Introduction
The text explained what happened after the birth of Jesus Christ.
I. Jesus Receives Circumcision (v. 21)
Jesus, after being born into this world, received circumcision like any other Jewish child, on the eighth day. It was likely Joseph who performed the circumcision. Being in a foreign place, unlike John, there might not have been relatives or neighbors present. He was named Jesus as the angel had instructed (v. 21). Circumcision wasn't just a ritual; it was a sign of the covenant God made with Abraham for all male descendants of Israel. Circumcision was a sign of being accepted into God's people by cutting the foreskin. Being descendants of Israel didn’t automatically make them God's people by birth; they had to receive circumcision to become God's people.
Even when Gentiles converted to Judaism, they received circumcision. Hence, circumcision was seen as a sign of accepting non-God's people into God's people. This was why when the Apostle Paul preached the gospel that faith in Jesus Christ made one a child of God, Jewish legalists emphasized that even if one believes in Jesus Christ, one must be circumcised to become God's people. However, Paul argued that those receiving circumcision were obliged to observe the entire law, while Jesus Christ fulfilled and completed the law, thus faith in Jesus Christ alone was enough.
However, Jesus, being the Son of God, didn’t need circumcision. Yet, He obeyed the law from the beginning by undergoing circumcision. Regarding Jesus' circumcision, Paul explained, "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons." (Galatians 4:4-5). Jesus underwent circumcision to free those under the curse of law, placing Himself under the yoke of law to liberate those bound by it.
II. Purification Ceremony (vv. 22-24)
Joseph and Mary diligently followed all of God's laws. When the time came, according to Moses' law, they went to the Jerusalem temple to perform two ceremonies (v. 22). One was for Mary's purification after giving birth. Leviticus 12 outlines the purification ceremony for mothers. Women who gave birth were considered ritually unclean due to the flow of blood: 40 days after giving birth to a son and 80 days after giving birth to a daughter, they were restricted from contact with others. This practice aimed to protect the mother and baby from infections. After the designated period, the mother went to the temple, offering a lamb as a burnt offering and either a dove or a young pigeon for a sin offering for her purification. However, if the mother couldn't afford a lamb, she could offer two doves or tow young pigeons - one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. Due to their poverty, Joseph and Mary could only afford doves as their offering (v. 24).
The second ceremony was the dedication of the firstborn male child, as mentioned in Exodus 13:12 (v. 23). Baby Jesus, being a descendant of David, belonged to the tribe of Judah, not the Levitical tribe. Therefore, according to Numbers 3:47, Joseph and Mary had to pay five shekels as a redemption price for Jesus.
If Jesus had been born in Galilee, it's possible that they might not have been able to fulfill all these rituals. However, because Jesus was born in Bethlehem, near Jerusalem, they were able to observe all the rituals prescribed by the Law. This, too, indicates God's providence in fulfilling every aspect of the Law.
III. Simeon's Praise (vv. 25-32)
It was during the time of the purification ceremony that Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus to the temple. There they encountered a man named Simeon. Simeon was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him (v. 25). He was a blameless follower of all God's laws and a humble worshiper of God. The consolation of Israel refers to the coming of the Messiah. Simeon awaited the comfort that the Messiah would bring by delivering them from suffering.
And it is said that the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon. The Holy Spirit resting upon him didn't mean dwelling within him as it does in believers today but indicated that the Holy Spirit came upon Simeon, moving him to share God's message. Through the Holy Spirit's presence, Simeon received a revelation that he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ (:26). 'Lord's Christ' refers to the anointed Messiah by God.
Perhaps the Holy Spirit gave Simeon a strong desire to enter the temple at that moment. Then he entered the temple and met Jesus' parents coming into the temple holding the baby (v. 27). Finally recognizing God's Son in the world through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Simeon took the baby in his arms. Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, he began to praise God (v. 28). Look at verses 29~32. “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Simeon addressed God as Sovereign Lord, recognizing His authority. He felt ready to die in peace now because what the Holy Spirit had said to Simeon, that he would not die until he saw the Messiah, had come true. Simeon had not only seen the salvation of the Lord, the Savior, but also enjoyed the honor of embracing the Messiah.
Simeon expressed that Jesus Christ was "a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." He remarkably proclaimed that the Messiah's salvation extended to all, including the Gentiles. This revelation through Simeon wasn't the first of its kind; Isaiah the prophet had previously mentioned similar things multiple times. Isaiah 9:2 speaks of those who walked in darkness seeing a great light, symbolizing the Gentiles. Eventually, the Gentiles would see the great light - the salvation brought by the Messiah. Therefore, Isaiah in passages like Isaiah 42:6, 49:6, 51:4 referred to the Messiah as the "light for the Gentiles" or the "light for all nations."
