Simeon and Anna

Good Morning!

We are all familiar with the Christmas story told in Luke 2 … or at least the first 21 verses of it. But there is more to the story:

Luke 2:22-38 (English Standard Version)
Jesus Presented at the Temple
22And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27And he came in 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, 28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29"Lord, now you are letting your servant[a] depart in peace,
according to your word;
30for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel."
33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."
36And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.[b] She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Footnotes:
a. Luke 2:29 Greek bondservant
b. Luke 2:37 Or as a widow for eighty-four years

So what is Luke talking about? Well, both Joseph and Mary were devout Jews who observed the Law. And the Law had some specific requirements regarding the first born son. Here is the Law concerning purification after childbirth:

Leviticus 12 (English Standard Version)
Purification After Childbirth
1The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2"Speak to the people of Israel, saying, 'If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days. As at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. 3And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4Then she shall continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purifying. She shall not touch anything holy, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed. 5But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her menstruation. And she shall continue in the blood of her purifying for sixty-six days.
6 "'And when the days of her purifying are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb a year old for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering, 7and he shall offer it before the LORD and make atonement for her. Then she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, either male or female. 8And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons,[a] one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.'"
Footnotes:
a. Leviticus 12:8 Septuagint two young pigeons

So Mary and Joseph make the six mile journey to Jerusalem after she has completed the purification process to make the required sacrifice. Here they encounter two people – Simeon and Anna. Each had something in common – they were devout in their worship of God AND they lived in expectation of the coming of the Anointed One of Israel. And each recognized Jesus as the Anointed One – the Messiah – the Christ.

We should all strive to be like Simeon and like Anna – living devoted lives to God anticipating His imminent return.

Christmas 2010 has come and gone. Each of us has gotten our bounty of gifts – Miss N and I were truly blessed as I shared with you Christmas Day. The season was wonderful with even a smattering of snow on Christmas day. Now we begin a new week with new opportunities to share Jesus with those around us.

Have a good Monday

Agape’


Mr. Jim