Jesus is presented in the temple- First Sunday after Christmas

 

Luke 2:22-40

In our Gospel reading we meet Simeon and Anna who both have prophetic insight into the child who has been brought to the temple. Jesus has been brought to the temple by his devout parents to fulfill the requirements of the law.

In Leviticus we read:

“When the days of her purification are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb in its first year for a burnt-offering, and a pigeon or a turtle-dove for a sin-offering. He shall offer it before the Lord, and make atonement on her behalf; then she shall be clean from her flow of blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, male or female. If she cannot afford a sheep, she shall take two turtle-doves or two pigeons, one for a burnt-offering and the other for a sin-offering; and the priest shall make atonement on her behalf, and she shall be clean” (Lev 12:6-8).

So, what we see happening here is that Mary and Joseph are dutifully following the requirements of the law.  We also get a glimpse into their economics since they make the offering of the poor. … Jesus is circumcised on the 8th day. Mary is ceremonially unclean for 7 days after giving birth, which doesn’t have anything to do with sin. It seems to be more associated with a concept of hygiene having to do with bodily fluids. After another 33 days after being ceremonially unclean (40 days after birth in total) she and Joseph go to the temple to make the appropriate sacrifice. This was a time of ritual purification for Mary, and it was also a time to officially name and offer their firstborn son to God. According to Scripture, firstborn sons belonged to God and a practice arose of buying a firstborn son back from God by giving 5 shekels to a Levite, who was a member of the priestly tribe. Since no money is said to be given to “buy Jesus back”, some scholars see Jesus as remaining dedicated to God’s service.

It is during this trip to the temple that Mary and Joseph encounter Simeon and Anna. As a side note, women, in the ancient world, were very low on the pecking order. One of the unusual things about Jesus was that he so often showed special care for women. As a follower of Jesus, Luke has an interesting balancing of male and female images in his gospel. Zechariah is visited by an angel, which mirrors the angel’s visit to Mary. The parable of the good shepherd who lost a sheep is paralleled with the woman who lost a coin. The farmer who plants a mustard seed is paralleled to the woman who kneads yeast into bread dough. Here again we have Simeon and Anna mirroring each other (A point made by Kenneth Bailey, p59, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes).

It is likely that Simeon was a priest at the temple. Simeon is described as being righteous and devout, and the Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not die until he had laid eyes on the Messiah. It seems like he might not have been at the temple at this time, but the Holy Spirit guided him to come to the temple at the time when Jesus would be there. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and declared who he knew him to be.

The words we read on Simeon’s lips have become known as the Nunc Dimittis and they may have been used in the early church as a common prayer or hymn. We use it in the Book of Common Prayer for Evening Prayer. Preparing for sleep, in the prayer book, is a bit like preparing for death. Simeon’s song acknowledges that we have lived to know about the messiah- to benefit from his teachings and his works- and so we are able to die in a blessed state.

The traditional words are:

“LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, / according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, / which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, / and to be the glory of thy people Israel…” (BCP p. 22).

It is a very hopeful song. In this child he sees the Messiah who will save his people. But this song also sees the Messiah’s work as extending beyond the Jewish people and enlightening the rest of humanity as well. The Messiah will be the glory of the people of Israel.

That’s not the end of his words though. He gives a blessing to the amazed parents, and then looks into Mary’s future-

“This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too” (v34-35).

The Messiah will be the cause of division. Many will rise up, some of them fishermen and tax collectors. Other will fall, some of them powerful religious leaders. Jesus will be like a stone that (if ignored) will cause people to stumble, but for others this stone will be a foundational corner stone that gives shape and support to the whole building.

The messiah will expose what is hidden in the heart. … Peter is bold. He says he will die with Jesus, but by being near Jesus he is tested and he denies him three times. The High Priest of the Temple is supposed to represent righteousness, but he participates in the killing of an innocent man. Mary, powerless to stop her son from being killed, can only stand and watch him being killed, but she doesn’t run away- she stays and endures the pain. We can hear Simeon’s words, “A sword will pierce your own soul too”. Her heart is exposed and tested by all that surrounds her son. (for a much deeper look at this, see Kenneth Bailey, p60-61, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes).

We too will rise or fall on the basis of this baby. To hold onto him with trust, will raise us up. To turn our back on him is to reject the source of freedom, joy, and love. He is the source of our hope, but he is also a challenge to us- just as he was to Peter. Our faith may very well be tested as we follow him in this world. Some will point their fingers at us saying, “you’re one of his followers aren’t you”. And the polite thing, the easy thing, will be to deny it, or to laugh it off. This baby brings hope, but he also brings a challenge. Will we choose him when it is uncomfortable, awkward, painful, or dangerous? 

 I actually love the sentimentality of Christmas. It is easy to get lost in the wonder and beauty of the season. But, we should also see the danger that surrounds the story of Jesus from the beginning. From the poverty of his parents, to the actions of Herod, right up to the crucifixion. Jesus has come to be immersed in human pain- his life is overshadowed by a cross. And that is hope because he is immersed in our pain too- God is with us- Immanuel. Like a new Moses, he will lead us to the promised land of God’s the kingdom. And just as  they had to be willing to stand against Egypt to turn toward freedom, we will also need to turn against in order to turn towards.