Luke:2-22-38: Be a Witness to the Presented Christ

And when the days of their purification were completed according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb will be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what was stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to 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 would see the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus so that they could do for him according to what was customary under the law, he took him in his arms and praised God and said, “Now dismiss your slave in peace, Lord, according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory to your people Israel.” And his father and mother were astonished at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed—and a sword will pierce your own soul also, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed!” And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher (she was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and herself as a widow up to eighty-four years) who did not depart from the temple with fastings and prayers, serving night and day. And at that same hour she approached and began to give thanks to God, and to speak about him to all those who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Pray

When we look at this passage the first thing that becomes evident is that Jesus was born into a family that meticulously observed the Law of Moses. Which may have very well been one of the reasons he was born into that family. It was important that the family God chose to raise the savior of all mankind be a family that would raise Jesus in the way according to the Law. He had to lead a perfect life.

So they traveled from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. They haven’t gone home yet. Still living away from where Jesus will grow up. I don’t know what kind of accommodations they have. Jesus was born with animals. Are they still sleeping there? Or maybe people left and Joseph was able to move them to better accommodations within the family? They are staying with his family now. Though we don’t know how close the family was or how far removed he was from those he was staying with.

And it will be some time before they are able to return to Nazareth. They will go back to Bethlehem and then they will flee to Egypt all before he will go to their home where Jesus was to be raised. Luke has nothing to say about their flight to Egypt, for that you must read Matthew 2:13-15.

Purification & Dedication

In this passage, we see two different regulations taking place.

The Purification of the mother after childbirth

Purification takes place 40 days after childbirth in cases of a male child. See Leviticus 12:1-8

This purification right calls for a lamb and a pigeon, except in cases of hardship when two pigeons or doves would suffice. If you look back on the passage you will see that Joseph and Mary choose the poor man’s choice. They can’t afford a lamb. They are not wealthy people. Probably not even middle class.

The Dedication of the Firstborn Son to God

Exodus 13:2-16 calls for the dedication of the firstborn. The dedication or presentation of Jesus at the temple here at the same time as the Purification practices. According to Numbers 18:15-16, the firstborn son could be redeemed for five shekels, but Luke says nothing about this. Probably not an oversite but an assumption that Luke has made. All Jews know about this and by leaving it out it is a sign to the readers that all of Jesus' life would be dedicated to the Lord.

Jesus will belong to God. Like Samuel who was dedicated to God and not redeemed. Who was left after being weaned to live in the temple (1 Samuel 1-2).

Jesus is God in Flesh and his life will always be dedicated to the Father, so he was not bought or redeemed from God. He is the redeemer. He is the one who will pay the price with His life, With his Blood for all of us.

The Witnesses

The first witness is a devout old man filled with the Holy Spirit who was assured by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he saw God’s Messiah or Christ. So the Holy Spirit lead him to the temple right as Jesus would be there to be presented.

He meets them in the outer court. Mary is with them so they had to be in the outer court. And witnesses that this child would be the consolation of Israel and light to the Gentiles.

Paul was not the one who started the Gentile mission and this old man ready to die to hold a new life that will save them all.

This is actually a touching scene. The Joy of this old man

Luke 2:29–32 LEB

“Now dismiss your slave in peace, Lord, according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory to your people Israel.”

Simeon’s witness is confirmed by Anna a devout prophetess of advanced age. She is a widow who is either 84 or a widow for 84 years. She too comes just as he is being presented and speaks of Jesus and the redemption of Jerusalem the Messiah or Christ.

These two witnesses fulfilled the legal requirements for something to be true. According to the legal rights of the time. One must present two witnesses to prove the truth.

God is keeping his old promises. in a new and exciting way that breaks all expectations. They were looking for messiahs like the ones that have been in the past. David, Samuel, Cyrus the Persian, the judges. People who physically freed Israel from bondage. And Israel was in bondage to the Roman Empire. But God is bringing something new. Not just a person to free them physically and set up a new or old kingdom. But God himself came down in the form of man to free them Spiritually and to set up a spiritual kingdom.

One that would surpass all expectations. One that would surpass all the physical boundaries. And be not just for the Jew but for all the wold. He sent his son so that who so ever believes in him will not die but have everlasting life.

Jesus was presented. The King of Kings, The Lord of Lords, the Way, The Truth, the Life. The only way to the father. The only way to salvation from the punishment of Sin. The only way to a life that is better than any other way can produce.

Next Steps

Will you be a witness

Will you be the one who declares God on Earth. How do we witness? We Worship

We declare that God is the Lord of all with our worship, Both communal and individual. We gather together not to see what we can get out of the service but do declare with one voice that JESUS IS GOD. We sing praises to the king we spend time with the King. We listen. We speak. We grow closer to God. We proclaim we know the truth and it has set us free. no Damnation, No Hatred, no holy Bashing.

We must tell others of the love of the Lord.

Nobody likes a Hypocrite

Micah 6:8 LEB

He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does Yahweh ask from you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Through our walk, they may see the truth.

We work. Rich Mullins says Faith without works is as useless as a screen door on a submarine.