LOC – 008 – Jesus First Visit to the Temple

Lesson Objectives

God keeps His promises!

God does, on occasion, make specific revelations or promises to certain individuals.

Prayer and righteousness go hand in hand in being close to God.

Lesson Commentary

Read Matthew 1:25b, Luke 2:21-39

There is really much more to the Christmas story than what happened in Bethlehem late one night. Especially if you realize that the wise men don’t visit until sometime later when Joseph and Mary have found a house to live in. (We will talk about that in Lesson 009.) In between the birth and the visit of the shepherds, we have Jesus being presented in the Temple in Jerusalem according to the Mosaical Law. Some very special events happen at this occasion that we do not want to miss. Luke is explaining these events to reach the Greeks so they will better understand this man who is GOD! Let’s do some more “Walking With Jesus.”

Jesus is Dedicated at the Temple

Mt. 1:25b; Lk. 2:21 – This story begins on the eighth day, when all Hebrew children are named and all boys are circumcised. This is a command of God for all descendants of Abraham (see Genesis 17:9-14.) Jesus is circumcised and named while in Bethlehem. The name “Jesus” is the Greek version of the Hebrew name “Joshua” which means “Yahweh is Salvation.” Jesus is not only a descendant of Adam physically, but He is also a descendant of Adam according to Mosaical Law. Jesus is taking on a heavy yoke to bear as He comes to earth, and He will bear it faithfully all the way to the Cross.

Lk. 2:22 – When Jesus is forty days old, a “redemption ceremony” is held to consecrate Him, and yet another ceremony to remove all “ceremonial uncleanness” from His mother. This is obedience to God’s laws in the Old Testament (see Leviticus 12:1-8). Bethlehem is much closer to Jerusalem than Nazareth, so it is very practical for them to stay there before returning to Nazareth. Since they are going to be there a month at the very least, they now have time to find better lodging until time to leave. It is also possible that they have decided to stay in Bethlehem and establish their home there. Moving and travel can be costly, even in Jesus’ day.

Lk. 2:23 – Jesus isn’t unclean, but from His birth and through His parents, He follows the Laws of Moses (see Exodus 13:2, 12-16). As King, Jesus could have been exempted from all of the rituals required of the King’s subjects. But in order that He might identify with us more fully, it is necessary that He comply with all laws pertaining to man on this earth. Because He is made under the Law, He obeys it. The Mosaical Law is like our laws today, only it also includes regulations regarding religious practice. It is a “Federal Covenant” that one is born into and expected to live up to, without any choice.

Lk. 2:24 – Mosaical Law specifies a lamb to be offered for a child born into the home. Families that are poor are to sacrifice two turtledoves as their offering (see Leviticus 12:1-8.) This is evidence of the financial status of the home that Jesus is born into. One is to be for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering.

The phrasing that Luke uses here makes it clear that Jesus’ parents are poor people. He will not grow up in a home of affluence and means, but one of poverty, yet God never fails to provide them with food and shelter, but they aren’t given wealth beyond measure either. God does not promise wealth to His followers, but He will take care of us. This is an unpaid “vacation” or move to Bethlehem. Did Joseph have an established business or is he just starting out? Either way, finances were short for taking leisurely trips to other places. God is not as concerned about your wealth as He is about your heart.

Simeon, A Prophet Receives Jesus

Lk. 2:25 – Simeon is “righteous” and devoted to God. Righteousness is something that we work to understand and apply. It is determined by God, not man. Yet God has seen fit to inspire the writers to declare Simeon as “righteous.” Righteousness is an attitude (imputed by God) as compared to an action (lived by man). Our efforts at being righteous often fall short of God's standard and meet with failure.

The text suggests that Simeon is nearing the end of his life. He is probably not able to work anymore and spends much time considering spiritual matters and worshipping God. God has promised him, via the Holy Spirit, that he will see the Messiah whom God had promised to Abraham nearly two thousand years earlier. Many Jews recognize that, according to the prophecies of Daniel, the time is right for this to be completed.

