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1David Battle

Johns Island Southern Methodist


January 9, 2011
For the Rise and Fall of Many
Luke 2:21-39 (NIV)

(21)On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus1, the
name the angel had given him before he had been conceived (Luke 1:31).
(22)When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses2 had ben
completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord3 (23) (as it is
written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” (Exod
13:2, 12)), (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” (Lev 12:8)4.
(25) Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.5
He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (26) It had been
revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ6.
(27) Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought the child
Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,7 (28) Simeon took him in his arms and
praised God, saying:

(29) “Sovereign Lord8, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
(30) For my eyes have seen your salvation,
(31)which you have prepared in the sight of all people.
(32) a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to 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,9 and to be a sign that will be spoken against, (35)so that the thoughts
1
Leon Morris notes that Luke only alludes to the circumcision of Jesus (86). The
emphasis is on the fact that our Lord was named “Jesus.” The reader is drawn back to Luke
1:32-33. Yet, Luke does not explicitly explain the etymology of the name.
2
The purification period after the birth of a son was forty days (Lev12:2-8), eighty days
for a girl.
3
The second rite was that of redemption of the first born. Luke acknowledges this by his
citation of Exod 13:2, but implies by the use of the word “to present” that Jesus is dedicated to
the Lord as Hannah did with Samuel (1 Sam 1:9-11, 21-2:11)
4
Joseph and Mary gave the offering of a poor family.
5
Leon Morris notes that the word pair “righteous” and “devout” can be understood as
meaning that Simeon behaved rightly before men and was fully committed to God (87).
6
Could be translated as the “anointed of the Lord.”
7
In the rite of redemption of the first born, the family would pay four shekels to ransom
the boy back into the family (Num 18:15f).
8
This prayer is known by its Latin opening, Nunc Dimittis.
9
Commentators identify two ways of understanding this phrase. It could refer to one
group of people in Israel who fall by being humbled and who then are saved by the raising of
God. The preferred understanding is that some people will fall into damnation and others will
of many hearts will be revealed10. And a sword will pierce you own soul too.”
(36) There 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, (37) and when
was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day,
fasting and praying. (38) Coming up to them at the 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 town of Nazareth. (40) And the child grew and became strong; he was
filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

Additional Thoughts

From the context, we may take away the following:


Parents emphasize with their children that which they find important. If God is important
to you will make sure that they are brought up within a congregation.
When one person in a family has been defiled the whole is defiled and stands in need of
cleansing.
From Luke’s point we learn the following about Jesus.
He is God’s salvation
He is the revelation that the Gentiles need
He is the glory of the people Israel
People will be divided over Him.
How they respond to Him and His message will reveal their inner heart.
For some this revelation will cause them to reject Him, and they will fall.
For other this revelation will cause them to submit to Him and he will lift
them up.

rise in the resurrection.


10
The deepest and darkest thoughts will be revealed by how people respond to the person
and work of Christ.

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