Matters at the Temple and Testimonies about Jesus

“And 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 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’” –Luke 2: 34-35 (ESV.  Read Luke 2:21-38).

Mary and Joseph as pious Jews had matters concerning Jesus’ birth that had to be taken care of according to the law.  On the eighth day they followed the command to circumcise a male child when he was eight days old (see Genesis 17:12-14, 21:4 and Leviticus 12:3).  This was a ritual act in evidence of the covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants, and it indicated a devotion to Yahweh God.  In Old Testament times, the father might perform the rite on his child.  Later, the Jews had those who specialized in the operation, and it may have been to one of these that Mary and Joseph took Jesus.  Circumcision also indicated that the person would not be cut off from the covenant of God. 

After forty days, the Jewish time set for purification of the mother after the birth of a male child (see Leviticus 12), Joseph and Mary went to the temple and presented the required offerings, two turtle doves or two young pigeons.  This offering was for the poor; a more well-to-do couple would have offered a lamb.  Their desire to follow Jewish law prompted them to do this.  By all rights, they should not have had to take a sin offering, for the male child Mary bore was conceived of the Holy Spirit and therefore holy.  But their conformity to the law shows their pleasure in keeping the covenant.

And then two people in the Temple interact with the Baby.  First is old Simeon, who was “waiting for the consolation of Israel.”  a term which means a sign that God would soon come to comfort and rescue Israel.  Upon seeing Jesus, Simeon took him in his arms and blessed Him.  His psalm of gladness recorded in Luke 2:29-32 echoes some of the Messianic words of Isaiah.  But following his outburst of praise, Simeon turned to Mary and made a prophecy of his own.  He told her that her child would cause the “fall and rise of many in Israel.”  Fall indicates judgment upon the arrogant; rise foretells salvation for those who will accept it.  He also foretells future harsh opposition to Jesus and that Mary’s heart would be pierced as though by a sword.  We know that Mary watched her Son crucified.  How truly did Simeon’s prophecy come true!  

Next came old Anna, a prophetess, and long-time widow who was given to fasting and prayer.  She, too, recognized the Baby as the Messiah and told everyone she saw of “the redemption of Jerusalem.”  Now, not only Joseph and Mary knew why Jesus had come into the world, but the two devout elderly people who saw Him in the Temple as a 40-day old Baby recognized that He was the Messiah God had promised.  From Mary and Joseph and their business in the Temple, we learn the importance of piety.  From Simeon and Anna we learn the importance of living close to God and watching for His revelation. 

Prayer.  Lord, whatever acts of piety and devotion You call upon us to do, may we do them with sincerity and devotion, as in fulfillment of a binding covenant we make with You.  Amen.