The “consolation” that most of Israel is looking for is that they will be rescued from their Roman oppressors. They could also be looking for deliverance from their sinful state, but few are consciously aware of “eternal life” that Jesus came to give us.

Lk. 2:26 – The Holy Spirit had made a promise to him. God (the Holy Spirit) keeps His word. (Compare Solomon’s Temple to Herod’s Temple.) Herod’s temple is still being built. It was started about thirty years before Jesus was born and finished about AD sixty-two, only six to eight years before the Romans conquered Jerusalem and tore it all down. (Compare Herod’s Jerusalem to Nehemiah’s.) We want to keep our priorities in order. There is no building or thing on this earth that is as important as your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Lk. 2:27 – The Holy Spirit motivated Simeon to go to the Temple courts about the same time that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were arriving. This is forty days after birth for a boy. Simeon immediately knows who this child is. It is interesting that out of all of the years he has been waiting and all of the children and people that have come through the Temple grounds, he knows that this baby is the Messiah. This is a true testimony of the presence of the Holy Spirit in Simeon. If we want to see Jesus, we must likewise go to where Jesus can be found.

The Court of Women is as far as Mary is allowed to go. It is located on the east side of the Temple itself. Luke is alone among the Gospels in portraying the Temple in a positive light. When he sees the Christ child, his immediate response is praise to God. This is the response of all godly people toward the Christ throughout Luke’s Gospel.

Lk. 2:28 – When Simeon sees the baby Jesus, he takes the child in his own arms and praises God for keeping His word. A Rabbi normally takes a child into his arms before pronouncing a blessing. So Simeon is either a Rabbi, or happens to take the stance as a Rabbi, who is blessing a new child. Simeon is ready to die now because God has kept His promise to him. To many Jews, salvation is more “physical” oriented in saving from the Romans, than “spiritual” in saving from eternal punishment in Hell. Simeon, however appears to have the spiritual salvation from sin in perspective, even though he will not live to see it instituted.

Lk. 2:29 – “Lord” refers to a master/slave relationship. God is Simeon’s master. Simeon is ready to go be with God. Death is not a problem to those who know the faithfulness of God’s promises and the beauty of eternity. Death truly has lost its sting. Simeon isn’t trying to hasten his death, but he is ready to pass through its shadow because he has seen what he has been waiting for. God keeps His word!

Lk. 2:30 – Simeon has now seen God’s Messiah, the Savior who will be a revelation of God to the Gentiles and a glory to Israel. Though many Jews think of “salvation” as deliverance from their Roman conquerors, there are some that realize that the salvation they need and are seeking is from their sins. Through Jesus the Jews and the Gentiles can be saved from their sins.

Lk. 2:31 – God’s salvation is for Gentiles also, not just Jews. It is presented in the sight of the whole world. At this time, Rome is in power and travel is easy. This will help the Good News to travel fast. The news of God’s direct interaction with man and salvation from the consequences of his sin will soon spread all over the world. God is no longer a God of just the Jews, but to all people. This is another declaration that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham two thousand years earlier (see Genesis 12:1-3.)

Lk. 2:32 – There are three hymns of thanksgiving and praise recorded by Luke in his first two chapters (Luke 1:46-55, 68-79; 2:29-32.) There is a deep significance regarding the births of John and Jesus for the salvation of Israel and the world expressed in these hymns. Simeon notes that the Messiah is to be for the Gentiles as well as for Israel. Luke speaks of the truth of salvation for the Gentiles many times. God’s SON is not merely a light in the Jewish candlestick, but the light of the whole world.

Lk. 2:33 – Joseph and Mary marvel at these words from a “stranger.” How does he know so much about this baby? No one had told Simeon anything about baby Jesus. Simeon sees more in the baby than Israel will see in the man. Joseph and Mary are not yet fully aware of what Jesus is going to do. Simeon’s words are beyond their immediate understanding.

