55 Jesus is Taken to the Temple [Luke 2:22–40]
The Bible passage: [Luke 2:22–40]
The Story:
When the time came to bring Jesus to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord as the firstborn son, Joseph and Mary brought him to Jerusalem. The required sacrifice was a pair of turtle doves or young pigeons.
There was a righteous and devout man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the required sacrifice, Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said, “Now, Master, You can bring me home in peace, as you have told me. For my eyes have seen Your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples - a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel.”
His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him.
Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “This child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel. A sword will pierce your own soul. The thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess named Anna. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and was a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day, fasting and praying.
At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the coming of the Messiah.
When they had completed everything they had come to Jerusalem to do, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on Him.
The Lessons:
- [Exodus 13:2, 12] talks about the dedication of the firstborn male.
- We have two older people, led by the Holy Spirit, identifying Jesus as the Messiah.
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