Law fulfilled, prophesy fulfilled

A Decree, a law, a prophesy

Started with a mission, a task (1:1-4)

Some prophesies

John (1:5-25)

Jesus (1:26-38)

A visit and a song (1:39-56)

A birth and a prophesy (1:57-80)

A decree (2:1-5)

A lowly, lonely birth (2:6-7)

A visit after heavenly encounter (2:8-20)

Cut to the passage

This is a long passage and we will pause to pull from the passage along the way.

Luke 2:21–22 NASB95

21 And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

Luke 2:23–24 NASB95

23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Do we have a time frame that this transpires (vv.21-22)?

Eight days from birth.

when days of purification were completed.

What details do you learn (vv.23-24)?

Under law, firstborn shall be called Holy to the Lord

Sacrifice must be offered, a pair of turtledoves or two pigeons.

Luke 2:25–26 NASB95

25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 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.

Luke 2:27–28 NASB95

27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

What do you learn about Simeon (vv.25-26)?

He was in Jerusalem. He was righteous, he was devout

He was looking for consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

What brought Simeon to into the temple (v.27)?

Why did the parents bring Jesus into the temple (v.27)?

Luke 2:29–30 NASB95

29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

Luke 2:31–32 NASB95

31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

Why was Simeon being released so he could depart in peace (v.30)?

For he has seen Your salvation.

Look closely at (vv.31-32) Simeon makes three statements, two of them pretty bold, what are they?

Prepared in presence of “all” peoples

Light of revelation to the Gentiles.

Glory of Your people Israel.

Luke 2:33–34 NASB95

33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed—

Luke 2:33–35 NASB95

33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Simeon had taken Jesus and blessed God (v.28); what does he do to the amazed parents (v.34)?

Simeon blessed them, then spoke to Mary

Again looking at facts we can glean (vv.34-35) what do you see?

The child is appointed for fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign

A sword will pierce your (Mary) soul.

Hearts of many may be revealed

Luke 2:36–37 NASB95

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.

Luke 2:38 NASB95

38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Now our final three verses to glean from.

A new person in the temple now (vv.36-37) what details do you learn about her?

Name is Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of tribe of Asher.

She was advanced in years, was a widow who lived with her husband for seven years after marriage.

She is 84 years old and served in the temple night and day with fasting and prayers, never left the temple.

What did Anna the prophetess do (v.38)?

At that moment, in other words immediately came up gave thanks to God.

She spoke of Jesus to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

(Transition) That is a lot of information in these verses. There is much we can learn from them.

Gleaning facts

Jesus is presented in the temple to fulfill the requirement of the Law of Moses (see Lev12:2-3)

Circumcision would happen after the days of purification that is why it is on 8th day (v.21-22)

Two turtle doves or pigeons are to be given when a lamb could not be afforded (see Lev12:8)

Through the Holy Spirit Simeon has promised fulfilled, seeing the Consolation of Israel (v.25).

Consolation is comfort. So, it is the comfort of Israel.

A promise and a warning given to Mary by Simeon (vv.33-35)

The fall, rising of many (Many will come to the Christ, many will fall or reject Him).

A sword will pierce through your very soul. Mary would have to see the rejection, suffering, death of her Son, but also the joy, sweetness, light, and resurrection of Him too.

Finally the faithfulness of the widow Anna (vv.36-38).

Her devotion, her dedication, her determination to serve and to share Jesus with others regardless of her status in life as a elderly widow.

Three important meetings

Jesus is presented at the temple on the 8th day and there are three important meetings that transpire there.

First, with Moses (vv.21-24), the law of Moses - Jesus being presented and by circumcision being put under the law. One day He would deliver the people from the bondage of the law (ref: Gal4:1-7; Mt5:17-18; Gen17:10-13).

You can read Gal4:1-7 and see the imagery of this.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law (Mt5:17-18)

Fulfilling and replacing the covenant with Abraham (Gen17:10-13) of physical circumcision. Bringing someone under covenant with God.

It is under the law, at the time of circumcision the child is given the name Jesus meaning “Jehovah is salvation.”

Jesus would live under the law and keep the law perfectly so that He could set us free from the bondage of the law.

2nd meeting, Simeon (vv.25-35)- represents like Zacharias, Elizabeth and Anna a faithful remnant looking for the Messiah, and bringing a worship, salvation, missionary hymn (ref: Mal3:19; Lk1:42-45, 46-56, 1:67-69; 2:13-14)

He like the others looked, longed for the consolation of Israel, the Messiah. Simeon was a man:

Led by the Spirit of God

Taught by the Word of God

Obedient to the will of God

Privileged to see the salvation of God (adaption Wiersbe)

He brought the last of the songs of Christ’s birth as we have already seen in Elizabeth, Mary, Zacharias, and the angels.

A song of worship: for God keeping his promise and sending the Messiah

A hymn of salvation: For he has seen the consolation, the comfort of Israel

A missionary Hymn, for the salvation will go out to the gentiles.

Simeon also brought prophesy.

3rd meeting, Anna (vv.36-38) - Grace, that is what her names means and she was a woman of great grace from God, and used as a prophetess of God for the glory of God.

(Conclusion) - Great meetings, God orchestrated these events, set up some great meetings. The meetings took the participation of the people, Joseph, Mary, Jesus, Simeon and Anna. - God makes ways for us to have great meetings to to declare our Messiah, may we learn from what we have studied today and participate for God’s glory, fulfilling God’s purpose.

(Prayer) (Exit)