THE GOSPEL reading for the First Sunday of Christmas defines Jesus as a child who, though the Son of God... clearly possessed flesh and blood humanity. No mere figment of imagination, Jesus’ participation in family is defined here as having much wider meaning than most people of that time could have ever thought possible. We read…
And
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 (as it is written in the
law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the
Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in
the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name
was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation
of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by
the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s
Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the
parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of
the law, he took 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 in the
presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the
Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what
was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his
mother.., “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel,
and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own
soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter
of Phanu-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with
her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was
eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and
prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God,
and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
And when they had performed everything
according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city,
Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the
favor of God was upon him. (Luke
2:22-40)
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The Gospel of Luke: New Cambridge Bible Commentary By Amy-Jill Levine & Ben Witherington, III |
Long
Watching and Waiting
Our text from Luke described events for the child
Jesus and his family that occurred in keeping the traditions of the Law.
As required by the Law, within eight days Jesus was circumcised and named. This profound act set the
child apart first as a Jew, and also as an individual within Jewish society. Jesus was
also presented as first born by Joseph, and as it was written... (see Exodus 13:2, Numbers 18:15-16). Also note...
The
Lord said to Moses, “Say
to the people of Israel, ‘If a woman conceives, and bears a male child, then
she shall be unclean seven days; as at the time of her menstruation, she shall
be unclean.’ And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin
shall be circumcised. Then she shall continue for thirty-three
days in the blood of her purifying; she shall not touch any hallowed thing, nor
come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed.
(Leviticus 12:1-5)
Therefore forty
days later the purification of Mary was accomplished at the temple, Until that time expired, Mary was considered
to be separate and unclean while in menses. In fact, if travel was needed a Jewish woman of that era would be required to ride
an oxen. The animal had a wide
back so that menstrual blood would not reach the ground and soil a sepulcher.
When the forty days had past for a mother, those who were sufficient in worldly goods would often sacrifice a lamb. In those days, a lamb would cost about one dollar and seventy-five cents. If the woman was poor, however, the price of either doves or pigeon would suffice. These last were available at a cost of about sixteen cents each.
However... any offering made... whether large of small, would not be done personally by the woman. She was not allowed entry into the temple. She could not personally bring the creatures in, but would drop the purchase price to be given into one of the thirteen trumpet-shaped chests located in the Court of the Women. We note that it is pleasant indeed that her son Jesus would change these things for the better, eliminating the way women were excluded in that male-dominated society.
When the forty days had past for a mother, those who were sufficient in worldly goods would often sacrifice a lamb. In those days, a lamb would cost about one dollar and seventy-five cents. If the woman was poor, however, the price of either doves or pigeon would suffice. These last were available at a cost of about sixteen cents each.
However... any offering made... whether large of small, would not be done personally by the woman. She was not allowed entry into the temple. She could not personally bring the creatures in, but would drop the purchase price to be given into one of the thirteen trumpet-shaped chests located in the Court of the Women. We note that it is pleasant indeed that her son Jesus would change these things for the better, eliminating the way women were excluded in that male-dominated society.
Subsequent it
was during the performance of these lawful, traditional rituals that Mary,
Joseph and others with them received further revelation. Shortly after the Rite
of Purification was completed, Simeon (a name meaning “sign”) noted the child’s
presence in the courtyard. Simeon was a righteous and devout man. He had practiced
strict adherence to the Law. Taking his faith very seriously and looking after
his spiritual condition, he was seen widely as one who walked constantly with
God by the power of the Holy Spirit. In this capacity his prophetic statements
were profoundly revered.
Through Simeon, the announcement came that the Light of God’s love had arrived. Jesus, who was a child already born and given to Israel, was prophetically thus said by Simeon to expand the faith into the Gentile nations. Through the Messiah then, Luke stressed... Israel thus would attain its true and highest glory.
Through Simeon, the announcement came that the Light of God’s love had arrived. Jesus, who was a child already born and given to Israel, was prophetically thus said by Simeon to expand the faith into the Gentile nations. Through the Messiah then, Luke stressed... Israel thus would attain its true and highest glory.
The prophecy of
Simeon, which was often read or spoken in the infant Christian household churches of
Luke’s day, therefore reinforced the acceptance of Greeks, Romans and other
nationalities into the faith community. These were solidly anchored by Luke’s
writing as participants in the mission of the Church. They participated in the
receiving of “holy things for holy
people”.
At the time of
that first temple visit, Joseph and Mary marveled at what was said by Simeon. But
to Mary, he gave warning.. as the prophet revealed more of the child’s
Messianic role. He foretold that a broad sword’s wound described Mary’s future deep
and painful pang. It was indeed the very personal pain of Jesus' crucifixion that would to be
felt by her. Her son would be nailed to the cross for the salvation of
believers. This was the strife and the result foretold by Simeon in scripture…
And
he will become a sanctuary, and a stone of offense, and a rock of stumbling to
both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And
many shall stumble thereon; they shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared
and taken.” (Isaiah 8:13-16)
This
Child!
Luke also stressed that the elderly prophetess Anna then appeared.
She announced the child Jesus to all who attended with her within that courtyard. Here we
must note that this was not a public broadcast to the temple authorities. The
intent was not to inform the temple. The words were spoken directly to the
pious ones who had prayed daily with her in the courtyard. It was said especially to those
lowly who had long waited with her for the arrival of the Messiah.
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The Insanity of Obedience: Walking with Jesus in Tough Places By Nik Ripken with Barry Stricker |
That Mary and
Joseph took Jesus to the temple so that all “righteousness” should be fulfilled
puts these events on the same level of importance in Luke’s gospel as the later
baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. You see, as Jesus had told John during that later event,
that his baptism should happen so that “all righteousness should be fulfilled” so it was with this event. In
Luke then, this was the first of multiple testimonies to his readers that Jesus was raised
according to the Law, and none of the Mosiac tenets were broken. From that early time, the child Jesus
grew in favor before his family. He maintained the code of innocence
given as empowered by his heavenly Father. In this way the Messiah, having
fulfilled the Law in its entirety… and even yet having been crucified… could pay the
penalty not for his own waywardness… but instead he laid down his life to pay for our sinful disobedience
and separation from God.
Take note of that importance! This deliberate saving act of God was made through his only begotten Son, accomplishing holy satisfaction for our sin. To God be the glory! Such was the witness of Simeon, Anna... and here we read that Luke ...announced that the Messiah… the Deliverer… had come into the world. Indeed, on this day we consider again their words… and marvel.
May the Christ Child bring you prophetic knowledge.
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