December 28, 2008: The Presentation of Jesus
The text for this lesson is Luke 2:22–40.
Key Points
- In the Divine Service, we join with Simeon and Anna, the angels and archangels, and the great cloud of witnesses in heaven and on earth hailing Christ as the fulfiller of the Law who rescued us from the Low, its accusations, and our sins.
- Law: The Law always accuses. It unceasingly dogs us, never letting us off the hook. Like it or not, all are condemned by it, all “help captive under the law, imprisoned” by sin (Galatians 3:23). In the Old Testament, sacrifices even had to be offered after childbirth, both for mothers and children, as a cleansing for sin. No one can outcrawl or outrun the long arm of the Law.
- Gospel: Jesus out-laws the Law. He does more than enough. He who had no sin for which a sacrifice had to be offered, offered a sacrifice anyway. He gave 110 percent. He let the Law have its way with Him, that He might have His way with us. And, ultimately, what the Law demanded of us—perfection or punishment for imperfection—He took onto Himself.
Context
Two Old Testament laws are in the background in the presentation of Jesus. First is the law of the firstborn. Since the time of the exodus, when God executed the firstborn of the Egyptians, the firstborn of Israel belonged especially to Him (Exodus 13:1–2, 11–15). They had to be “redeemed” by offering a sacrifice in their stead. Second is the law of childbirth. If a woman bore a son, she was ritually unclean for forty days, after which she was to offer either a lamb, two doves, or two pigeons as a sacrifice for cleansing (Leviticus 12).
Discussion Points and Questions
- Read Leviticus 12. What is your reaction to this language of uncleanness and the need to atone for the mother after childbirth?
- For background on the law of redemption of the firstborn, see Exodus 13:12–15 and Numbers 18:15–16. Is the sacrifice mentioned by Luke offered for Jesus or Mary or both?
- Read Luke 2:22–40. Who encounters Jesus and His parents as they are entering the temple to obey the Law? What had God promised to him?
- In previous weeks, we have noticed the faithful response of those who had hears God’s promises, but had not yet seen them fulfilled or had no way of proving them to be true. How is Simeon’s experience here different?
- What does Simeon call Jesus? What are some things that he says about Him? What will the work of Jesus actually accomplish, according to Simeon?
- Does Anna’s lifestyle as a widow seem unusual to you? Look at Ephesians 2:19–22 and 1 Timothy 5:5–6, 14 (or 1 Timothy 5:3–16 if you have the time). Do these give you any insight into Anna’s way of life? Does it say anything about the church as a new household of faith?
- Look again at Luke 2:38–40. Who is being redeemed? What words are used to describe Jesus?
- Look once more at the first words of Simeon (Luke 2:29–32). Do you recognize this from any part of the liturgy? Why does Simeon say these words? Why do we say these words as a part of the service? Do you know any other services in which these words are used? How are these words a comfort to those who are dying or bereaved?
- Anna’s life was uniquely devoted to God. Remember what Paul writes in Ephesians 2:19–22. Is Anna’s the only way to have a devout life? If Jesus has found favor with God (Luke 2:40) and is the “cornerstone” upon which we are built, what is the true foundation and vitality of our lives?
For next week, read Luke 2:41–52. Think about what it might mean that Jesus grows in wisdom and stature.
