Jesus Circumcised and Named
Matthew 1:25bLuke 2:21
The Circumcision
and Naming of Jesus
Matthew 1:25; Luke 2:21
Lk 2:21When the eight days were completed for His circumcision, He was named JESUS—the name given by the angel before He was conceived.[1]
[1]
Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (p. 19).
Holman Bible Publishers.
Eight days later, at the baby's circumcision ceremony, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was even conceived.
When the time came for Mary's purification offering at the Temple, as required by the laws of Moses after the birth of a child, his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord; for in these laws God had said, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he shall be dedicated to the Lord."
At that time Jesus' parents also offered their sacrifice for purification—"either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons" was the legal requirement.
- God is
... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are
... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- I will ...
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I
- You can
... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others
by social media links at the bottom of this.
Jesus Presented in Temple (Jerusalem)
Luke 2:22-24Jesus’
Presentation as an Infant in the Temple
Luke 2:22–24
22And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem† to present Him to the Lord 23(just as it is written in the law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male will be called holy to the Lord”) 24and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord: “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons”).[1]
[1]
Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp.
19–20). Holman Bible Publishers.
- God is
... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- What Mosaic laws are being fulfilled by the presentation (see Lev 12:1-8, Exodus 13:2, 12, 13)? How do these events foreshadow Jesus' mission?
- What does the temple ceremony reveal about the parents of Jesus: They were very poor? Religious? Proud? Dedicated? Fearful of their salvation?
- I will ...
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I
- You can
... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others
by social media links at the bottom of this.
Simeon Expresses His Joy
Luke 2:25-35Jesus’
Presentation as an Infant in the Temple
Luke 2:25–35
25There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said: 29“Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, according to Your word. 30For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples; 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel.”
33His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed—35and a sword will pierce your own soulthat the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”[1]
[1]
Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp.
19–20). Holman Bible Publishers.
"Lord," he said, "now I can die content! For I have seen him as you promised me I would. I have seen the Savior you have given to the world. He is the Light that will shine upon the nations, and he will be the glory of your people Israel!"
Joseph and Mary just stood there, marveling at what was being said about Jesus.
Simeon blessed them but then said to Mary, "A sword shall pierce your soul, for this child shall be rejected by many in Israel, and this to their undoing. But he will be the greatest joy of many others. And the deepest thoughts of many hearts shall be revealed."
- God is
... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are
... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- In Simeon's two prophecies (vv. 29-32, 34-35) what was he predicting about the work of Jesus? His effect on people? The pain of his parents?
- I will ...
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I
- How has Christ brought "light" to your life? How is he still the cause of "the falling and rising" of people that you know?
- You can
... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others
by social media links at the bottom of this.
The Jews were well acquainted with the Old Testament prophecies that spoke of the Messiah's blessings to their nation. They did not always give equal attention to the prophecies saying that he would bring salvation to the entire world, not just the Jews (see, for example, Isaiah 49:6). In the days following the Ascension, many thought that Christ had come to save only his own people. Luke made sure his Greek audience understood that Christ had come to save all who believe, Gentiles as well as Jews. Simeon prophesied that Jesus would have a paradoxical effect on Israel. Some would fall because of him (see Isaiah 8:14-15), while others would rise (see Malachi 4:2). With Jesus there would be no neutral ground: People would either joyfully accept him or totally reject him. What have you done with Jesus?
When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple to be consecrated to God, they met an old man who told them what their child would become. Simeon's song is often called the Nunc Dimittis because these are the first words of its Latin translation. Simeon could die in peace because he had seen the Messiah.
Anna The Prophetess
Luke 2:36-38
Jesus’
Presentation as an Infant in the Temple
Luke 2:36–38
36There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, 37and was a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fastings and prayers. 38At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.[1]
[1]
Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp.
19–20). Holman Bible Publishers.
Anna, a prophetess, was also there in the Temple that day. She was the daughter of Phanuel, of the Jewish tribe of Asher, and was very old, for she had been a widow for eighty-four years following seven years of marriage. She never left the Temple but stayed there night and day, worshiping God by praying and often fasting.
She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she also began thanking God and telling everyone in Jerusalem who had been awaiting the coming of the Savior that the Messiah had finally arrived.
When Jesus' parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the Law of God, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child became a strong, robust lad, and was known for wisdom beyond his years; and God poured out his blessings on him.
- God is
... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are
... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- Do you know anyone like dear old saintly Anna?
- How does she complement Simeon's prophecy?
- What impact would these startling predictions by Simeon and Anna have on all who were listening that day? On the parents of Jesus as they returned home (vv. 33, 39)?
- I will ...
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I
- Jesus parents presented Him in the temple, how "intentional" should parents be today about their children's spirituality? How?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Although Simeon and Anna were very old, they had never lost their hope that they would see the Messiah. Led by the Holy Spirit, they were among the first to bear witness to Jesus. In the Jewish culture, elders were respected, so because of Simeon's and Anna's age, their prophecies carried extra weight. Our society, however, values youthfulness over wisdom, and potential contributions by the elderly are often ignored. As Christians, we should reverse those values whenever we can. Encourage older people to share their wisdom and experience. Listen carefully when they speak. Offer them your friendship and help them find ways to continue to serve God.
Did Mary and Joseph return immediately to Nazareth, or did they remain in Bethlehem for a time (as implied in Matthew 2)? Apparently there is a gap of several years between verses 38 and 39—ample time for them to find a place to live in Bethlehem, flee to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath, and return to Nazareth when it was safe to do so.
