Wednesday, February 2, 2022
The Lord said to Moses “Consecrate to me all firstborn among the Israelites” “When in the future your child asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall answer, ‘By the strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from human firstborn to the first born of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord every male that first opens the womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem (Ex. 13.2, 12, 15).
Forty days after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph go to the temple to offer sacrifice to the Lord. It is said they offered according to the Law of the Lord. The law states, “If she cannot afford a sheep, she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for burnt offering and the other for sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement on her behalf and she shall be clean” (Lev. 12.8).
Joseph and Mary follow the Law of the Lord, a sign of Joseph and Mary’s piety and religious observance. The Law of the Lord stated that “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”
What’s most interesting to me is the response from two godly and Spirit-led people in the temple. The main question I asked on Sunday was, “How do people respond to the presence of Christ.” That question is posed as much to the Scriptures as it is to you and me.
A man upon whom the Holy Spirit rested is guided by the spirit in his response to Jesus. Interestingly, Simeon is the fifth person noted as being ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’ other than John, Mary, Elizabeth, Zechariah. He takes the Christ child in his arms and rings out the fourth hymn of Luke: Nunc Dimittis…
“my eyes have seen your salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, for glory to your people Israel. This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Anna, a temple dwelling widow, fasting and praying in the twilight of her life, awaiting the savior of Israel. She responds to the Christ child with praise, speaking to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem, to all who had ears to hear. She could not keep herself from telling of his arrival.
Fulfilling the commandments, Mary and Joseph present the child and the appointed sacrifices. Anna and Simeon recognize that God is fulfilling the promise of the ages. This day stands as a bridge between the birth of Christ and his passion and resurrection. May we, every day and in every way, be a Simeon or an Anna to those around us; singing, praising, and telling all who have ears to hear of his saving grace.
