Believe God’s Promises

KEY VERSE: “It was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the LORD’s Christ. … And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the LORD, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” —Luke 2:26,38

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:22, 25-38

WHEN JESUS WAS eight days old, and it was time to circumcise him, he was given the name Jesus as the angel had said to Mary before she conceived. Later, his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord as it is written in the Law. Every firstborn male shall be counted consecrated to the Lord, and a pair of turtle doves or young pigeons were to be offered in sacrifice.

Living in Jerusalem at that time there was a devout man named Simeon, to whom, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, God had revealed that he would see the arrival of the Messiah before he died. In turn, this would no doubt prompt Simeon to anticipate the fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham: “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”—Gen. 22:18

The Spirit led Simeon into the Temple, and when the parents of Jesus brought their child there to fulfill the requirements of the Law, Simeon took Jesus up in his arms and said, “Mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32; Isa. 42:6; 49:6) Joseph and Mary marveled at the things Simeon spoke of him. “Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign [Jesus] which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (vss. 34,35) Surely a sword must have pierced Mary’s heart as she stood in sorrow and anguish by the cross of her tortured son.

The Isaiah 8:14,15 prophecy concerns the fall of Israel: “He shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel. … Many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.” John 1:11 says, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” But Paul, in Romans 9:33, shows the recovery of Israel after the elect class of the Gospel Age has been completed. He says, “I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed [Margin: confounded].”

Also in the Temple was the Prophetess Anna, a widow who was very old. She never left the Temple, but continued to worship with fasting and prayer night and day. She was present at that very time, and gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Jesus to all them who were expecting the deliverance of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had completed that which was in accordance with the Law, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child, Jesus, continued to grow and gain in strength; he continued to increase in wisdom, and the blessing of God was upon him.

Luke does not mention the visit of the three wise men, or the need for flight to Egypt. This occurred after these events of dedication in Jerusalem.

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