Luke 2:21-40
Jesus Presented in the Temple
21On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
22When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
30For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."
33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
36There 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, 37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Jesus was taken to the Temple at a young age to follow the Law of Moses...Jesus was consecrated to the LORD...Firstborn sons were dedicated to serve God and a sacrifice would be given as a part of this ceremony...
There was a devoutly religious man, named Simon, who had been waiting to see the LORD's Christ before he died...The Holy Spirit had told Simon he would see the Messiah...
When Jesus is brought in, Simon knows He (young Jesus) is the One...Simon says salvation will be for all people...He probably takes reference from the prophet Isaiah (42:6), that the suffering servant would be a light for the Gentiles...
Also, a widow, named Anna was a prophetess...She worshipped in the Temple regularly...She was looking forward to seeing the One who would bring redemption to Israel...Jesus would bring redemption, but not redemption to things on earth...But a light to our spiritual needs, an acknowledgement of the Holy Spirit, a presence of God...Jesus would teach us to love God and to love our neighbors...
Simon and Anna's hope had turned to joy...How One little boy could turn one's attitude toward salvation...
Joseph and Mary, the parents of Jesus would remember this and do what was required by the Law of Moses...Jesus would grow up and be strong and full of wisdom...The grace of God would be upon Him...
Jesus would show the thoughts in our hearts...Jesus would bring truth to our hearts...Now in our hearts, Jesus would show us who we really are...Jesus would show us how God sees us... Jesus would show us how we ought and need to be...Jesus wants us to be better, with God...
Jesus can turn our hopes into joy...