8/7/2019 For the Rise and Fall of Many: Luke 2: 21-40

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1David Battle

Johns Island Southern Methodist

January 9, 2011For the Rise and Fall of Many

Luke 2:21-39 (NIV)

(21)On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus 1, the

name the angel had given him before he had been conceived (Luke 1:31).

(22)When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses2 had bencompleted, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord3 (23) (as it is

written in the Law of the Lord, Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord (Exod

13:2, 12)), (24) and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: a

pair of doves or two young pigeons (Lev 12:8)4.(25) Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.5

He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (26) It had been

revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lords Christ6.

(27) Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought the childJesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,7 (28) Simeon took him in his arms and

praised God, saying:

(29) Sovereign Lord8, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.

(30) For my eyes have seen your salvation,

(31)which you have prepared in the sight of all people.(32) a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.

(33) The childs father and mother marveled at what was said about him. (34)ThenSimeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: This child is destined to cause the falling

and rising of many in Israel,

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and to be a sign that will be spoken against, (35)so that the thoughts1Leon Morris notes that Luke only alludes to the circumcision of Jesus (86). The

emphasis is on the fact that our Lord was named Jesus. The reader is drawn back to Luke1:32-33. Yet, Luke does not explicitly explain the etymology of the name.

2The purification period after the birth of a son was forty days (Lev12:2-8), eighty days

for a girl.3The second rite was that of redemption of the first born. Luke acknowledges this by his

citation of Exod 13:2, but implies by the use of the word to present that Jesus is dedicated to

the Lord as Hannah did with Samuel (1 Sam 1:9-11, 21-2:11)4Joseph and Mary gave the offering of a poor family.5Leon Morris notes that the word pair righteous and devout can be understood as

meaning that Simeon behaved rightly before men and was fully committed to God (87).6Could be translated as the anointed of the Lord.7In the rite of redemption of the first born, the family would pay four shekels to ransom

the boy back into the family (Num 18:15f).8This prayer is known by its Latin opening,Nunc Dimittis.9Commentators identify two ways of understanding this phrase. It could refer to one

group of people in Israel who fall by being humbled and who then are saved by the raising of

God. The preferred understanding is that some people will fall into damnation and others will

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of many hearts will be revealed10. And a sword will pierce you own soul too.

(36) There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.

She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, (37) and whenwas a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day,

fasting and praying. (38) Coming up to them at the very moment, she gave thanks to God and

spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.(39) When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they

returned to Galilee to their town of Nazareth. (40) And the child grew and became strong; he was

filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

Additional Thoughts

From the context, we may take away the following:

Parents emphasize with their children that which they find important. If God is important

to you will make sure that they are brought up within a congregation.

When one person in a family has been defiled the whole is defiled and stands in need ofcleansing.

From Lukes point we learn the following about Jesus.He is Gods salvation

He is the revelation that the Gentiles need

He is the glory of the people Israel

People will be divided over Him.How they respond to Him and His message will reveal their inner heart.

For some this revelation will cause them to reject Him, and they will fall.

For other this revelation will cause them to submit to Him and he will liftthem up.

rise in the resurrection.10The deepest and darkest thoughts will be revealed by how people respond to the person

and work of Christ.