Topic: JESUS PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE
Text: Luke 2:22-35
2:22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
2:23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
2:24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
2:25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
2:26 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.
2:27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,
2:28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
2:29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;
2:30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
2:31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
2:32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
2:33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.
2:34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against
2:35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
STUDY:
Jesus was presented in the temple as a child. As required by Law, Joseph and Mary brought an offering for the associated sacrifices (Lev. 12:1-7). Many may have witnessed the presentation, but Simeon was singled out because “he was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” Simeon had received a revelation that he would not die until he had seen the expected Messiah. The Spirit also directed him to the temple at the presentation time. His declaration in verses 29-32,(“The Nunc Dimittis”), refers to the mission of Jesus to bring light and salvation to all people. In verse 34, he prophesied that Jesus was destined for the fall and rising of many people, and for a sign which would be spoken against. For Mary, Simeon predicted that a sword would pierce through her soul, probably a reference to the sacrificial suffering and crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:25).
May we learn to present our children to te Lord at an early age, and create an enabling environment for them to know the Lord (see 2 Tim.1:5). May we also emulate the devout character of Simeon, so that we can have a positive impact on the lives of people around us!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me to have a positive influence on people around me.
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