Lk. 2:34 – Simeon turns to address Joseph and Mary. First he expresses a blessing to them. God has done a great thing in entrusting His only Son to their care for raising. Israel is going to receive much salvation because of Jesus. Even though he does not understand all of what Jesus will do, he knows that God’s Son will cause some to repent and some to rebel (See Isaiah 8:14-15.) Jesus will be a sanctuary to some and a snare to others.

Lk. 2:35 – God’s people will be more easily distinguished. He will cause the thoughts and hearts of all to be exposed. Mary will suffer greatly as she sees how others treat Him and see her (and God’s) Son crucified. How does Joseph feel to hear these words of warning about his wife and stepson? How would you feel if someone said this about your baby?

Anna, A Prophetess, Receives Jesus

Lk. 2:36 – OK, ladies, your turn. Simeon represents God’s revelation to the men, and Anna represents God’s announcement to the women. Jesus came for us all! Anna is a prophetess in Jerusalem. Do Anna and Simeon know each other? The nature of Anna’s prophecy is not clear. We cannot know clearly whether she is a teacher of younger women, or whether she received prophecies from God concerning other people. Most prophets, however, do not foretell prophecies as far reaching as those of the Old Testament, but spoke to events that were more immediate. “...Daughter of Phanuel (which means “face of God”), of the tribe of Asher, (which means “good luck”).” Asher is in Galilee where some say that no prophet has ever risen. Luke is careful to establish Anna’s place in history for his Greek readers.

Lk. 2:37 – Like Simeon, she is very old. “...husband seven years...” Seven years from her virginity implies that she is only married seven years. Now she is eighty-four years old. She has spent her days fasting and praying and serving God. More prayer equals more hearing from God. It seems almost like she lives at the Temple. Being a widow with no husband, her only means of existence may well depend on the generosity of those whose lives she touches.

Lk. 2:38 – Like Simeon, she “happens” to be there when Joseph, Mary and Jesus are there. The Spirit of the Lord in her guides her to speak of Jesus as the Messiah. Like Simeon, she gives thanks to God and tells those around her who this child is. What did the crowd think of Joseph and Mary and their baby? How would you feel if a stranger prophesied these words about your baby?

Lk. 2:39 – A concluding remark – Joseph and Mary fulfill their obligations to God and return to Bethlehem where they are staying. It is probably less expensive and easier (especially on Mary and Jesus) to wait in Bethlehem until the eight days were past for consecrating the baby before returning home. To give Mary more time to recover and because of her “uncleanness,” they stay an additional thirty-three days (forty days total). Somewhere before returning to Nazareth, the wise men visit and Joseph, Mary, and Jesus take an extended journey to Egypt. Then they return to Nazareth. Luke doesn’t choose to cover this point so we are uncertain as to when it fits into the chain of events.

Next week – The wise men haven’t visited the baby Jesus yet. We have no knowledge as to when they arrived on the scene except it is before Joseph and Mary return to Nazareth. We will see you next week as Christmas continues – Events surrounding the Birth of Christ (Part III.)

Read Matthew 2:1-18.

“Walking With Jesus”

Lesson Commentary

LOC – 008 – JESUS IS PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE!
How to Stand Righteous Before God!

Ever desire for a word of confirmation or encouragement when facing an uncertain event? Am I doing the right thing, the right way? Am I pleasing God in what I am doing with my life? How can I get God to listen to my prayers? How many parents know how to raise their child and deal with every event with full confidence that their child will not die, but grow to adulthood and be successful? If I stand righteous before God, will I get the same results as these people are getting? How do I gain God’s favor and guidance in my life? What can we learn about standing righteous before God from Matthew 1:25b and Luke 2:21-39?

Obey God’s Rules – Joseph and Mary are Careful to be Obedient to the Mosaical Law and are Blessed! – Matthew 1:25b; Luke 2:21

On the eighth day, Jesus is circumcised and named according to the requirements of the Mosaical Law. This takes place at the local synagogue (in Bethlehem). Jesus is then dedicated at the Temple on fortieth day and the redemption sacrifice is offered for the firstborn of two turtledoves because they can’t afford a lamb. It is also the time in which the baby is named. Jesus is the same as Joshua which means “Yahweh (God) is Salvation!”

