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Good morning my “Walking with Jesus” friends,
As we continue following the chronology of the Christmas story, we’ve come to Luke 2:21-33 today.
The miraculous baby has been born and laid in a manger. Shepherds have come, seen Him and spread the word through Bethlehem and returned to their sheep. None of the Gospel writers tell us anyone who heard the news from the shepherds came to see for themselves. I find that interesting… not even one, inquisitive person. What about our world today?
A full week passed. I assume during that time Joseph and Mary were able to accomplish their taxation registration, and I imagine Joseph sought and found some better accommodations for his wife and her baby. I doubt they spent more than a few nights in the ‘stable’, but of course I don’t know that for sure. We do know that when the Magi followed the star and finally found them, they were in a ‘house’ in Bethlehem. (Matt. 2:11)
Note please Luke 2:21 tells us on the 8th day after birth, the ‘identity’ ceremony took place in which the baby was circumcised and named. God had instituted this for His people, way back in Genesis 17 when He made the covenant with Abraham. “This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you… every male among you shall be circumcised… it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. For generations to come, every male among you who is 8 days old must be circumcised…” (Gen. 17:10-12) And so it has been for almost 4000 years. This irreversible mark identified the baby a direct descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, a member of the ‘chosen people of God’.
Also that day the baby was given His name. . .‘Jesus’. It means ‘savior’, ‘deliverer’, ‘redeemer’. For Mary and Joseph, they had no choice. Both of them had been instructed by an angel to give the miraculous baby that name, “…because He will save His people from their sins” the angel had told Joseph. Mary had been told He would “…reign over the house of Jacob forever, His kingdom would never end.” Thus Jesus was so named because He would both deliver His people from their bondage, and He would reign as their king! Of course Jesus made it clear it was our bondage to sin, not to Rome, from which He delivers us, and His kingdom was not a political or military kingdom.
Between verse 21 & 22 there’s a gap of 33 days, as specified by the law given in Leviticus 12. “On the eighth day (after birth) the boy is to be circumcised. Then the woman must wait 33 days to be purified from her bleeding. When the days of her purification are over, she is to bring to the priest… a lamb… for a sin offering… if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and one for a sin offering.” And therefore we see in Luke 2:22 “Joseph and Mary took Him (Jesus) to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord… and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the law of the Lord…” Isn’t it great when we see the connection between Old & New Testaments?
Luke 2:25-35 give us the account of a remarkable rendezvous that is Holy Spirit orchestrated. Do you see that in vs 27? As you read about Simeon, what strikes you my friends? “Righteous and devout” are very strong descriptors aren’t they? Can it be said of you and me?
“…waiting for the consolation of Israel…” means Simeon was one who prayed diligently and watched for the signs that God was coming to the rescue of His people Israel and would console them, bringing relief to their misery, as He promised Moses in Exodus 3:7,8 when they met at the burning bush, and then accomplished through the plagues and ultimately Pharaoh’s freedom of the slaves.
Do you see the promise God had made to Simeon in vs. 26, “…that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” You’ve read that many times, I’m sure. What does it mean? The word “Christ”, of course means Messiah. So God was promising that Simeon would see God’s provided Messiah before the end of his life.
In vs. 27 we find yet another miracle in the Christmas story. It appears Simeon had not planned to go up to the Temple that day. Yet the Holy Spirit of God, with whom Simeon was obviously very familiar, moved so strongly in Simeon’s heart, that he set aside whatever else he had planned for that day and went to the Temple, with his eyes and ears open, alert for why God sent him there. Can you imagine the rendezvous which occurred when he saw Joseph and Mary walk in with their 40 day old infant?
Now we know the Temple courts were always filled with many people, similar to the area around the “western wall” in Jerusalem today. And perhaps there were several couples with infants. So how did Simeon find Joesph & Mary in the crowd? I believe he was directed by the Holy Spirit, and look at what happened… “Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God saying: “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)
If you’d like to dig a little deeper, turn back and read 2 Samuel 7. King David expressed a desire to build a proper dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant and worship of God, but God sent the prophet Nathan back to David with an important message about God’s promise to David and his royal family. David was so moved that he went before God and spoke a remarkable response that included this name of God “Sovereign LORD” 8 times in a few paragraphs. It’s well worth a few moments to read. Simeon uses the same name for God here and I suspect he had in mind, 2 Samuel 7.
It’s obvious Simeon is convinced the child Mary & Joseph have presented to him is none other than the long awaited, God sent Messiah! The ‘consolation of Israel’ has been born and was being presented to God that day! Simeon’s life long dream had been realized and he was now ready to die in peace. But he also looked forward to what this child would accomplish, BOTH for Gentiles and Jews!
This is now the second time an announcement has been made over Jesus, that He is both Christ for the Jews and Savior for all peoples in the world. The first time was the angelic announcement to the shepherds “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for ALL the people. Today… a Savior has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord…” (Luke 2:10,11).
Remember Dr. Luke is writing primarily for the Gentiles in the world, and once again he emphasizes that Christmas is all inclusive! God sent His Son Jesus to our world through the gate of the Jewish world… Jerusalem, the Temple, Jewish ancestry to king David, but God also made sure the scope of Jesus’ reach would include ALL the world, all peoples, in every place, through all generations. That is why Jesus so often used words like “whoever believes in Me” or “For God so loved the world…”.
How about if we just stay in the Temple with Simeon, Mary, Joseph and infant Jesus for the rest of today? Tomorrow we’ll consider the last person we meet in the Christmas story, a remarkable woman who has spent several decades in the Temple just praying, worshiping and waiting for this moment! Soak in the wonder of this moment… history is being made. “Emmanuel”…God is with us. What difference is that making for you today my friends?
Have a comment or question about today’s chapter? I’m ready to hear from you, contact me here.
Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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