Offering of Salvation for Redemption

Luke 2:22-38

Jesus Presented in the Temple

22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD"), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Simeon Sees God's Salvation

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29 "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel."

33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Jesus was presented in the temple when His mother had been ritually purified (Leviticus 12:2-4) after giving birth to the divine baby and she and her husband made a sacrifice to the Lord there according to the Law to acknowledge the firstborn son was dedicated (Exodus 13:2) to God.  Little did she know the future significance of these elements of the Law as it applied to the Messiah who would be the perfect sacrifice for us all and be dedicated to that purpose of suffering and dying in our place to cover our sins as no temporary animal sacrifice ever could.  Then came a man awaiting the Christ as promised in the word of God (Micah 5:2) while living as righteous a life as any fallen mortal is able to.  This Simeon was looking for the consolation of his people (Isaiah 40:1-2) to be comforted and delivered from their iniquity of their sins and witnessed the Child before him as he entered the temple to worship.  God’s Holy Spirit filled him as he would see the deliverance of his people in the promised Christ whom he awaited and he praised God and held the Child in his arms.  He spoke in the Spirit of seeing the deliverance promised through the Messiah as it was written (Micah 5:2) and prepared before time began in the providence and plan of God (John 1:1, 14) Titus 2:12).  God had prepared this salvation to be witnessed by all nations and peoples as the light of the world (John 8:12) revealed to all for God’s glory, honor, and praise.  The earthly parents of Jesus marveled in awe and wonder of these words prophetically uttered about their son!  The man Simeon then blessed them and told them how Jesus would cause many to fall and to rise in and from their sin in their response to Him.  Many would speak against Him and their hearts would be cut as with a sword in sorrow, but the result of joy would be seen in the thoughts of the hearts revealed before God by His word (Hebrews 4:12).  Jesus was to be the offering of God for our redemption as the perfect sacrifice dedicated by God in place of us just as Isaac was offered as the only son by Abraham (Genesis 22:12, 14) but which sacrifice God offered instead as His only Son for all whom Jesus chooses and calls as His children.  This is to God’s glory and for our good.