Changing Tradition

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December 28, 2008 - Luke 2:21-40

Open It

  1. What ceremony, ritual, or tradition in your church do you enjoy the most?

  2. Who is one of your most interesting elderly friends?

  3. What wisdom have you gained from your grandparents or elderly relatives?

Explore It

  1. Why did Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple? When? (2:22-23)

  2. How old was Jesus the first time Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple? (2:22-23)

  3. Who was Simeon? (2:25-27)

  4. How did Luke describe the man named Simeon? (2:25-32)

  5. What did Simeon do with the Christ child? (2:28-32)

  6. What special significance did Christ's arrival have for Simeon? (2:26-29)

  7. How did Simeon's prophecy point out that Christ would be the Savior for the world? (2:32)

  8. What did Joseph and Mary do after they heard what Simeon had to say? (2:33)

  9. To whom did Simeon address his second statement about Jesus? (2:34-35)

  10. What did Simeon say to Mary? (2:34-35)

  11. Who was Anna? (2:36-38)

  12. How did Luke describe the woman named Anna? (2:36-38)

  13. What was Anna's response to finding Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child in the temple? (2:38)

  14. What were Jesus' childhood years like? (2:40)

  15. How did Luke summarize Jesus' childhood years? (2:40)

  16. What character qualities were apparent in Jesus during His childhood? (2:40)

Get It

  1. In what ways can we see God working behind the scenes in the events of Christ's childhood?

  2. What of Simeon's prophecy is still true today?

  3. What did Simeon's warning to Mary mean?

  4. In what ways are Simeon and Anna examples to us?

  5. Using Christ's childhood as an example, what character qualities should parents seek to develop in their children?

  6. In what different ways did Anna and Simeon each receive the Christ child?

  7. What roles can other Christians have in our life of faith?

  8. How important is it to introduce our children to faith in God as early and consistently as possible?

  9. If you could step back in time and stand next to Simeon, what would you want to say about the Christ child?

Apply It

  1. How could you express your thanks to God this week for becoming a human being to provide a way of salvation?

  2. What action could you take this week to show your desire to be faithful to God?

Notes

Luke 2:21-24: Jewish families went through several ceremonies soon after a baby's birth:

(1) Circumcision. Every boy was circumcised and named on the eighth day after birth (Leviticus 12:3; Luke 1:59-60). Circumcision symbolized the Jews' separation from Gentiles and their unique relationship with God (see the second note on § Luke 1:59).

(2) Redemption of the firstborn. A firstborn son was presented to God one month after birth (Exodus 13:2, 11-16; Numbers 18:15-16). The ceremony included buying back-"redeeming"-the child from God through an offering. Thus the parents acknowledged that the child belonged to God, who alone has the power to give life.

(3) Purification of the mother. For 40 days after the birth of a son and 80 days after the birth of a daughter, the mother was ceremonially unclean and could not enter the temple.

At the end of her time of separation, the parents were to bring a lamb for a burnt offering and a dove or pigeon for a sin offering. The priest would sacrifice these animals and declare her to be clean. If a lamb was too expensive, the parents could bring a second dove or pigeon instead. This is what Mary and Joseph did.

Jesus was God's Son, but his family carried out these ceremonies according to God's law. Jesus was not born above the law; instead, he fulfilled it perfectly.

Luke 2:28-32: When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be consecrated to God, they met an old man who told them what their child would become. Simeon's song is often called the Nunc Dimittis, because these are the first words of its Latin translation. Simeon could die in peace because he had seen the Messiah.

2:32 The Jews were well acquainted with the Old Testament prophecies that spoke of the Messiah's blessings to their nation. They did not always give equal attention to the prophecies saying that he would bring salvation to the entire world, not just the Jews (see, for example, Isaiah 49:6). Many thought that Christ had come to save only his own people. Luke made sure his Greek audience understood that Christ had come to save all who believe, Gentiles as well as Jews.

Luke 2:33: Joseph and Mary "marveled" (were amazed) for three reasons: Simeon said that Jesus was a gift from God; Simeon recognized Jesus as the Messiah; and Simeon said Jesus would be a light to the entire world. This was at least the second time that Mary had been greeted with a prophecy about her son; the first time was when Elizabeth welcomed her as the mother of her Lord (Luke 1:42-45).

Luke 2:34-35: Simeon prophesied that Jesus would have a paradoxical effect on Israel. Some would fall because of him (see Isaiah 8:14-15), while others would rise (see Malachi 4:2). With Jesus, there would be no neutral ground: people would either joyfully accept him or totally reject him. As Jesus' mother, Mary would be grieved by the widespread rejection he would face. This is the first note of sorrow in Luke's Gospel.

Luke 2:36-37: Although Simeon and Anna were very old, they had never lost their hope that they would see the Messiah. Led by the Holy Spirit, they were among the first to bear witness to Jesus. In the Jewish culture, elders were respected, so because of Simeon's and Anna's age, their prophecies carried extra weight. Our society, however, values youthfulness over wisdom, and potential contributions by the elderly are often ignored. As Christians, we should reverse those values wherever we can. Encourage older people to share their wisdom and experience. Listen carefully when they speak. Offer them your friendship and help them find ways to continue to serve God.

2:36-37 Anna was called a prophetess, indicating that she was unusually close to God. Prophets did not necessarily predict the future. Their main role was to speak for God, proclaiming his truth.

Luke 2:39: Did Mary and Joseph return immediately to Nazareth, or did they remain in Bethlehem for a time (as implied in Matthew 2)? Apparently there is a gap of several years between Luke 2:38 and Luke 2:39-ample time for them to find a place to live in Bethlehem, flee to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath, and return to Nazareth when it was safe to do so.

Luke 2:40: Jesus was filled with wisdom, which is not surprising since he stayed in close contact with his heavenly Father. James 1:5 says God gives wisdom generously to all who ask. Like Jesus, we can grow in wisdom by walking with God.

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