That which preceded by nearly six weeks the adoration in the Temple was the fulfilling of the rite of circumcision for Jesus.
The instance of the circumcising. “When eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child” (Luke 2:21). A Jewish boy was to be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. The eighth day was the best day. Medical science has learned that on the eighth day of the new born male child, the blood clotting and infection fighting agents in the blood are at their combined best. When God gave the command to circumcise, He did not choose the eighth day randomly.
The importance of the circumcising. “When eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child” (Luke 2:21). The order for circumcision was given to the Jews through Abraham. Circumcision made the Jewish boy a member of the Israelite community. If one was not circumcised, he was excluded from national privileges.
The identity at the circumcising. “His name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb” (Luke 2:21). It was a custom with the Jews to name their boys when they were circumcised. We noted this custom in the naming of John the Baptist in the first chapter of Luke.
· First, the order given before birth for His naming. Our text makes known the fact that the name Jesus was not one Joseph and Mary selected but one they were told to give the babe. Thus in naming the child, Joseph and Mary, like Zacharias and Elisabeth in the naming of John the Baptist, obeyed God. As we noted in the previous chapter, the name meant Savior and was thus a very appropriate name.
· Second, the others named before their birth. Jesus was one of six people in the Bible who were given names from heaven before they were born. The other five people were Ishmael (Genesis 16:11), Isaac (Genesis 17:19), Josiah (I Kings 13:2), Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1), and John the Baptist (Luke 1:13).
2. The Presentation for the Adoration (Luke 2:22–24)
That which helped to prompt the adoration of Christ was the faithful fulfilling of the law by Joseph and Mary regarding her purification rites and the presenting of Christ after His birth.
The practice in the presentation. “When the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord” (Luke 2:22). According to the law of Moses a new mother had to fulfill the rite of purification after having a baby. A male child required forty days before the rite could be observed (Leviticus 12:2–4). A female child required eighty days. All of this involved the presenting the child at the Temple which was part of the required ritual of the law of Moses. Joseph and Mary obediently followed this practice.
The place in the presentation. “They brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord” (Luke 2:22). Bringing to Jerusalem meant they brought Christ to the Temple. This was required because it was at the Temple where the sacrifices were made in regard to the purification ritual.
The purpose in the presentation. “To present him to the Lord” (Luke 2:22). All the firstborn of Israel were to be presented to the Lord with a sacrifice. This was done in view of the fact that all the Levites were taken as priests to God instead of the firstborn of every family. Originally God ordered all the firstborn of every family be given to Him (Exodus 13:2), but later the entire tribe of Levi was selected in place of the firstborn (Numbers 3:11–13) to be the priests. When those outside the Levite tribe had a firstborn, they had to fulfill this rite.
The poverty in the presentation. “To offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” (Luke 2:24). This describes the sacrifice Joseph and Mary made in the presentation and it spoke of their poverty. They could not afford a lamb so they offered the birds. The law said, “If she [the mother] be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles [turtledoves], or two young pigeons” (Leviticus 12:8). Christ was not born into wealth but into poverty. But His poverty was for our spiritual wealth. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (II Corinthians 8:9).
3. The Prophet in the Adoration (Luke 2:25–35)
Two people gave much adoration to Christ in the Temple. The first was an elderly prophet named Simeon.
The character of the prophet. The adoration of Christ is enhanced by the fact that the ones giving the adoration were people of great character.
· First, his ward. “There was a man in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:25). Simeon used the advantage of living in Jerusalem to visit the Temple. Spiritual advantages create spiritual responsibilities.
· Second, his walk. “Just and devout” (Luke 2:25). This is a twofold description of Simeon. “Just” speaks of his relationship with man. “Devout” speaks of his relationship with God.
· Third, his waiting. “Waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25). The word “waiting” here speaks of expectation. Many Israelites were in expectation at this time about the coming of the Messiah. As an example, “The people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not” (Luke 3:15). The word “consolation” speaks of comfort. It is a good word for Christ, for no one brings comfort like Jesus Christ.
