JESUS IS SALVATION, LIGHT, AND GLORY

Luke 2:21-40 / Keywords 2:30, 32

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation…32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.

 

2:21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Jesus Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, 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”[b]), 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.”[c]

25 Now 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 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

    you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

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.”

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: “This child is destined to cause the falling 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, 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.[e] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 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.

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. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Footnotes

b. Luke 2:23 Exodus 13:2,12

c. Luke 2:24 Lev. 12:8

d. Luke 2:29 Or promised, / now dismiss

e. Luke 2:37 Or then had been a widow for eighty-four years.

1. 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?

2. 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.

3. 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