Jesus and His
Family Return to Nazareth
Matthew 2:19–23; Luke 2:39–40
Mt 2:19–21After Herod
died, an angel of the
Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20saying, “Get
up! Take the child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, because those
who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21So he got up, took the
child and His mother, and entered the land of Israel.
22But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee Lk 2:39ato their own town of Nazareth, Mt 2:23bto fulfill what was spoken through the prophets, that He will be called a Nazarene. Lk 2:40The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on Him.[1]
- God is
... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are
... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- I will ...
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I
- You can
... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others
by social media links at the bottom of this.
The Herods of the New Testament
The Herods were a dynasty of Roman rulers in Palestine during New Testament times. Four different Herods are mentioned in the Gospels:
• Herod the Great (ruled 37 to 4 b.c.), who tried to murder the baby Jesus;
• Herod Archelaus (ruled 4 b.c. to a.d. 6), son and successor of Herod the Great as ruler over Judea;
• Herod Antipas (ruled 4 b.c. to a.d. 39), who executed John the Baptizer (Mark 6:17–29) and who returned Jesus for sentencing by Pilate (Luke 23:6–12); and
• Herod Philip (ruled 4 b.c. to a.d. 33), ruler in extreme northern Galilee when Jesus began His public ministry (Luke 3:1, 19–20).
Two additional Herods mentioned in the New Testament are Herod Agrippa I (ruled a.d. 37–44), who executed James, the leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 12:1–19); and Herod Agrippa II (ruled a.d. 50–100), before whom the apostle Paul made his defense at Caesarea (Acts 25:13–26:32)
Luke, a middle-aged physician hired by a wealthy Roman to document the story of Jesus, sat down on a bench next to an aging Jewish woman somewhere in the Roman province of Judea.
Luke’s task was to put together the story– in order– the story of Jesus and his followers. People in Rome were talking about this Jewish Messiah but what they knew about him was in bits and pieces, stories told from Jews.
To a Roman audience the origin story was vital. All of the gods had origin stories that everyone knew. They were taught in children’s stories and referred to in literature. Where your god came from helped define the power of the god.
So it was vital, if Jesus really was the son of God, that Luke document just who this Jesus was and where he came from.
· Jupiter was the son of Saturn, who ate the rest of the children.
· Apollo is the twin of Artemis, he’s the son of Zeus and Leto, who survived despite the protests of Zeus’s wife Hera. Though Artemis was born without labor pains, Leto labored for 9 days to give birth to Apollo.
· Luna (Greek goddess Selene) was the child of the sun-god Hyperion and his sister Theia.
Everyone in Rome knew these stories. They knew where each god came from.
And if Jesus was truly the son of the Most High God of Israel, he must have an amazing and identifiable origin story.
Luke very likely had access to Mark’s written account of Jesus’ life as well as Matthew’s Gospel. And he had probably seen a few other written accounts that didn’t make it into the canon of Scripture.
True to his task, Luke was making his way around to interview as many eyewitnesses as possible to corroborate all of the stories and document what he could.
So here he was, sitting with the only surviving eyewitness to Jesus’ birth and early years.
Mary. Now in her 50s or 60s. The mother of Jesus. The woman who saw it all. The woman who bore the shame and scrutiny of giving birth to a mystery child. The woman who gave birth to Jesus in a barn. The woman who nursed Jesus from infancy and kept his circumcision wound clean. The woman who made him 10,000 breakfasts. The woman who taught him to walk and sang songs to him. The woman who oversaw him playing with his cousins, knowing all along what the boy Jesus never knew. The woman who waited 30 years for the promise of the angel to come true. The woman who watched her oldest child become a man, learn a trade, and work alongside his father, her late husband. The woman who sometimes traveled with Jesus during his ministry. The woman who rushed to Jerusalem when he was arrested. She was an eyewitness to his birth and she was an eyewitness to his crucifixion.
No doubt Luke trembled. Billions of women have given birth to sons. But only Mary gave birth to the Messiah. She was chosen. She was blessed by God as the god-bearer.
And she sat on the bench next to him.
The Sitting down with her, you can imagine, he recalled the story as he’d been told, as he’d written down. Is that all true, Mary? She nodded and he proceed.
“So what happened next, Mary. Tell me what happened after Jesus was born.”
Read Luke 2:22-40 to see what she said.
“Available and Usable”
Luke 2:34‐35 ‐‐ "This child (Jesus) 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.”
This prophecy about Jesus is a prophecy that continues today. It not only continues, but also should occur in greater proportion. John 14:12 says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
Every follower of Christ should be used by God to reveal the hearts of others. You reveal the hearts of others when the life of Jesus is reflected through you. God’s character and love should be so appealing to others that they are drawn to Him through you. In addition to living the walk, you should also be sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and the truths of His kingdom. God wants you to be bold in representing Christ. God wants to use your life and words through the work of the Holy Spirit in opening the hearts of others to receive His truth that they too may experience the fullness of Christ’s love for them!
John 16:7‐8 says, “But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” God, through His Spirit, wants to use you as His vessel for drawing others to Him. Are you willing to be faithful to His legacy and available for His use? Begin each day seeking God’s opportunities and divine appointments to be used as His point person in liberating the hearts of others to receive the truth and abundance of His kingdom!
1 Peter 2:9‐10 ‐‐ “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.“
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