Simeon Holds the Baby Jesus in the Templeby CBPepper
2:33Luke 2:33
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
About forty days after the birth Joseph and Mary took the swaddled infant to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord and to offer sacrifice according to the Jewish law. As man's substitute He had to conform to the law in every particular, and He had already been subjected to the rite of circumcision as a pledge of His obedience to the law. The marveling took place at that presentation when the offering required for His mother was made.
The law required a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove for a sin offering, but it allowed parents too poor to bring a lamb to bring a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons instead. The offerings presented had to be without blemish because they represented Christ. That requirement shows that Jesus Himself was free from physical deformity, with a body strong and healthy and a physical structure marred by no defect. Throughout His lifetime He lived in conformity to nature's laws, physically as well as spiritually an example of what obedience makes humanity.
The things spoken of Him that caused wonder were the testimonies of Simeon and Anna receiving Him as the Saviour and declaring Him to be the promised Messiah. In that temple scene Simeon and Anna testified to His divinity. God had preserved their lives to old age so they could have the joyful privilege of giving that testimony. Simeon understood Christ's mission through divine illumination, with the Holy Spirit impressing his heart. His willingness to be instructed distinguished him from the priests and rulers, who refused light and were thereby guided into deeper darkness.
Joseph and his mother marvelled at Simeon's blessing over the infant declaring Him God's salvation prepared before all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. That wondering pointed to the cross, where Mary standing by Jesus realized the truth of what had been spoken. There the hearts of persecutors, revilers and murderers were revealed as unbelieving Israel took sides against Him.
About forty days after the birth Joseph and Mary took the swaddled infant to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord and to offer sacrifice according to the Jewish law. As man's substitute He had to conform to the law in every particular, and He had already been subjected to the rite of circumcision as a pledge of His obedience to the law. The marveling took place at that presentation when the offering required for His mother was made.
The law required a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove for a sin offering, but it allowed parents too poor to bring a lamb to bring a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons instead. The offerings presented had to be without blemish because they represented Christ. That requirement shows that Jesus Himself was free from physical deformity, with a body strong and healthy and a physical structure marred by no defect. Throughout His lifetime He lived in conformity to nature's laws, physically as well as spiritually an example of what obedience makes humanity.
The things spoken of Him that caused wonder were the testimonies of Simeon and Anna receiving Him as the Saviour and declaring Him to be the promised Messiah. In that temple scene Simeon and Anna testified to His divinity. God had preserved their lives to old age so they could have the joyful privilege of giving that testimony. Simeon understood Christ's mission through divine illumination, with the Holy Spirit impressing his heart. His willingness to be instructed distinguished him from the priests and rulers, who refused light and were thereby guided into deeper darkness.
Joseph and his mother marvelled at Simeon's blessing over the infant declaring Him God's salvation prepared before all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. That wondering pointed to the cross, where Mary standing by Jesus realized the truth of what had been spoken. There the hearts of persecutors, revilers and murderers were revealed as unbelieving Israel took sides against Him.