JESUS IS DEDICATED AND BLESSED IN THE TEMPLE – LUKE 2:21-38 Our Heavenly Father, Creator of all things and Master Teacher, we humbly come into Your presence to seek Your Holy Spirit to open our eyes to these Holy Scriptures. We earnestly pray for enlightenment as we study together, and we ask You, Father, to open our eyes to see the truths contained in these words. Open our minds to comprehend that which we are reading, and open our hearts to receive the message that You have for us. Finally, dear Father, we ask for the strength and courage to live our lives in a manner of the called, constantly giving You the glory, honor, and praise that You deserve. We claim these things in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Luke 2:21–23 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) According to Leviticus 12, forty days after birth, the firstborn male was to be dedicated totally and completely to the purposes and service of the Lord. Luke 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. Leviticus 12:6 states specifically that a lamb was to be brought as a sacrifice of purification, unless one was very poor. In that case, two turtledoves would be sacrificed. Mary and Joseph brought turtledoves not because they didn’t love God, but because they were poor. Some have taught that Mary and Joseph, based upon their financial standing, must have had a substandard walk with God because they were poor people. Yet Scripture knows nothing of that kind of theology. Luke 2:25 (a) And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon… Tradition says Simeon was one hundred thirteen years old. Certainly, there is reason to believe that he was well over one hundred years old. Luke 2:25 (b) …and the same man was just and devout… The word “just” means “dependable.” The word “devout” means “devotional.” What a combination. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it could be said of us that we are dependable with people and devotional toward God? Such was the case with our brother Simeon. Luke 2:25 (c)—27 (a) …waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple… When you look at Simeon carefully, you see a man of sensitivity. Simeon believed the whisper of the Holy Ghost in his heart that said he would not die until he saw his Messiah. Luke 2:27 (b)—32 …and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. Not only was Simeon a man of sensitivity, but he was also a man of flexibility. When told he would see the Messiah, images of pomp and splendor must have filled his imagination as he thought of One who was sure to throw off the yoke of Roman oppression as He entered the city of Jerusalem astride a powerful white stallion. But when Simeon followed the tugging of the Spirit into the temple, what did he see? A poor young carpenter, a teenage mother, and a tiny Baby. Yet Simeon was miraculously able to change his mental picture and perceive by faith that the Baby was indeed Messiah. Luke 2:33–35 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. A man of sensitivity, a man of flexibility, Simeon was also a man of honesty. “Mary,” he said, “your soul will be pierced.” And indeed it was.… “Don’t you know I must be about My Father’s business?” Jesus would ask her, the implication being that His relationship with His Father was more important than His relationship to her (see Luke 2:49). “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” Jesus would ask, the implication being that she was no more important to Him than were His disciples (see Matthew 12:48). “Woman, behold thy son!” she would hear her Son say as He bled and died on the rough wooden Cross of Calvary (John 19:26). Luke 2:36–38 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. After losing her husband, Anna could have become bitter. Instead, she became better and blessed. Rather than simply becoming old and fatigued, she kept about her such a high degree of vitality and spirituality that she was chosen singularly of all women to be the prophetess who recognized Jesus as Messiah. Why? I believe the text gives us three reasons.… Anna prayed to the Lord. She didn’t give herself over to bemoaning her loss. Rather, she said, “I’m going to use my single state as an opportunity to give myself to God completely and wholeheartedly.” Anna looked for the Lord. Like Simeon, she lived in the anticipation of the coming Messiah. Anna talked about the Lord. Not only did she worship like Simeon, but she spoke of Him to all that looked for redemption. So, too, if I am truly worshiping, I cannot help but witness and talk to people about the Lord. Have a blessed day!
Posted on: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 14:21:13 +0000
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