Jesus is Dedicated (Sunday School))

1. Jesus is dedicated to the Lord’s service (Luke 2:21-24).

Luke 2:21–24 ESV

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.”

2. Jesus is recognized as the Lord’s Messiah (Luke 2:25-32).

Luke 2:25–32 ESV

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.”

God Is Faithful: God’s faithfulness means He keeps His word and always fulfills His promises. God’s faithfulness is demonstrated in His fulfillment of the promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We reflect God by keeping the promises we make to Him and to others.

3. Jesus is exalted as the One to bring redemption (Luke 2:33-38).

Luke 2:33–38 ESV

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.” And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

“We may note in passing that [Jesus] was never regarded as a mere moral teacher. He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him. He produced mainly three effects—Hatred—Terror—Adoration. There was no trace of people expressing mild approval.” 1 –C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)

“For all have the same need for salvation in order that they might be delivered from death and sin. Even the observation of the law does not prevail in delivering from sin and death. It is only by this Savior that all salvation is prepared.” 2 –Thomas Becon (c. 1512-1567)