· Fourth, his wisdom. “It was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:26). Simeon’s wisdom came from the Holy Spirit whose business is to inform mankind about Christ (John 16:13,14). Simeon’s revelation was unique in that it was limited to Simeon.
· Fifth, his worship. “He came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus … then took he him up in his arms and blessed God” (Luke 2:27,28). Three aspects about worship are here.
· (1) The prompting to worship. The Holy Spirit led him to the Temple, the place of worship. As we noted above, the Holy Spirit does not lead to places of amusement and commercialism when it is time to worship.
· (2) The profit in worship. “Then took he him up in his arms.” Worship brings great reward, and Simeon, by coming to the Temple to worship, met the Christ child, a great blessing indeed.
· (3) The praise in worship. “Blessed God.” The word translated “blessed” here gives us our English word eulogy. Simeon glorified and praised God in the Temple. When your affections are upon Jesus Christ, you will praise God. The lack of honor for God in our country reveals our lack of love and respect for Jesus Christ.
The comments of the prophet. Here we examine the comments which Simeon made as a result of seeing Jesus.
· First, the segments of his comments. The comments of Simeon are given in two different segments (Luke 2:28–32 and Luke 2:34,35) which are divided by the verse (Luke 2:33) which speaks of Joseph’s and Mary’s reaction to the comments. Each segment begins with “blessed.” The first section praises God, but the second segment blesses man. The second “blessed” is translated from a different word than the first “blessed.” The second “blessed” means to bestow a blessing.
· Second, the subject of his comments. The subject of the comments in both segments is Jesus Christ. He is the main theme of the song. Simeon’s understanding of and affection for Christ was far different than the religious leaders.
· Third, the satisfaction in his comments. “Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace” (Luke 2:29). Having seen Christ, Simeon was ready to depart his life, for Christ was the zenith of blessings. This statement is the source of the “Nunc Dimittis” (“Now … depart”) name for this song.
· Fourth, the Savior in the comments. “Mine eyes have seen thy salvation” (Luke 2:30). Here is Simeon’s confession of faith. He is confessing that Christ is the Savior.
· Fifth, the Sovereign in the comments. “Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people” (Luke 2:31). God is the Sovereign in this matter of salvation. It is His plan. You cannot be saved any other way.
· Sixth, the scope in the comments. “A light to lighten the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32). Simeon saw what many Israelites did not see, namely, that Christ would bring salvation to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Soul salvation in Christ is offered to all.
· Seventh, the splendor in the comments. “The glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:32). Christ is Israel’s Messiah and will bring to Israel their greatest glory. But thus far Israel has rejected Christ which is the root of their troubles.
· Eighth, the stone in the comments. “This child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel” (Luke 2:34). This statement begins the second segment of Simeon’s speech. The word “stone” is not in the text, but the word “set” means to place, to be laid, to be set down and reminds us of the stone reference to Christ. The substance of this text is that Christ is both a stumbling block and stepping stone. Reject Him and you will stumble; receive Him and you will rise (cp. I Peter 2:6–8).
· Ninth, the sign in the comments. “This child … for a sign which shall be spoken against” (Luke 2:34). The word translated “sign” is also translated “miracle” in Scriptures. Christ gave great evidence of Who He was, but He was rejected. There is no excuse for this rejection.
· Tenth, the sorrow in the comments. “Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul” (Luke 2:35). Mary experienced much sorrow because of Christ, especially at the end when He was crucified. She stood at the cross and watched (John 19:25,26). What agony to see your child crucified.
· Eleventh, the secrets in the comments. “The thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:35). The part about the sword and Mary is parenthetical. This part continues the statement concerning Christ as a sign. Christ will expose the secrets of every heart. “Men will be judged by … their thoughts concerning Christ; are they for him or are they for his adversaries” (Henry).