It appears that Joseph and Mary have decided to stay in Bethlehem. This will make the trip to Jerusalem for the dedication of the baby shorter and easier. Joseph is self-employed. He can easily take up his trade in Bethlehem! Joseph and Mary are obedient to God even though they don’t know all they would like to know as parents. Though Joseph and Mary are poor, they are never lacking of food, shelter or clothing!

We don’t do the eighth day and fortieth day rituals because we are no longer bound by the Old Testament. Instead, we live by the Great Commandments. Also, God doesn’t look on money as man does. He does not promise wealth on His followers, but He does promise to provide ways for us to acquire what we need to live on. Health, wealth and long life were promises to those who were obedient to the Old Covenant. In the New Testament, God promises forgiveness of sin and eternal life. That is much more important and valuable than what the Old Testament offered. Poor people are greater than rich people in the eyes of God. Our responsibility is to be obedient to God in every area of our lives. God knew that Joseph and Mary would be obedient to His Laws and that they would be responsible as parents of the Messiah. Can God trust you to be obedient to what He has called you to do?

Follow God’s Heart – Simeon Trusts God and is Rewarded. – Luke 2:22-35

Simeon confirms who Jesus is! While Joseph and Mary are approaching the Temple, they are greeted by Simeon, an insignificant old man who has been living right before God (righteous) and is devoted to worshipping and serving Him. Wouldn’t you like people to say that about you? Is there any reason why they can’t? Fix it!

Simeon was righteous and devout and saw the prophecies concerning the Messiah as nearing their fulfillment. Holy Spirit told him that he would see the Messiah! As Joseph and Mary approach the Temple, he takes Jesus, praises God and says, “Let me die now in peace”!“ I have seen the Savior that you have promised. Simeon saw that Jesus would bring a revelation to the Gentiles! Now that God has fulfilled His promise to Simeon, Simeon is ready to die because he knows God is faithful and that eternal life awaits him when he leaves this world. Joseph and Mary marvel at what Simeon is saying! What would you think if a stranger confirmed a special revelation about your baby? Simeon sees more in the baby than the nation will see in the man!

Follow God’s Heart – Anna is Faithful and is rewarded. – Luke 2:36-39

As Joseph and Mary continue to their presentation destination in the Temple grounds and Anna happens to be there. She is an insignificant 84-year-old widow and prophetess who is at the temple every day praying from sun-up to sundown. Anna had been married 7 years, but has spent the rest of her life in the Temple. Because she is a widow, Anna probably depends upon handouts for her existence. Have you sometimes wished you could have that much freedom to be at church praying?More prayer equals more hearing from God! Anna sees the baby Jesus as the redemption of Jerusalem.

Anna most definitely knows Simeon. Both of them have spent much time around the Temple for many years. Luke establishes her place in history for his Greek readers. The Spirit of God guides her to recognize who this baby Jesus is and praise God upon seeing the baby. She also tells others around who He is! Joseph and Mary are very touched by the observations and comments of these strangers. Having completed the nature of their visit, Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus go home.

Have you ever had a stranger proclaim praise about the future of your baby? How do you think you would feel if you were Joseph and Mary? How much would it mean to you if someone told you that your child was going to be a great leader and savior or the world? That is a promise that your child will not die, be injured or hurt, but will grow up to be a responsible adult of whom you can be very proud. A prophet is a forth-teller, one who speaks for God and interprets His will.Today, the preacher is one who proclaims and expounds the truths of Scripture. Preachers today proclaim short-term events as opposed to the many long-term prophecies that we see in Old Testament. When you follow God’s heart, you can anticipate God’s rewards with confidence.

CONCLUSION

God often uses “insignificant” people to accomplish His purposes! Just as He used Joseph, Mary, Simeon and Anna, He can use us!

Next Week: As best we can tell, the wise men haven’t arrived yet. But the star is shinning and they are on their way! Joseph and Mary appear to have taken up residence in Bethlehem.