Recognizing the Christ
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Key Verses: “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.” Selected Scripture: |
LUKE 2:21-24 CONFIRMS that according to Jewish law, all male children must be circumcised on the eighth day. (Lev. 12:3) Circumcision was symbolic of the cutting away of fleshly tendencies; that which defile. The nation of Israel had come into covenant relationship with God. As God’s people, they were to cut off all filthiness of the flesh and spirit and were to walk in the ways of righteousness. So, Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day. His mother Mary, waited 33 days until her purification was accomplished (Lev. 12:2-4), then went to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.—Luke 2:22-24
According to Jewish law a sacrifice must be made after a birth. (Lev. 12:6-8) It was necessary that these details of the Law be fully carried out. It was at the Temple that Simeon, a just man, who waited for the consolation, that is, the answer to his prayers, regarding the coming of the Messiah, saw the babe Jesus. We read that the Holy Spirit was upon him. The Spirit had indicated that he should not see death before “he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”—Luke 2:25,26
It is interesting to note that even before Jesus reached the age of thirty and before his baptism at Jordan, that he was recognized as the ‘Lord’s Christ,’ his ‘Anointed.’ Here we have the affirmation of prophecy, that our Lord was the Messiah.
Taking the babe Jesus in his arms, Simeon blessed God, and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For 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.” (vss. 29-32) Now he was ready to die in full assurance of the promised coming blessings.
Hearing Simeon, Joseph and Mary marveled at the things spoken. They knew that Jesus was special, but hearing Simeon declare that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah was almost too much for them to comprehend. Simeon went on to prophecy that the child would be “set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel” and that his name would be spoken against. The life of Jesus would cause the hearts of many to be revealed. This prophecy was to have its fulfillment in his earthly ministry.—vss. 34,35
There was another who had long been serving the Lord and was a widow for 84 years, Anna a prophetess. Anna was another Israelite of faith who had been praying for the coming of Messiah. Now she gave God thanks, and spoke to all about the coming redemption.
The Luke account of the birth of Jesus does not tell of the need for the babe Jesus to be taken to Egypt to escape the murderous intent of Herod. This is recorded in Matthew 2:1-23. Luke merely notes that after Joseph and Mary had completed all things according to the Law, they returned to Galilee, saying, “The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”—Luke 2:40