Jesus Presented at the Temple

Introduction

As we wrap up this years Advent Series, I want to challenge you all!

• Question: How well does your life represent your devotion, as a Follower of

Christ?

• Statement: I’m not talking about window dressing, externals, what everybody

sees on the outside, but the on going internal changes happening in your heart.

• Statement: A changing life is the strongest evidence of an on going internal

change.

• Statement: Whole hearted, willing minded Followers of Christ live life devoted to

the things that matter to God and His mission…Advent is all about God’s Mission!

Question: What’s God’s mission?

Reading: Luke 4:18-19, it’s all about consoling, redeeming and encouraging.

It’s a counter-cultural life style that points to Christ as your KING, living from the inside out! No Room for Cover Up or Masking Up!

Jesus’ Presentation at the Temple in Luke 2:21-40 points to a few important things:

• Matthew 5:17 "Jesus Fulfills Law Perfectly."

• Devotion of both Joseph and Mary to God, Law and His Promises to Israel.

• Devotion of Simeon and Anna to God, the things of God and His Promise of

Consolation and Redemption of Israel.

Bible

Reading: Luke 2:21

vv.21 - Event #1: Rite of Circumcision

Voluntary subjection to the Law, acceptance of it’s obligations and privileges per

the Covenant between God and Abraham. Naming "Jesus" according to Angel’s

wishes, meaning of Jesus = The Lord is Salvation

Summarize: Luke 2:22-24

vv.22-24 - Event #2: Presentation of Jesus (Redeeming of First Born at price of 5

shekels), rite occurred 31 days after birth, free from bodily blemishes that would

disqualify him from priesthood and Rite of Purification of Mary, ceremonially

unclean after Circumcision, according to Law.

Presentation Rite: Present Child to priest, two Benediction were given; 1) For

Redemption of a first born son; 2) For thanksgiving for this gift. Then the 5 shekels

were paid, effectively buying back the Son; Acknowledging that Everything belongs

to God.

Purification Rite of Mary: Sin-Offering for Defilement according to the Levitical Law

attached to the beginning of life and a Burnt Offering that marked Restoration of

Communion with God.

• Two doves or pigeons pointed to Joseph and Mary’s poverty, and Jesus’, God

chose to come into this world in poverty, perhaps to identify with the poor and

oppressed.

Summarize: Luke 25-28

Simeon was righteous and devoted to God; Showed in his Waiting…

Simeon would not pass on to death until he saw Messiah, Consolation of Israel.

• Consolation of Israel - God would end Israel’s time of alienation from Him and

Suffering as a consequence of turning their backs on Him by the Advent of

Messiah; also the Age of the Holy Spirit (God with us in Christ Advent & Holy

Spirit dwelling inside of us). God/Holy Spirit consoles and encourages and

counsels.

Reading: Luke 2:28-35 (Simeon)

• Contrast Sovereign Lord vs. Servant

• Seen your Salvation = Advent of Messiah; Jesus = The Lord’s Salvation

• All People (Gentile & Jewish People)

Summarize: Luke 2:36-38 (Anna)

• 84 year old widow

• Worshipped day and night, Temple = Presence of God (Devoted to)

• fasting and prayer

• Anna’s Devotion contrasted with Pharisees & External Religious Acts: Self-

Righteous, Self-Sufficiency and Self-Satisfied Kind; and Rationalism of growing

legalism, reliance on knowledge.

• Spoke about the child being Messiah, redemption of Jerusalem, buying back from

the moral, social and religious condition of Jerusalem.

Reading: Luke 2:39-40

Challenge

Concept of Remnant: Believing remnant of Judaism, looking forward to the

Messianic Age. (Examples: Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, John the Baptist,

etc.)

• Question: Is it possible, if you let Christ into your inner life…your heart, that your

life could change…be different; and your devotion would shift from the things of

this world to that which is important to God? This is an ongoing process…

• Question: Just as the shepherds did, could you point other potential devotees to

Christ because of what you’ve seen and experienced in Christ?