Luke 2:21-52
21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”),24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth
39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover.42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival.43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” 49 He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
What does the passage say?
V. 21-38 Eight days after his birth, Jesus was brought to the temple to be circumcised, according to the law. During the time at the temple, Mary and Joseph meets Simeon and Anna. There were two things in common with these people. 1) They were both devout to God and 2) they were preparing for the restoration of God’s kingdom.
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him” (v. 25 NRSV)
“She (Anna) never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At the moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” (v. 37-38 NRSV)
V. 39-40 Some might recall the birth story from Matthew, where the angel tells Joseph to flee to Egypt. Then some might ask, ‘how does this make sense, for this family to go back to Nazareth?’
When we are reading the Gospels, we need to remember that the Gospel writers had picked and chosen stories that will fit for the particular readers. Some stories have been used by all Gospels, while some were only described by an individual Gospel. The birth story of Jesus is longer and complex, in reality. The Gospel writers only pick events that will suit their audience. So both versions are true. We just need to understand it in a big picture.
Here is an example of how to understand what I am saying.
V. 41-52 When Jesus was a young child, we remember the story of how he remained in the temple. We remember how he said, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (v. 49 NRSV)
What does the passage say to you and me?
As we read through the story of the two persons, who were waiting for the restoration of the nation to be revealed, I was reminded of the story of Noah.
Although, there seemed to be no hope and reason for Noah to continue, what he was told to do, he endured and finished the task. In the same way, when Israel was under the reign of the Roman Empire, and there seems to be no hope of redemption, Simeon, and Anna, were faithful to their task; praying for the restoration of the nation.
I know and understand that it is a time for me to pray for the spiritual restoration of this generation. I know and understand it is a time for us to pray and fast, and completely rely on God. However, it is difficult to endure when I don’t seem to find it happening. That is why I would need more faith like Noah and these two prophets.
Lord, use me to pray and prepare your restoration.
Let’s Pray
Lord, We know that you have a plan of Spiritual restoration for this generation. Help us to be like Simeon and Anna, who depended on you when their surroundings didn’t reflect any sign of hope. Help us to endure in prayer, even though we don’t see things happening. Give us that faith, and help us to live accodring to that faith today.
In Christ, we pray, AMEN
What are your thoughts?
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