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BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For
the week beginning Sunday April 4, 2021
JESUS PRESENTED AT THE TEMPLE
Luke 2:21-24
I told you earlier that the Jews had a
saying that, in the birth of every child there are three parents, the father,
the mother, and the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, and that, they believed that no child
could be born without the SPIRIT. I believe that too. And it may well be that
Old and New Testament stories of childbirth are little more than just lovely
and poetic ways of saying that, whether our child is born of a high calling or
not, the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD is operative in that child’s birth, in a very
special way. And as for men, while it may not make our life easier, whether we
know it or not, childbirth has always been what makes men great. And as for
women, the paradox of childbirth represents, perhaps, the greatest pain,
followed immediately, by the greatest joy that she will ever experience in
life.
In Luke chapter 2, taking up at verse 21, we see that eight days after
JESUS was born, HE was taken to Jerusalem for the “Naming and Circumcision
Ceremony” according to the Jewish Rite and Covenant with GOD concerning all
male children. Baby JESUS’ name, however, had already been given to HIS mother
Mary by the archangel Gabriel before HE was even conceived, and so here, only
the circumcision was needed (Luke 1:31).
Now it was time for “the purification offering” that was also required
by the Law of Moses after the birth of any child. However, the Law also says
that, if a woman’s first child was a male, he would have to be dedicated to the
LORD in a special “dedication ceremony” that required that they bring “animal
sacrifices”. And in order that every family would be financially able to obtain
an animal sacrifice, GOD only required parents to bring, either a pair of
turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON
Luke 2:25-35
There was a righteous and devout man
of GOD named “Simeon”, who was filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, and who had waited
patiently on the LORD for many years, just so he could see the MESSIAH WHO
would come to rescue Israel, and indeed, the whole world, from the grip of
their own sin. The HOLY SPIRIT had already revealed to him that he would not
die until he had seen the MESSIAH with his own eyes.
On the day that Mary and Joseph came to the temple, the HOLY SPIRIT led
Simeon there so that GOD’s promise would be fulfilled. Simeon took Baby JESUS
into his arms and praised GOD and proclaimed the words of Scripture contained
in Luke 2:29-32, that have come to be known as “The Nunc Dimittis” from the
Latin Vulgate, which is interpreted, “Now let me depart”. There, Simeon
declares,
“LORD,
now I can die in peace! As YOU promised me, I have seen the SAVIOR YOU have
given to all people. HE is a light to reveal GOD to the nations, and HE is the
glory of YOUR people Israel!” (NLT)
Joseph and Mary, of course, were amazed at what Simeon had proclaimed
about their SON, JESUS. Simeon then blessed the couple and further said to
Mary,
“This
CHILD will be rejected by many in Israel, and it will be their undoing. But HE
will be the greatest joy to many others. Thus, the deepest thoughts of many
will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul” (Vs34-35) (NLT)
Here the Prophet Simeon is informing Mary that she would be emotionally
torn by the coming opposition to her SON JESUS, by both, the professed Church,
and, by the World. JESUS would later manifest HIMSELF as the very source of our
salvation, and that salvation would be extended, not only to the Jews, but also
to the Gentiles of the world. JESUS would come to be known as “the SAVIOR of
the whole world”, and not just the world of HIS earthly generation. HIS
“salvation offer” would also extend to every generation, past, present, and
future, who would ever live, in the history of this world.
THE PROPHECY OF ANNA
Luke 2:36-40
“Anna” was a prophetess who, quite
literally, lived in the temple of GOD at Jerusalem. She was the daughter of a
man named “Phanuel”, a very old man at this time, who was a member of “the
tribe of Asher”. Anna was also a widow whose husband had died seven years into
their marriage. She had remained in the Temple since the time of his death,
praying and fasting day and night, and was now herself, 84 years.
While Simeon was still talking to Mary and Joseph, Anna came over and
started praising GOD. She then went throughout the Temple witnessing to
everyone she knew, who had been waiting in eager anticipation for the promised
KING, JESUS, WHO was coming to save the whole world from its sins.
After they had fulfilled all of the requirements of the LORD at the
Temple, Joseph and Mary set out on their 65-mile trip back home to Nazareth in
Galilee. It is there where JESUS grew up healthy and strong, filled with
wisdom, well beyond HIS years. And GOD placed HIS special “favor” (“charis”,
which means “grace”) on HIM.
A
Sunday school lesson by,
Larry
D. Alexander
Larry Dell Alexander (1953–)
- Encyclopedia of Arkansas
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