Tonight we continue our journey through the Gospel of Luke with a discussion of Luke 2 where we encounter the Nativity and the Presentation. In the second half of this chapter, the Temple will play a central role. All you will need for our journey is a Bible.
The Circumcision: (v.21)
Like John (Luke 1:59), Jesus is also circumcised and named on the eighth day. Circumcision on the eighth day, of course, is the outward sign of the covenant between God and Abraham and his descendants. Gen. 17:11-12. Throughout these first two chapters, Luke wants to ensure that Theophilus knows that Jesus is faithful to Judaism and the Jewish Scriptures. As Paul will later write, it is Jesus’ rootedness within Judaism from where salvation for even the Gentiles arises. Rom. 11:18.
The church celebrates this occurrence on January 1 (eight days inclusive of Christmas) as either the Feast of the Circumcision or the Feast of the Holy Name.
The Purification and the Presentation: (vv.22-24)
Under Jewish law, a woman who gave birth was ritually impure because of the shedding of blood that accompanies childbirth. Lev. 12. For the birth of a son, ritual purification took place forty days after the birth by presenting a sacrifice of either a lamb or two turtledoves, depending upon the woman’s financial status. Luke 12:8. Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph go to the Temple at the prescribed time with the two turtledoves for the purification ritual. (This same purification rite carries over into some Christian traditions with the Churching of Women. See, Anglican Rite, Orthodox Rite.)
Also, under Jewish law, God commands that the firstborn males of both man and beast are to be consecrated to God. Ex. 13:1, 12. However, the first-born human male is to be redeemed, i.e. something is to be given in lieu of the child. This redemption is linked to the sacrifice of the lamb during the Passover in Exodus 12 whose blood prevented the Destroyer from killing the firstborn of the Israelites during the Tenth Plague. The redemption price is five silver shekels paid to the priest one month after the birth. Num. 18:16. This ritual of pidyon haben is still carried out by Jews today.
Luke, however, never says that the baby Jesus is redeemed or that Joseph, who had the obligation of redemption, ever paid the redemption price. Luke merely says that Jesus was “presented” to the Lord. In using the word “presentation” without any ritual redemption, Luke is tracking the story of Samuel who (in the Septuagint (the Greek language Old Testament that Luke quotes from)) was likewise “presented” without redemption and served Eli in the Temple instead of being handed back over to Hannah and his father. 1 Sam. 1:22. In the words of Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus is never redeemed under the law, and instead “the child is handed over to God, and from now on belongs to him completely.” The Infancy Narratives, p.82.
The church celebrates this occurrence on February 2 (40 days inclusive after Christmas) as the Feast of the Presentation. The Feast is also called Candlemas since Jesus is the light of the world (Lk. 2:32), and this became the day to bless all the candles for the coming year. This is also the last day to keep up Christmas decorations.
Simeon and Anna: (vv.25-40)
One of the hallmarks of Luke’s writings is male and female pairs. He begins his gospel with Zechariah and Elizabeth, and here Luke gives us two prophetic witnesses – one male, one female. Here, Simeon and Anna also raise their voices of thanksgiving for the coming of God’s redemption in Jesus with those of the shepherds, the angels, Mary, Zechariah, and Elizabeth.
Within the Song of Simeon (that we say every Tuesday night during Compline), Luke summarizes how the words of Isaiah are fulfilled in Jesus. See, Luke 1:1. Simeon is waiting on Israel’s consolation (or comforter). v.25, Isa. 40:1, 57:18. Simeon sees the salvation of God in Jesus. v.30, Isa. 52:10. This salvation is a light for all nations to come to God. v.32a, Isa. 42:6, 49:6, 52:10, 60:3. And this salvation is a glory to Israel. v.32b, Isa. 45:25, 46:13.
Jesus and his Parents: (vv.39-52)
Luke ends his nativity with a story from Jesus’ childhood. This is the only story we have of Jesus as a boy. This story reinforces the understanding that Jesus was presented to God and not redeemed. Jesus is in his Father’s house and not with his earthly parents. v.49. Like the disciples later, Jesus’s parents do not fully understand who Jesus is. v.50. It is only after the Resurrection that the fullness of Jesus’s identity comes into focus. Luke 24:31, 45.
Luke ends his story with a repetition that Mary stored all of these things in her heart (vv. 19, 51) and that Jesus increased in wisdom and divine and human favor. v.52. of the young Jesus with the statement that Jesus Luke also gives a foreshadowing of Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection. In this ending, among other things, Luke is holding up Mary and Jesus as an example for Theophilus and us. Like Mary, we are to ponder and treasure all that has transpired in this account. And like Jesus, we too are to grow in wisdom and divine favor.
Dinner is at 6. The menu is cheesesteak baked potatoes. Discussion about 6:45. Compline at 8. Hope to see you here!
The Lord has bared his holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God.
Isaiah 52:10