VISIT OF THE SHEPHERDS, AND CHRIST’S PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE
Lesson II.—Sabbath, January 14, 1899.
VISIT OF THE SHEPHERDS, AND CHRIST’S PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE.
Bethlehem and Jerusalem, B.C. 5.
Note.—The texts included in marks of parentheses, while not essential to the lesson study, will be found to throw much light upon the lesson, and are suggested for those who wish to study further.
8 “And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in 9 the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you 11 good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people; for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, 12 which is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a Babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude 13 of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased.
15 “And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to 16 pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the 17 Babe lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them 18 about this Child. And all that heard it wondered at the things 19 which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. But Mary 20 kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.
21 “And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising Him, His name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22 “And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Him up to Jerusalem, 23 to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy 24 to the Lord), and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, 25 whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy 26 Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had 27 seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, that they might do concerning Him after the custom of the law, 28 then he received Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, O Lord,
According to Thy word, in peace; 30 For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,
31 Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 A light for revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Thy people Israel.
33 And His father and His mother were marveling at the things 34 which were spoken concerning Him; and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and rising up of many in Israel; and for a 35 sign which is spoken against; yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the 36 daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, and she had been a widow even for fourscore and four 37 years), which departed not from the temple, worshiping with fastings and supplications night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of Him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
1. Who were in the fields near Bethlehem? and what were they doing when Jesus was born? Luke 2:8. (Ps. 25:14; Amos 3:7.)
2. How did the Lord present Himself before the shepherds? Verse 9.
3. At the view given them, what was their state of mind? and what message of comfort was delivered to them? Verses 10, 11. (Gen. 12:3; Isa. 9:6, 7; Acts 10:36.)
4. By what sign were the shepherds to recognize Jesus? Verse 12.
5. Immediately following this announcement, what demonstration was made? Verses 13, 14. (Heb. 1:14; Gen. 28:10-12; John 1:51.)
6. Upon the departure of the angels, where did the shepherds go? Verses 15, 16.
7. Having found the Saviour, what did the shepherds then do? Verse 17. (John 1:41, 45.)
8. What effect did the words of the shepherds have upon those who heard? Verse 18.
9. How did the mother of Jesus regard the things passing around her? Verse 19. (Luke 1:66.)
10. With what spirit did the shepherds return from their visit? Verse 20. (Isa. 61:1-3.)
11. In order to fulfil the law of Moses, where did the parents of Jesus take Him forty days after His birth? Verse 22. (Lev. 12:2-4.)
12. What did this law require the parents to offer as a sacrifice on such occasions? Verses 23, 24. See note. (Lev. 12:6-8; Ex. 34:20; Num. 3:13.)
13. While this service was being performed, who came into the temple? and what led him to go there? Verses 25-27. (Acts 8:29, 39; 10:19.)
15. Taking the Child Jesus in his arms, what did Simeon say of Him? Verses 28-32. (Isa. 9:2; 60:1, 2.)
16. In blessing the parents, what predictions did he make concerning the Child? Verses 34, 35. (Isa. 8:14; John 19:35; Acts 28:22.)
17. When Simeon ceased to prophesy, who else came upon the scene? Verses 36, 37. (1 Tim. 5:5.)
18. Upon seeing Jesus, what did she do? Verse 38.
Side Lights.—“Desire of Ages,” pp. 47-57. “Spirit of Prophecy,” vol. 2, chapter 1.
NOTE.
To offer a sacrifice.—There were two reasons why the parents of Jesus took Him to Jerusalem at this time. The Mosaic law required an offering of every mother, at the end of her days of purification. When she was in circumstances to permit it, this was to consist of a lamb of the first year for a burnt-offering, and a young pigeon or a turtle-dove for a sin-offering. But when the parents were too poor to provide the lamb, the law was satisfied with simply a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons. The fact that Christ’s parents offered only the latter shows that they were in the deepest poverty. Again, the law required that a first-born son should be redeemed by a fixed sum, and this requirement must be fulfilled by the parents of our Lord, since He was Mary’s first-born.