As Simeon revealed, Jesus is the Savior of the whole world. There is no sinner in this world who cannot be saved. Therefore, it's our responsibility to share the gospel with everyone around us, guiding them onto the path of salvation.
IV. Joseph and Mary's Response (vv. 33-35)
Joseph and Mary were marveled at Simeon's praise (v. 33). Up until then, through angels, Zechariah and Elizabeth, and the shepherds in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary had heard much about baby Jesus. He was referred to as God's Son and the Messiah - astonishing words indeed. But now, through Simeon, they heard that baby Jesus would be the Savior not only for the people of Israel but also for the Gentiles. This would have astounded Joseph and Mary even more. However, their joyful amazement was short-lived.
Simeon first blessed Joseph and Mary (v. 34a) because from them came forth the Savior, Jesus Christ. Then, he foretold to Mary the experiences she would have because of Jesus Christ in the days to come (vv. 34b-35).
Firstly, Simeon mentioned that this child would cause the falling and rising of many in Israel. Those who accepted Jesus Christ would be saved and rise, while those who rejected Him would fall.
Secondly, he predicted that this child would be a sign to be spoken against. Those who didn't receive Jesus Christ would insult Him, reject Him, and eventually crucify Him. Mary would witness all of this.
Consequently, thirdly, Mary would experience anguish, as if a sword would pierce her soul. How can one express the feelings of a mother watching her beloved son slowly die on the cross? It's not an instantaneous death but a slow agony over hours. For God's life to be given to us, Jesus Christ, Mary's son, had to die. To receive forgiveness before God and become His children, we have to pay the penalty for our sins, which meant Jesus Christ, the Son of God, dying on the cross.
Fourthly, Jesus Christ would reveal the thoughts of many hearts. Though the religious leaders of the time, the priests, scribes, and Pharisees, appeared clean on the outside, but most of them were filled with dirty greed on the inside. When Jesus revealed their true nature, they hated Him. The same is true today. Jesus reveals the thoughts of our hearts through His words. At that time, when we repent of our sins, Jesus forgives our sins and gives us the perfect righteousness of Jesus as a gift. As a result, we gain eternal life and enter God's kingdom. We will rise. But what happens if one does not want Jesus to reveal the thoughts of one's heard and refuses to repent? He must die bearing his sins. In the end, he cannot be saved and has no choice but to go to hell. He falls.
V. Prophetess Anna's Prophecy (vv. 36-38)
In the temple, there was also a prophetess named Anna, from the tribe of Asher. She had lived with her husband for seven years after marriage and had been a widow for 84 years. If she married at 15, she would have been around 106 years old (vv. 36-37a). Anna remained in the temple, fasting and praying night and day and worshiping there (v. 37b). It seems she managed her prayerful duty while not starving herself to death.
She encountered baby Jesus while praying in the temple and introduced Him to all who were waiting for Jerusalem's redemption, proclaiming that this baby Jesus was the one who would bring redemption to Jerusalem (v. 38). Imagine Anna's joy upon seeing Jesus Christ as an answer to her prayers! Like Simeon, she must have had a heart full of contentment and have no regrets evef she died now.
Conclusion
Joseph and Mary, having fulfilled all that was required by the law, returned to their own town of Nazareth in Galilee (v. 39). Luke refrained from political explanations regarding Christ's birth. He didn't mention the wise men visiting from the East to worship Jesus at His birth or Herod sending soldiers to kill all boys in Bethlehem under the age of two, as Matthew's Gospel does.
Instead, Luke highlighted Jesus' fulfillment of various rituals in the temple and the prophecies of Simeon and Anna that followed. Luke likely recorded these events to illustrate how Jesus, the Savior, observed every aspect of the law from an early age to liberate sinners from the curse of the law.
The law itself isn't bad. Those who keep the law will attain salvation. However, fallen sinners cannot perfectly keep the law. But Christ, who is sinless, came and fulfilled the law. He imparts His righteousness to anyone who believes in Him, acknowledging them as righteous.
Just as this year has come to an end, there comes a time when our lives come to an end. At that time, while confessing 'Lord, you now dismiss your servant in peace,' I pray that we will able to see with our own eyes the loving God who saved us by sending his only Son to this earth, and the gracious Jesus Christ who gave up his throne in heaven and came in the flesh to this earth to save us.
