Devotional Reading: Isaiah 49:8-13
Lesson Scripture: Luke 2:25-38
Lesson Aims: To explain why Jesus was in the Temple, to recognize that everyone must respond to Jesus and to deepen our commitment to Him daily.
Background: For the Jews, the firstborn (human or animal) was to be consecrated to God as stated in Exodus 13. The unblemished animals were set aside for sacrifices while the firstborn males were to serve God for their entire lives. The process for consecration began on the eighth day of the male childâs life with circumcision (sign of the covenant) and bestowing the formal naming (Leviticus 12:3).
When the mother was purified (40 days after the birth), the parents took the child to the Temple to offer a sin offering and a burnt offering. Due to their economic status, Mary and Joseph had two pigeons instead of a lamb and a dove. âThe offerings expressed thanksgiving to God for His mercy and sorrow for her personal sin (?)â (The Catholic Study Bible). Luke did not include the five shekels (a dayâs wages) given to the priest as a part of the rite. The shekels were given to redeem the child from service. The Levites served that purpose. Like Zachariah and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph were presented as devout Jews who followed the Mosaic Law. Each element of baby Jesusâ consecration paralleled Samuelâs, who was the last Old Testament judge and the first prophet. Lukeâs aim was to link the prophecy to its fulfillment in Jesus, the Messiah (Christ).
Lesson: While in the Temple Mary, Joseph, and the baby encounter two people who are devoted to God. The first is Simeon, a righteous and devout man waiting on âthe consolation of Israel.â The Holy Spirit has revealed that he would see Messiah before death. The term âthe consolation of Israelâ goes back to Isaiah 40:1, where the prophet said comfort would come to them after the exile. Led by the Spirit, Simeon takes the baby in his arms and begins to praise God for His faithfulness. Humanityâs salvation is come! âTo the Gentiles, Jesus is the light that shows them the way to God. For the Jews, He is the glory and crowning promise of the One from the house of Davidâ (David C. Cookâs Echoes Adult Teacher Commentary). He then blesses the startled parents and gives Mary a fore taste of what she will endure.
The prophetess, Anna, is also in the Temple court. She is an elderly widowed woman who comes to the Temple daily to fast and pray. She approaches them and thanks God for this child who will redeem the world. She shares with all who are seeking âthe consolationâ that He is here! Lukeâs record of the annunciation, birth and presentation of Messiah proclaims His identity as he prepares us for His ministry at the end of the chapter.
Application: Whether we know it or not, we respond to everything that we encounter. Either we embrace it, reject it or ignore it. The two people in the lesson recognized Jesus for who He is. Why, you might ask. Both walked closely with God and relied on Him. They didnât get caught up in the worldâs standards. The scandals in last weekâs lesson are humanâs thoughts. Thanks be to God that His thoughts and actions are not like ours! God uses whomever he so desires. As believers, we canât afford to follow the world. Everyone who is poor isnât shiftless; by the same token, everyone who is rich and powerful isnât godly! Because a person is different doesnât mean that they are not humans with a soul! Jesusâ love is not based on gender, education, class or geography! He came for all people. If we truly have His love in our hearts, we will treat people with respect and will recognize that they too have potential. Respond to his love, forgiveness and compassion today.
Letâs step into 2014 with renewed love, hope, and justice, because He cares for us all. May God grow us in the New Year to be more like Him!