BS1N - JESUS GETS PRESENTED AT THE TEMPLE
When did Mary and Joseph bring Jesus up to the temple?
Luke 2:21-22
No doubt they had rested at Bethlehem for a week and now it was time to travel the 6 miles to go into Jerusalem to the temple. According to the law (Leviticus 12:1-3) there were two things to attend to: the mother’s purification and the baby’s dedication.
According to Exodus 13:2, WHO was to be regarded as “holy unto the Lord”?
This meant that the first-born would take up the office of priest for the family and be set apart for the service of God. If the father became sick or died his duties for the family would devolve to the first-born son. Later on, God had those duties transferred to the “tribe of Levi” (see Numbers 8:13-18) but it was still proper to present the first-born child to God in the temple with an offering.
Jesus was the first-born son of Mary and so on this day he would be dedicated as such. At the same time what would they also do?
Luke 2:24
If a couple was able, they were to offer an unblemished lamb for their sin-offering. The fact that Mary and Joseph offered two doves showed their poverty.
We might raise the question here as to why Mary and Joseph needed to offer this sin-offering for Jesus? He had no sin nature like the rest of us have inherited. It’s the same answer Jesus would later give John the Baptist when he came to John to be baptized. John had protested His request. Who was he to baptize the pure and holy “Lamb of God”? And how did Jesus answer?
Matthew 3:15
Unless Jesus had been circumcised and presented in the temple, he would have had no further usefulness amongst the Jews. He wouldn’t have been admitted to synagogues for example and this would mean no access to reach people. He wouldn’t have been regarded as the Messiah. And therefore, Mary and Joseph with their son, yielded to the laws in place and therefore set an example.
And now we come to the miraculous part of this story. What do we learn about an aged man named Simeon who lived in Jerusalem?
Luke 2:25
It was common at that time to swear by “the Consolation of Israel”, meaning that the Messiah was about to come. The Jews were an oppressed people and they were eagerly waiting for this “Consolation of Israel” to come.
What had Simeon been promised by God?
Luke 2:26
What made Simeon decide to go to the temple at the exact time that Mary and Joseph were entering with Jesus?
Luke 2:27
We don’t know how the Holy Spirit informed Simeon that this was the time. It might have come as a dream, maybe a voice, or just a silent suggestion. But we know from Luke 2:25 that Simeon walked close to God and God was able to communicate with him. This is often how the Holy Spirit leads us – just an inner voice that says, “go here, or go over there”, “say something to ____.” Those who walk in partnership with God are led by Him in the present and then at times given insight into the future.
Simeon came into the temple where public worship was performed – into the court of the women --- at just the exact time that Mary and Joseph had come in.
The always expectant Simeon, on heightened alert for the Messiah, recognized him right away. No doubt the Holy Spirit was confirming that in his spirit. What did he do?
Luke 2:28
And now flows from Simeon a lovely hymn/prayer preserved by Mary and later told to Luke.
Luke 2:29-32
Simeon speaks like a watchman who has finally seen what he has been expecting and asks to be relieved of his post. (Luke 2:30) Simeon has just seen the fulfillment of what Isaiah prophesied centuries ago.
Isaiah 52:10
Who was Simeon’s prophesy given for?
Luke 2:31
And who were the “all people” to include?
Luke 2:32
This would be one of the hardest “pills to swallow” for the Jews at the time Jesus came. They had an exclusive society and wanted no part of the Gentile world. But that is exactly what Isaiah 52:10 was predicting and now Simeon was confirming that Jesus would be for every person: Jew and Gentile, men and women, rich and poor, child and adult. ALL would be welcomed in God’s big family – and that includes you and I today!
How did Mary and Joseph react to Simeon’s proclamation?
Luke 2:33
Now Simeon blesses Mary and Joseph and then gives only Mary a prophesy. First, he tells her what Jesus is destined for.
Luke 2:34
This prophesy talks about the falling and rising of many in Israel. Remember that the Jews were expecting the Messiah to be a literal “prince amongst men” who would deliver them from the Romans. But this was not the case, and so they rejected Jesus and fell to their own destruction. The self-righteous were brought low rather than raised to new heights. For over 3 centuries the name of Jesus of Nazareth and his followers was a name of shame. They were hated and despised not only by the Romans but also by the Jews. Jesus became what Isaiah had predicted: A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.
Isaiah 8:14
Although many would be ruined at Christ’s coming, it was also going to be true that many others would be happy and saved. The poor and humble willing to receive Jesus would rise from their sins and ascend to a better life followed by an eternal life with God.
Simeon also says in Luke 2:34 that Jesus would be “a sign” that is spoken against. A sign was a conspicuous object. And that’s what Jesus became ---- a sign of contempt and rejection.
What specifically did Simeon say would happen to Mary?
Luke 2:35
The early days of family life for Mary were probably the happiest ones. Yet, her heart must have been filled with dread and foreboding at times when she thought of Simeon’s prophesy. Later, during her public ministry days, Mary must have experienced great anxiety as she watched the growing jealousy, hatred, and unbelief towards her son. At the end we see Mary standing by the cross, witnessing the Resurrection…..and then silence.
Mary was forewarned about the trials she would face and was sustained by the strong faith that God had given her.
Luke 2:35 also predicts that the “thoughts of many hearts would be revealed”. Both the silent and blatant treatment of Jesus with contempt would reveal how much the people hated holiness. Jesus, then and now, brings out the true attitude of the heart.
Simeon’s words had all been exactly fulfilled at the time of Jesus. But beyond that, the fulfillment is still going on today. Thousands still reject God’s Son and fall into ruin. They deny Jesus, speak evil of Him, and if physically present they would crucify him again. At the same time, thousands are restored, renewed, justified, and rise up to life and peace.
And now as if to wrap up this special day at the temple with a bow, Luke tells us of another person whom God had brought into the temple at the exact same time as Mary and Joseph were presenting Jesus. Who was this person?
Luke 2:36-37
Anna, like Simeon, had a communication from God that this was the “One”. This was the Messiah. And so, what two things did Anna do?
Luke 2:38
Notice that after thanking God, she immediately began to talk with other seekers about Jesus. And that is really what all witnessing is. It’s simply leading others to Jesus so He can take them from there.
In our next study we’ll leave Matthew and Luke’s account and look at how the Apostle Paul contrasted Jesus Christ with Adam to help us understand why it mattered that Christ came.
Next Study: BS1O- Death in Adam, Life in Christ