Two unrelated people in the Bible were lead by God to be at the same place in time. It was the 8th day of Jesus' life on earth. The following is a commentary by David Guzik (www.enduringword.com) on Luke 2:21-38 that gives great insight into God's announcement of Israel's only Messiah and the Gentile's only hope. This scripture is a fact, a promise, and a warning.
Word's in red are the scripture and all else is commentary by Mr. Guzik.
Jesus’ presentation in the temple.
1. (21-24) The circumcision and presentation of Jesus.
And when eight days were
completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus,
the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 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 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who 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."
a. And when eight days were completed:
This was done so Jesus might fulfill every aspect of the law (Leviticus
12:2-3). It also shows that Joseph and Mary were truly devout,
obedient parents. They obeyed God’s command in Leviticus 12, so Jesus
obeyed it also.
i. The training of our children in the ways of the Lord means that we should be going the same way.
b. Circumcision . . . the days of her purification: The circumcision and purification ceremonies were necessary as a reminder that we are all born in sin (Psalm 51:5). Jesus could
have been excused because He was not born in sin. Yet, we see Him even
as a baby, identifying with sinners, as He did at His baptism and on
the cross.
i. The correct reading of Luke 2:22 is "now when the days of their purification . . . were completed." Jesus was identified with sinners even as a baby
ii. "Let us now speak first of the purification. Luke makes it apply both to Mary and to Christ: for the pronoun of them, can have no reference whatever to Joseph." (Calvin)
c. A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons:
Also, their offering (two birds, not a lamb) shows that Joseph and Mary
were not wealthy. Leviticus 12:8 says the offering after childbirth
was to be a bird and a lamb, but if the family could not afford to
sacrifice a lamb, they could present two birds.
d. This no doubt happened before the wise men came from the east
(Matthew 2:1-12). Mary and Joseph would not have returned to Jerusalem
after being warned by the angel (Matthew 2:13), and they would not have
offered only two birds after receiving the rich gifts from the wise men
(Matthew 2:11).
i. We see that Mary and Joseph were poor here, but the Lord provided
their needs abundantly through the gifts of the wise men. God always
provides!
2. (25-32) A promise fulfilled to Simeon.
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.
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. 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, he took Him up in his arms
and blessed God and said: "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart
in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation
which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel."
a. Waiting for the Consolation of Israel:
Simeon may have known that there were rumors of something happening
regarding the coming of the Messiah. The news of John the Baptist’s
birth and its meaning was widely publicized (Luke 1:65), and the
shepherds who heard the angelic announcement may have kept temple
flocks, and they may have reported what happened among the people of the
temple.
b. So he came by the Spirit into the temple: It was not rumors, but the Spirit
who led him into the temple on that day. Simeon was a man who knew how
to be led by the Holy Spirit, both in hearing God’s promise to him and
being prompted to go to the temple at the right time.
c. He took Him up in his arms:
Simeon’s prophecy is filled with love for his Savior; and he hardly
knows Jesus! We who know so much more about Him should love Him even
more.
d. According to Your word: Simeon now had the peace of seeing God’s promise fulfilled in his life.
e. You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation:
It’s as if Simeon was commanded by God to keep a lonely watch through
the night until he saw the sun come up; here is God’s sunrise, and
because Jesus has come, Simeon can be relieved of his watch.
f. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles: The amazing thing about Simeon’s prophecy is that it shows that this light is for the Gentiles also. The salvation of Jesus began with Israel, but was always to be extended beyond Israel.
3. (33-35) A promise and a warning from Simeon.
And Joseph and His mother
marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 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 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul
also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
a. Joseph and His mother marveled: We can imagine their combination of joy and surprise to see how God has touched the hearts of others
with an understanding of their Son is. No matter how well you know
Jesus, there is something special about seeing someone else come to know
Him.
b. For the fall and rising of many:
This is shown in the way that Peter repents, but Judas despairs; in
that one thief blasphemes, the other believes. Jesus is like a magnet
that is attractive to some, but others are repelled from Him.
i. And a sign which will be spoken against: Sign is literally "a target that people shoot at." Jesus would surely be the target of much evil.
c. A sword will pierce through your own soul also:
It was important for Mary to know that mothering the Messiah would not
be all sweetness and light. It was both a great privilege and a great
burden.
i. Possibly no other human agonized as much over Jesus’ rejection and
suffering as His mother did. This was not only because of the natural
love of a mother, but also because His rejection was her rejection.
Wonderfully, His vindication was hers also.
4. (36-38) Anna’s testimony to the Redeemer.
Now there was one, Anna, a
prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a
great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with
fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave
thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for
redemption in Jerusalem.
a. Anna, a prophetess: We don’t know in what capacity Anna was a prophetess. Perhaps it was in the way that she brought forth this specific word about Jesus.
b. Who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day: This godly woman served God with total devotion. Anna’s close walk with God is shown by her love for Jesus, and her desire to tell others about Jesus (spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption).
i. Again, Anna knew almost nothing about Jesus, compared to what we know about Him - yet see how she loved Him!
