Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
(ESV)
—Luke 2:21-35
by: Patrick London.
In accordance with Mosaic law, our Savior was circumcised on the eighth day, after which his name was called Jesus. Since Jesus was Mary's firstborn son, he was called Holy to the Lord. After Mary's purification, she brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to offer the required sacrifices to the Lord. Simeon, guided by the Holy Spirit, revealed what the Lord had promised him-that this child would be a light to the Gentiles and Israel.
God knows the future. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, we must not try to do anything without his guidance because God knows the beginning and end of it all.