Luke 2:21-35
21 And when eight days were completed so that it was time for His circumcision, He was also named Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days for their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, 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 that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what has been stated in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young doves.”
25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,
28 then he took Him in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 “Now, Lord, You are letting Your bond-servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all the peoples:
32 A light for revelation for the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.
34 And Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be opposed—
35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Child Jesus
Messiah born under the Law
Luke records the childhood of Jesus more thoroughly than the other three Gospel writers. On the eighth day, the Child was circumcised and named “Jesus (The Lord is salvation)” just as the angel had announced. That name foreshadowed Jesus’ mission as the Messiah. Jesus’ parents were people who faithfully obeyed the teachings of the Law. They went up to the temple in Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice. In such cases, the usual sacrifice was a lamb. However, for the poor, there was also a provision allowing “a pair of turtledoves or two young doves.” Since Joseph and Mary offered this, it shows that they were not wealthy. In this way, Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the Law. Galatians 4:4-5 contains the following description: “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters.” Jesus is the One who is able to save both the Jews under the Law and us, the Gentiles.
Simeon’s prophesy
There was a man named Simeon. He was a devout Jew who was waiting for “the consolation of Israel” (that is, the coming of the Messiah). Simeon, having been revealed by the Holy Spirit that Jesus was the promised Messiah, immediately began to praise God. The content of Simeon’s song is a celebration of the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant. God sent the Messiah just as He had promised. The salvation brought by the Messiah will not only be the glory of Israel but also become a light of revelation to the Gentiles. As a result, all people will come to experience God’s salvation. Finally, Simeon prophesies about the life of Jesus (v 33-35). The presence and message of Jesus will divide people into those who believe and those who do not. His end will be a death of suffering. It will be an event that pierces Mary’s heart. No one can remain neutral toward Jesus. How about you? Let us now receive the privilege of believing in Jesus and becoming children of God. And if you have already been made a child of God, let us willingly accept even suffering for the sake of Jesus.
Today's prayer
Holy God of Israel, I thank You for revealing to me the salvation that is the glory of Israel and the light of revelation to the Gentiles. Today, I reflect on the pain Mary experienced and I will pray. Please make me one who willingly accepts suffering for the sake of Jesus. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.