Luke 2b Commentary
The dedication of the firstborn male child shows the LORD’s interest in family leadership. Let families be dedicated to the LORD from the very top of the tree. Jesus is the firstborn Son of God and His dedication would involve His own blood – forget the blood of a pair of doves or two young pigeons.
At this level, Jesus becomes the firstborn son in the household of obedience, the household of faith. But for now, let the Old Testament machinery perform its function.
It is the work of the Holy Spirit to enable Simeon to see salvation in a near-nameless baby born to some obscure country couple. By the same Holy Spirit, Simeon declares Jesus to be the salvation prepared in the presence of all peoples. “A light to reveal your will to the Gentiles.” Jesus’ ministry would be a presence to all peoples – the nations, all individuals, and groups. Luke would therefore maintain this special focus on all the peoples.
In a statement that would probably be a pointer to the crucifixion events, Simeon talks about how “sorrow like a sharp sword” would break Mary’s heart.
Then we have an old prophet, Anna. She spoke about Jesus (an infant Jesus) and His role in setting free Jerusalem. The author reports Anna’s words in a summarized form because the ‘eyewitness’ summarized them to the historian. But they are very important. Jerusalem represented Israel; Jerusalem represented the government. And for the remnant, Jerusalem represented the city of God whose rule was supposed to be based at the temple of the LORD.
The setup was such that the presence of the LORD would dwell in the Most Holy place. The faithful servants of the LORD knew the LORD would bless the nations from this point. But as we shall learn later, yes, it will be this place but a new one built in three days.
Jesus would spend his formative years in Nazareth, obviously frequenting the temple with his parents on scheduled dates for festivals like the Passover. It is on one of these visits when at twelve, Jesus remained behind for a chat with the scribes.
A brief chat ensued with his parents when they eventually found him. He had to be at his Father’s house, he told his parents. Strange talk it was! Yes, strange but the mother kept it in her heart. You would guess such details could only come from Mary herself narrating these events to the historian. Only a mother can be this detailed about boyish chatter!
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