Scripture: And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:21-35 ESV
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Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, Luke tells us that an angel pronounced “good news of great joy” to a lowly group of shepherds: In Bethlehem, a Savior is born for all people. Then, if not already intimidated and terrified by this angel, many heavenly hosts suddenly appear to the shepherds and praise God, proclaiming peace on earth to those in whom God is pleased. Stunned but excited, the shepherds leave their flocks and find Mary, Joseph, and the babe (lying in a manger, just as the angel confirmed). Amazed, they share all that transpired in the field with Mary and Joseph. And those also hearing the shepherds’ report ponder what this could mean for Israel. Meanwhile, the shepherds return to their flocks and continue to glorify and praise him for all they have seen and heard while Mary treasures this glorious and tender moment in her heart.
For today’s reading, we learn that Mary and Joseph hastened to Jerusalem with their newborn to present him in the temple on the eighth day to be circumcised according to the Law of the Lord (see my July 19th Daily Focus for further explanation of its origin). Leaving a gap in the timeline, Luke mentions that they presented the minimum requirement of an animal sacrifice (either two turtledoves or pigeons), leaving out the detail of which birds they offered to the Lord. According to Levitical law, this ceremony would have occurred thirty-three days later, and the offering of birds reveals their poverty (Leviticus 12:1-8).
In the next scene, Luke uniquely chronicles the visitation and blessing of the righteous, devout, and Spirit-filled man, Simeon, who learned from the Holy Spirit that, before his passing, he would behold the consolation of Israel embodied in the Christ-child. The Latin version of this text begins with the words Nunc Dimittis, which means “Now Dismiss,” translated above as “now you are letting” (v.29 ESV). And Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit led Simeon to the temple on this occasion to fulfill the earlier promise.
Overjoyed, Simeon first proclaims he has seen the Lord’s incarnate salvation, who will be a revelatory light to all nations and bring glory to Israel. As Mary and Joseph marvel at Simeon’s prophecy, he turns toward them and pronounces a blessing over them. But he poignantly adds that their child will be a sign of God’s judgment that causes the fall and rise of many in Israel who oppose him, for Jesus will expose their innermost thoughts of opposition. Resultantly, Mary will face heartbreak over her son’s fate.
Takeaway: Luke, a Gentile, focuses in this passage and throughout his Gospel on the universal nature of God’s salvation. Starting with Simeon’s opening remarks, we read he has seen God’s salvation (v.30) in the presence of all people (v.31), implying but not explicitly referring to their child. And for emphasis, Simeon rephrases that the light of Christ will be a revelation to the Gentiles (v.32a) and resultantly bring glory to Israel—reverberating from Isaiah (49:6; 52:10) and a post-exilic psalm of ascent (Psalm 98:3). Still, this most excellent news for all generations will come at an unfathomable cost to the Father and Son, and it will break the heart of Jesus’ mother.
Our takeaway? There are two. First, Simeon does not mention Joseph’s heartbreak, nor do our Gospels speak to his involvement beyond his son’s childhood—likely indicating that Joseph died before Jesus launched his ministry. If this is true, we can only imagine Mary’s anguish in losing Joseph and then grieving her son’s agonizing crucifixion without his comfort. Still, John tells us that Jesus made provisions for his mother’s care while breathing his last from the cross (John 19:26-27). So how does this relate to us? To dedicate our child to God through baptism, dedication, or prayer (as did Hannah, see 1 Samuel 2:1-10), we will inevitably make sacrifices that weigh heavily on our hearts. Nevertheless, our sacrificial love makes room for God’s best in their lives.
Secondly, the focus of this story centers on universal salvation, i.e., for all nations for the remainder of history as we know it. But this is not a guarantee to all. While our Lord’s substitutionary death is sufficient to save the world (John 3:16), his gift of salvation extends to those who believe and confess that he is Lord (Romans 10:8-10). And as James notes, our godly works evidence our genuine faith (James 2:14-26). Also, Simeon’s prophecy shows how those who continue Christ’s mission reflect God’s glory. Still, Israel receives the premier honor because our “Light of the World” first emanated from it. Yet, as Christ’s ambassadors, we, too, bring the beautiful message that our God reigns (Isaiah 52:7) and has reconciled us to himself (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Thus, when we faithfully proclaim his Gospel, with words or works, his glory refracts on us.
So while our treasured Gospel will break hearts, its emanating light will bind wounds, restore our hope, and renew our strength to continue the mission to a darkened world that desperately needs it. And as his beautiful feet, we bring glory to our Savior and us.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who, at an unfathomable cost, became one of us and suffered and died for us to reconcile us to you. Still, we confess that we struggle to embrace this good news when it invokes our suffering. So would you please help us remember that while the working out of our Gospel may break our hearts, it also binds our wounds, blesses others, and brings glory to you that refracts to us? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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