JESUS IS SALVATION, LIGHT, AND GLORY

Passage: Luke 2:21-40

Key verse: 2

NIV

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child,(A) he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.(B)

Jesus Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses,(C) 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”[a]),(D) 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.”[b](E)

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.(F) He was waiting for the consolation of Israel,(G) and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved 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,(H) 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,(I)
    you may now dismiss[c] your servant in peace.(J)
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,(K)
31     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”(L)

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:(M) “This child is destined to cause the falling(N) and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet,(O) Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[d](P) She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.(Q) 38 Coming 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.(R)

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.(S) 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.(T)

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 2:23 Exodus 13:2,12
  2. Luke 2:24 Lev. 12:8
  3. Luke 2:29 Or promised, / now dismiss
  4. Luke 2:37 Or then had been a widow for eighty-four years.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

21 And (A)at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, (B)he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

22 And (C)when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem (D)to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in (E)the Law of the Lord, (F)“Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in (G)the Law of the Lord, (H)“a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was (I)righteous and (J)devout, (K)waiting for (L)the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not (M)see death before he had seen (N)the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when (O)the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and (P)blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant[a] depart (Q)in peace,
    (R)according to your word;
30 for (S)my eyes have seen your (T)salvation
31     (U)that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 (V)a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and (W)for glory to (X)your people Israel.”

33 And (Y)his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed (Z)for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign (AA)that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was (AB)a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.[b] She did not depart from the temple, (AC)worshiping with (AD)fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were (AE)waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

39 And when they had performed everything according to (AF)the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of (AG)Nazareth. 40 (AH)And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 2:29 Or bondservant
  2. Luke 2:37 Or as a widow for eighty-four years
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Jesus grew up as the son of observant Jewish parents Joseph and Mary. They circumcised Jesus on the eighth day and named him Jesus—which means, “the LORD saves”—as the angel had instructed. They consecrated Jesus to God as their firstborn son. They also took him to Jerusalem to offer the sacrifice of the poor for their sins (Lev 12:8). Jesus grew up in a God-fearing home with parents who obeyed God’s commands. Parents: How are you guiding and influencing your children?

In Jerusalem, the book of Luke introduces two Spirit-led people: Simeon and Anna, who prophesied about Jesus. Simeon knew Mary’s baby was the Messiah who would bring salvation, light, and glory to the world. Jesus would reveal thoughts and cause many in Israel to fall (to be judged) or to rise (to be saved) with him. Also, Mary would suffer great pain. The elderly prophetess Anna said Jesus would bring redemption to Jerusalem.

After learning of Jesus’ identity and mission from God, Mary and Joseph returned to Nazareth. There, Jesus grew up strong and wise and in God’s grace.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for sending salvation, light, and glory into this broken world through Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless us not to fall because of our sins but to be raised with Jesus by your grace.

One Word: Jesus is salvation, light, and glory to us