"COME, LET US ADORE HIM"
Luke 2:21-23
King James Version (KJV)
The Child of Promise
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ;)
Instead of returning to Nazareth, Joseph and Mary remain in Bethlehem. And when Mary’s days of purification were ended, Jesus was presented (circumcised) to the Lord in Jerusalem. It is apparently the custom also to give a baby boy his name on the eighth day. So they name their child Jesus, as the angel Gabriel had directed earlier.
More than a month passes, and Jesus is 40 days old. Joseph takes Mary and baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem.
According to God’s Law to Moses, 40 days after giving birth to a son, a mother is required to present a purification offering at the temple. Thus, this is what Mary does. As her offering, she brings two small birds. This reveals something about the economic situation of Joseph and Mary.
The Law of Moses indicates that a young ram, which is much more valuable than birds should be offered. However, if the mother could not afford this, two turtledoves or two pigeons would suffice.
Again, God sent a message to Mary, this time through Simeon: "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" (Luke 2:34-35).
I personally
recall watching a scene in Mel Gibson’s "Passion of the Christ" in which Mary took
a cloth and wiped the blood of her son from the court floor. Unexplainable
was the agony in my heart as I watched the horrific
beating of my Savior, and so much more was the anguish as I
watched the face of Mary as she wiped the blood of her son from the floor. Oh,
I couldn’t understand, as the tears streamed down my face how this mother shed no tears. Now I know.
In the temple, Simeon takes Jesus into his
arms. God has revealed to him that he will not die before he has seen God’s
promised Christ, or Messiah. When Simeon comes to the temple on this day, he is
directed by Holy Spirit to the child
carried by Joseph and Mary.
As Simeon
holds Jesus he thanks God, saying: "Now,
Sovereign Lord, you are letting your slave go free in peace according to your declaration;
because my eyes have seen your means of saving that you have made ready in the
sight of all the peoples, a light for removing the veil from the nations and a
glory of your people Israel."
Joseph and Mary are amazed when they hear
this. Then Simeon blesses them and says to Mary that her son "is laid for the fall and the rising again of
many in Israel" and that sorrow, like a sharp sword will pierce her
soul.
……….to be continued
Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories
Theatre of
Fine &
Performing Arts
No comments:
Post a Comment