A Song of Promise
Notes
Transcript
Big Idea: Faithfulness in waiting leads to divine encounters with Christ, affirming that God keeps His promises despite human limitations and time delays.
1. Preparation for Promise, vs. 21-24.
1. Preparation for Promise, vs. 21-24.
Let’s begin by noting the significance of Jesus undergoing the customary Jewish ceremonies.
There were three ceremonies, two of them uniquely for the male child, one uniquely for the firstborn male child.
The first ceremony was circumcision. This was to be performed on the eighth day after the birth of a male child only. It was a physical sign made in the flesh of the male’s genitals marking the covenant made between God and Abraham, Genesis 17:12-14
“And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants.
“A servant who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
“But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”
Later, this is part of the Law the LORD gave through Moses to the children of Israel, Lev 12:1-3
Leviticus 12:1–3 (NASB95)
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying: ‘When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for seven days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean.
‘On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
This was a time of celebration for the family and friends as the naming of the child was made known on the same day,
And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father.
But his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.”
Note the contrast: Jesus’ circumcision did not have family or friends attending to it, in comparison to that of John the Baptist. Note the obedience of His earthly parents as they fulfilled the law and as they gave Him the name foretold them by the angel Gabriel to Mary, a name full of significant meaning — “Yahweh Saves” or “Yahweh is Salvation.”
As One who is circumcised, Jesus “is under obligation to keep the whole law, Gal. 5:3
And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.
But He is the only one who could keep the whole law in the flesh since the fall of man!
The second ceremony was the redemption of the firstborn, which had its roots in the Exodus events. Exodus 13:2
“Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the first offspring of every womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and beast; it belongs to Me.”
Each sanctified firstborn was to be used in service to the LORD in ministry, but later every male of the tribe of Levi was set aside for the LORD’s service to replace the firstborn sons. To redeem the firstborn sons, Numbers 18:15-16
“Every first issue of the womb of all flesh, whether man or animal, which they offer to the Lord, shall be yours; nevertheless the firstborn of man you shall surely redeem, and the firstborn of unclean animals you shall redeem.
“As to their redemption price, from a month old you shall redeem them, by your valuation, five shekels in silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.
This act was to be performed thirty days after the firstborn son’s birth. Luke does not mention this act being performed for Jesus, though some scholars suggest it is implied in verses 22 and 23. His earthly family, seen here and in the text that follows, is a family for whom obedience to the Law was an unargued assumption of life.
I believe that the prescription of Exodus 13:2 concerning the firstborn son was literally fulfilled in the case of Jesus, the firstborn, Luke 2:7,
And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
who was not ransomed but, contrary to normal custom, was dedicated to God and belonged to Him permanently! This is why I believe no redemption price is mentioned.
The third ceremony is the rite of purification of the mother after the birth of a child. It was an offering for ritual uncleaness to make the mother ritually clean and able to participate in the religious life of the Israelite community once again. It should be noted that ritual uncleaness is not the same as sinfulness. All sin resulted in uncleanness in Israel, but uncleanness was not always the result of sin,
A mother was considered ritually unclean for seven days following the birth of a boy. Following the circumcision of her baby boy she remained in the blood of her purification for 33 days. For a baby girl, the mother was considered unclean for 14 days, followed by 66 days of remaining in the blood of her purification.
At the end of this time, an offering was to be brought with an allowance for the mother who could not afford it. It was required of each mother to bring a lamb for a burnt offering and a dove for a sin offering. If the placed too much of a financial hardship on the family, the mother was allowed to offer two turtle doves or two young pigeons. This was what the family of Jesus did, indicating they were not wealthy enough to provide the lamb. If we compare this to the record of Matthew 2, we would also note the magi have not yet arrived with their gifts!
2. Persistent Faith Rewarded, vs. 25-28.
2. Persistent Faith Rewarded, vs. 25-28.
Luke 2:25-28
We are now introduced to Simeon, a godly individual possessing three essential characteristics of Old Testament piety: First, Simeon was “righteous and devout”; Second, he was one of the believing remnant looking for Messiah’s appearing, “the consolation of Israel. Third, “the Holy Spirit was upon him.”
Simeon, a man of faith, represents the hope of Israel during a time of patient expectation. The Holy Spirit revealed that he would see for himself the Lord’s Christ (Messiah) before he would see death. Then the Holy Spirit led Simeon to be present in the temple courtyard when Mary and Joseph arrived to consecrate Jesus to God. Once more, Jesus’ presence was a reason for joy and the praise of God
Simeon's life of devotion challenges us to embrace faith as both a practice and a posture of expectancy.
3. Peace Through Promise, vs. 29-32.
3. Peace Through Promise, vs. 29-32.
Luke 2:29-32
This song of Simeon’s has a Latin name: the “Nunc Dimittis’, meaning “Now you let depart.” We have no idea how old Simeon is here, his words could imply that he is an old man, and now can leave the bonds of this earth in peace, or may be just a way of saying that this experience is the greatest thing that has happened in my life, and nothing can top it. Note that Simeon acknowledges God’s sovereignty and properly regards himself as God’s bond-servant.
When we have faith in God's promises, it can transform our perception from worldly concerns to an eternal vision of peace and salvation.
Simeon's words remind us that Christ is central to the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for the world. We must find peace in God's timing and to understand our lives within the broader context of God's narrative of salvation through Christ.
4. Personal Prophetic Promises, Vs. 33-35.
4. Personal Prophetic Promises, Vs. 33-35.
Luke 2:33-35
Mary and Joseph understood that Jesus was the Messiah, yet Simeon referred to some of the Old Testament revelation about Messiah that they may have not connected to Jesus’ future ministry. here God used a stranger to remind them of their Son’s significance for the Gentile people.
He declared Mary and Joseph blessed by God. Decisions would be made regarding Jesus which would impact eternal destinies, yet He and His earthly ministry would be a sign that God was at work; Jesus is the one through whom God points to his salvation and offers proof of its reality. (Marshall, The Gospel of Luke. page 122)
He is the predicted stone and rock of offense, Isa 8:14-15
“Then He shall become a sanctuary; But to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over, And a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
“Many will stumble over them, Then they will fall and be broken; They will even be snared and caught.”
Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.
Jesus will bear the cost and pay the price; Mary will suffer the wounds of His rejection. The sword that Luke mentions is a word used to describe a long Thracian javelin.
5. Proclaiming Hope Fulfilled, vs. 36-38.
5. Proclaiming Hope Fulfilled, vs. 36-38.
Luke 2:36-38
Another person now enters the scene. She is Anna, a female prophetess and a descendant from the tribe of Asher,
She could be said to have every reason to be be upset with God. Her husband died after seven years of marriage, no indication of having any children and now at 84 years, life is near its end. But she is not upset with God—she had devoted herself to worshipping and serving God in the temple. Regularly like clockwork she was at the temple, year after year, serving with fastings and prayers before her God continuously.
She anticipated the redemption of Jerusalem, or used figuratively by Luke, referring to Israel, cf. Isaiah 52:9
Break forth, shout joyfully together, You waste places of Jerusalem; For the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.
God gave Anna prophetic insight into who Jesus was. Both Simeon and Anna testified about the birth of Messiah, adding to the number of witnesses sharing this good news.
Consider Anna's encounter with Jesus and her ensuing joy as an emblem of recognizing God's promises and sharing the hope of Christ with others. Her devotion, even at an advanced age, suggests that God's promises transcend human limitations. Anna's response can inspire us to declare God's faithfulness to others, demonstrating a life made full through persistent hope and testimony about Jesus, the fulfillment of God's promises.