· Twelfth, the surprise about his comments. “Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him” (Luke 2:33). They could have been surprised that Simeon knew all of this, but the real meaning is that they were surprised at all the wonderful things said of Christ. Joseph and Mary had been Divinely informed about Christ, but it still caused them to marvel when great truths were revealed about Him.
4. The Prophetess in the Adoration (Luke 2:36–38)
The second person to give adoration to the Christ child in the Temple was a woman who was a prophetess.
The person in the prophetess. “There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of great age … a widow of about fourscore and four years” (Luke 2:36,37). Some significant details are given about this woman who met up with Joseph and Mary and the Christ child in the Temple.
· First, her name. “Anna” (Luke 2:36). The name is the same as “Hannah” (I Samuel 1:2) the mother of Samuel. The name means “grace.” Anna lived her name.
· Second, her age. “She was of great age” (Luke 2:36). Anna did not cease her devotion to God as many elderly do. Age may keep you from doing many things you used to do physically, but it should not diminish your spiritual devotion to God.
· Third, her marriage. “She … had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity … was a widow of about fourscore and four years” (Luke 2:36,37). She did not live long with her husband before he died. Thus she knew sorrow early in life but that did not diminish her devotion to God. Trials are not to drive us from God but to God.
· Fourth, her purity. “Virginity” (Luke 2:36). Anna had good morals; she was virtuous and lived a holy life in her younger years before marriage, during marriage, and during her widowhood.
· Fifth, her calling. “Prophetess” (Luke 2:36). Being a prophetess did not mean Anna was in the foretelling ministry, but rather she was involved in forthtelling—predominantly a teacher.
· Sixth, her heritage. “Daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher” (Luke 2:36). Being of the tribe of Asher was significant inasmuch as Asher was part of the “lost ten tribes” who, for the most part, did not return to Israel from captivity. Her family returning showed great devotion to God. Obviously Anna was raised in a godly home which shows in her character.
The piety of the prophetess. Anna was a very devout person. “Departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day” (Luke 2:37).
· First, her steadfastness. “Departed not from the temple … served God … night and day.” Some think Anna was given a place to stay in the Temple because of her devotion to God. Whether or not that was so, the emphasis here is upon her steadfastness in service to the Lord. She was not a short-termer like so many church members are today. She would not miss any services.
· Second, her self-denial. “Fastings.” Her fastings were not to gain special favor from God, but they were self-denial to be able to serve God better. We see little self-denial for the Lord’s work today. Self-denial shows up mostly in business, sports, and other worldly achievements.
· Third, her supplications. “Prayers night and day.” Anna spent much time in prayer. It was considerably more than a five-minute devotional popular in our day.
The providence of the prophetess. “She coming in that instant” (Luke 2:38). Providence worked for Anna so that she was able to see the Christ child when He was in the Temple. Just as she was coming into the Temple, there was Jesus. Providence works for those who are dedicated to the Lord.
The praise by the prophetess. “She … gave thanks likewise unto the Lord” (Luke 2:38). The words “gave thanks likewise” are translated from one Greek word which means to praise, to agree. Anna agreed with Simeon in his praise about Christ. So she “likewise” gave thanks which is praise to God.
The proclamation of the prophetess. “Spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). After seeing Jesus, Anna spoke a message of blessing to others. When you have been blessed of God (as Anna was in seeking Jesus), you will be able to bless others. When you honor Christ, you will be able to help others. Anna’s message honored Christ and helped (here it great encouraged) others.
· First, the subject in her proclamation. “Spake of him.” The theme of Anna’s speaking was Jesus Christ. If Christ is not in our message, we cannot help people. Many pulpits today do not honor Christ and leave Him completely out of the message.
· Second, the society for her proclamation. “To all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” There was a group of people in Jerusalem who had not departed from the faith and were looking for the Messiah to appear. What encouraging news would it be to them to know that He had come. Thus Anna would be a great blessing to this group by her proclamation about Christ.
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