Luke Chapter 2 The Birth of Christ (con’t)
As we said last week the two gospels from which we compile the story of the birth of Christ are Matthew and Luke.
Matthew is especially careful to point out when a prophecy is fulfilled. Note as you read his gospel how often he tells us that “this was done to fulfill…..” Matthew was writing to Jewish believers and clearly pointed to prophesy fulfilled each time it happened.
But is it Luke’s gospel that we are studying today and we want to begin our study with verse 21 which tells us of the circumcision of Jesus eight days after his birth.
The requirement for circumcision under the Law is very clear so let us go to Leviticus Chapter 12 where it is spelled out for us.
Let’s look at the first three verses.
“And the Lord said to Moses, Say to the Israelites, If a woman conceives, and bears a male child, she shall be unclean seven days, unclean as during her monthly discomfort. And on the eighth day the child shall be circumcised.” (Amplified Bible)
Now, let’s go back to Luke and the 22nd verse which goes on to say, “And when the time for their purification (the mother’s purification and the baby’s dedication) came according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.”
This is done to satisfy the requirement of the Law set forth in Exodus Chapter 13, verse 1.
“The Lord said to Moses, Sanctify (consecrate, set apart) to Me all the first born (males); whatever is first to open the womb among the Israelites, both of man and beast, is Mine.” (Amp Bible)
Going back to Leviticus 12 we see that the purification of the mother has other requirements.
Verse 6 tells us that when the days of her purification are complete (33 days for a male child, see verse 4) she is to bring a lamb a year old for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering, to the door of the tent of meeting, to the priest.” And the priest will offer it before the Lord to make atonement for her.
While we are in Leviticus Chapter 12 let’s look at one other thing which is interesting and that is verse 8.
“If she is unable to bring a lamb (for lack of means) then she shall bring two turtledoves, or young pigeons, one for the burn offering, the other for a sin offering; the priest shall make atonement for her and she shall be clean.”(Amplified Bible)
This verse is a provision in the Law made for those who do not possess the financial means to buy a lamb for the sacrifice.
Now looking at Luke Chapter 2 verse 24 we see that the offering which Mary brought was two turtle doves or two young pigeons.
This seemingly insignificant verse tells us of the financial status of Mary and Joseph. Some have said, “Well, Joseph was a carpenter and as such was a pretty well off man so Jesus probably had an easy life.” But this offering shows the opposite—these were poor people and the proof is in the offering they made at this time.
Luke’s Gospel starting at the 25th verse and ending at the 39th verse.
What we are going to see in these verses is the scene that takes place at the dedication of the child.
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout—cautiously and carefully observing the divine Law—and looking for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” (Amp Bible)
Note: there are many definitions of ‘Consolation’ but the most appropriate here seems to be either “relief” or “encouragement”.
We note carefully that Luke records that the Holy Spirit was upon him. As we know in Old Testament times the Holy Spirit came upon people when God had a specific job for them to do---Such as Samson. But the Holy Spirit did not come to stay in those days but was given just to perform certain tasks. As we know Samson was a womanizer, heavy drinker and all around rabble-rouser until the Spirit came upon him. He is but one example of how the Holy Spirit was given in Old Testament times.
In this instance the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon (as in Old Testament times) and had given him a revelation.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (Vs. 26)
Note: Christ is not Jesus last name as many people think, instead it is His title---freely interpreted that would be Jesus Messiah or Jesus the Anointed One.
Simeon was acting under the direction of the Holy Spirit when he entered the temple courts at precisely the correct time to meet Mary, Joseph and Jesus. This is very clear from Vs. 27. “Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.” (NIV)
So here we have a man who is in tune with God, and in God’s eyes was righteous and a devout Jew and he is acting upon what the Spirit has told him. Today in full gospel churches we would say he is, “being led of the Spirit.” Hearing and following His directions.
Verses 27 to 32.
Notice verse 27 says the parents were bringing Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the Law required. It was their intent to dedicate the first-born son to God as required in the Law.
Simeon spies them and goes to them and asks to hold the baby Jesus (okay, I assumed that-but somehow he ended up with baby Jesus in his arms)
He begins to praise God and in so doing he repeats what God has promised him through the Holy Spirit.
“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 a glory to your people Israel.”
This is a very different prayer that is spoken at this time. When one would expect something so solidly Jewish and so filled with Old Testament quotes that we would stagger at this time instead we find something very unexpected----the phrase, “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” This projects ahead to what will happen in the future when the gospel is given to the Gentile as well. (See Acts 10 where the gospel is preached to the Gentiles for the first time by Peter and where the Holy Spirit is given to the Gentiles as well as the Jewish believers. Notice also that Luke repeats this the telling of this occurrence in Chapter 11 of Acts as well as if to confirm Chapter 10)
Simeon essentially says, now that I have seen your salvation I can die in peace.
Simeon is free to go but before he does he blesses them, we also see that he gives a prophecy to Mary. “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”(NIV)
The prophesy that says essentially that Israel will be greatly changed---and that He will be rejected (by religious leaders especially) and He will reveal the thoughts of many hearts (as seen later in Matthews gospel). Also that she would have great grief as a result.
Even to this day Israel has not accepted Jesus as Messiah. Their religious leaders still revile Him even though He plainly showed the religious leaders of His day the fallacy of their beliefs.
And Mary, her very being would be shattered as she witnessed Him upon the cross. Ah but there is more----Mercifully her time of mourning would be short as she will soon see the resurrected Christ!!!! What unspeakable joy that must have brought after such misery!
But we are not quite finished at the dedication yet there is still one who must enter the scene and here she comes.
Luke 2:36-38
“There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (NIV)
Luke is noted for his detail (see Luke Chapter 3:1&2). And he gives us quite a lot in three verses.
Anna was a prophetess, one who exercised the prophetic gift. Prophets are used to reveal God’s will to men, foretelling the coming of Messiah, and predicting coming events. Note: As we have studied, a true prophet of God is 100% accurate in their predictions.
Anna is of the tribe of Asher, one of the lesser-known, less powerful tribes.
She was old, or very old. Two of the Bibles I checked have footnotes which say an alternate reading is that she was a widow for eighty-four years
Eighty four was very old in Biblical times. (And the alternate reading would make her 84+7 years married + at least 16 years old at time of wedding = 107.)
She never left the temple, she was devoted to worship, fasting and praying night and day. Today she would be called a fanatic. God would call her devoted.
She came up to them just at the minute Simeon had finished prophesying.
But did not prophesy herself, instead she praised God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Israel.
Can you just see her going around in the temple proclaiming that this child is Messiah, the promised One?
How this must have scared and at the same time encouraged Mary and Joseph. Such a big unexpected amount of attention at Jesus dedication.
We will conclude with verse 39
“When Joseph and Mary had done everything required of the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.”
So here we see that right from the very beginning everything concerning the Law was accomplished in Jesus life. And as He comes of age He will do what no other had ever done before—live a perfect life under the law, in full compliance with all of it, every jot and tittle. And thus we will see Him do that which He said he would do in Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Living a perfect life under the Law makes Him the perfect one, and the only one able to sacrifice His life for us on the cross. Thank God Jesus fulfilled the Law.
