The Infant in the Temple (LK 2:22-40)

The Backstory: God had promised Abraham multiple descendants and a homeland to bless the world (Genesis 12:1-3, 15, 17). His descendants ended up enslaved in Egypt, but God rescued them through Moses. They took full possession of their land under Israel’s king, David. They were to be God’s ‘holy nation’ (Exodus 19:4-6) and yet, instead of being a ‘light to the nations’ they became idolatrous like the other nations. The nation was divided, the North was scattered and the Southern kingdom were taken into Babylonian captivity for 70 years. Because God was determined to bless the world through Abraham and make a ‘Son of David’ king over God’s people forever (2 Samuel 7:12-14) they returned to their land under the Persians. However, they remained dominated in their own land and at the time of the Roman Empire they were longing for God to send a ‘conquering king’ to liberate them (Isaiah 42:1-9, 61:1-3)! 

The Infant Jesus in the Temple (LK  2:22-40)

²¹ Jesus’ parents were faithful to circumcise Jesus on the eighth day. They follow the purification procedure as stated in the Law. They are faithful to name their child, Jesus, the name given them by the angel Gabriel. Jesus is the Greek version of Joshua. In a sense, Jesus is the new version of Joshua, who will lead ‘true Israel’ into the fulfillment of God’s promises. Mary and Joseph’s obedience to ‘the Law’ led them to the Jerusalem temple, the dwelling-place of God among his people. They dedicated their firstborn at the temple according to the Law and they offered a sacrifice acceptable for poor people. 

²⁵ Then we find the elderly Simeon, who has been led by the Spirit into the temple courtyard and to Mary and Joseph. Simeon was waiting for the ‘consolation of Israel’. The Spirit was upon Simeon and had told him that he would see the Lord’s Christ before he died. So the Spirit led Simeon to the temple and to Jesus. ²⁸ Simeon takes the infant Jesus in his arms and sees in Jesus, the ‘Lord’s salvation’ which has been prepared by God in the sight of all people. Now Simeon says he can pass away in peace for he sees Jesus as the savior ³¹ of all people; ³² and a ‘light to Gentiles’ and ‘glory of Israel’.”

³³ Mary and Joseph knew what Gabriel had told them about Jesus, but here they’re amazed that Simeon has this knowledge. ³⁴Simeon blesses the family and tells Mary directly that the child will cause the ‘rise and fall’ of many in Israel and that many will speak against the child. ³⁵ Mary’s child will ‘reveal the thoughts of many’ and a sword will pierce Mary’s soul as well. 

³⁶ Then an extremely elderly prophetess, Anna, approaches the couple. Anna worships in the temple continually. ³⁸ Seeing the child see thanks God and speaks about the child to those in the temple court who were waiting for Jerusalem to be liberated. ³⁹ Joseph and Mary do what ‘the Law’ requires and return home to Nazareth in Galilee. ⁴⁰ The child Jesus grew, became strong and was blessed by God’s grace.