Third Sunday of Advent: The Testimony of Two Elders

Introduction

Today is the third Sunday of Advent. On the first Sunday we looked at John 1 and the pre-incarnation of Jesus and Him coming down to earth. Last week we looked at the role of angels in the birth and how their presence is frightening. Today we are going to look at two other people that played a role soon after the birth of Jesus when Mary, Joseph, and Jesus go to the Temple.

Context

So normally when we are looking at the birth of Jesus we stop at around verse 20 of chapter 2 of Luke’s Gospel and then we jump back to the story of Magi / Wise Men in Matthew 2 (who came around a year to a year and a half after Jesus’ birth), yet Luke’s Gospel gives us more about Jesus’ birth with an event eight days after His birth and then 40 days after that. We will be focusing mostly on the two people who played a role 40 days after Jesus’ birth today.

The first event that we see happen in Jesus’ life after His birth is the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant. Jesus was circumcised and His name is officially proclaimed. Yehosua, Yahweh is Salvation! It is the name Joshua.

Luke 2:21 NKJV

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

He is taken to a local Rabbi in Bethlehem and He is circumcised.

Genesis 17:10-14 “This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.””

2. Name will be JESUS

Matthew 1:20-21 “But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.””

Luke 1:31-33 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.””

Purification

From this event we jump around 33 days. When Mary and Joseph and Jesus go to the Temple to offer a sacrifice at the end of her time of purification (from her ritual uncleaness).

Leviticus 12:1-4 “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If a woman has conceived, and borne a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of her customary impurity she shall be unclean. And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. She shall then continue in the blood of her purification thirty-three days. She shall not touch any hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary until the days of her purification are fulfilled.”

Luke 2:22–24 NKJV

Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who 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.”

Exodus 13:2 ““Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.””

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 2

The offering of a poor woman. The law stipulated that a lamb be offered, but if the woman could not afford a lamb then she could offer two turtledoves or pigeons (Lev 12:8).

Leviticus 12:8 “‘And if she is not able to bring a lamb, then she may bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons—one as a burnt offering and the other as a sin offering. So the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’ ””

It is during this time in the Temple that two people are introduced to us.

Simeon

The first one is a man called Simeon. Let us read about him in verses 25-27.

Luke 2:25–27 NKJV

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just 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. So he came by 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,

English Standard Version Chapter 2

25 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. 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. 27 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,

Just/Righteous and Devout (God fearing)

Waiting for the Consolation (or the Comfort/Encouragement) of Israel.

Holy Spirit is upon him

It had been revealed that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah.

He was lead by the Holy Spirit to the temple that day

Can you imagine this old man having been promised to see the Messiah before he died.

Prophecy

Luke 2:28–32 NKJV

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 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

English Standard Version Chapter 2

29  “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,

according to your word;

30  for my eyes have seen your salvation

31  that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32  a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and for glory to your people Israel.”

Reaction and Blessing/Prophecy

Luke 2:33–35 NKJV

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna

Luke 2:36–38 NKJV

Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 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, 37 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. 38 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.

Proclaiming the Salvation of God

These two give testimony to what Jesus was going to do.

Conclusion