Bible Stories for Adults

The Presentation of Jesus

Luke 2:21-38

Next Week - The Wise Men and Flight to Egypt (Matthew 2:1-23)

What ceremony did God command for newborn sons to become part of His family?

Leviticus 12:1-3 = Circumcision, on eighth day (day after mother's unclean week)
What was the purpose of this ceremony?

Genesis 17:9-13 = Ever-present reminder of God's covenant, (cut-off, separate)
How important was it for a Jew to participate in this ceremony?

Genesis 17:14 = Critical, to reject circumcision was to reject God & His covenant

What kind of circumcision do the members of God's new covenant family have?

Colossians 2:11 = Cut off the sinful nature, circumcision done by Christ
What kind of circumcision ceremony do we have?

Colossians 2:12 = Baptism
How important is this ceremony for God's new chosen people?

Mark 16:16 = Believe and be baptized and you will be saved

What else happened at a normal Jewish circumcision that happens at a Christian baptism?

Luke 1:59-60 = The child was named

What ceremony did God command for a mother to be purified from her uncleanness?

Leviticus 12:4 = Ceremony of purification, after 33 days
Were the instructions the same whether the child was a boy or a girl?

Leviticus 12:5 = No, twice as long for a girl - 2 weeks unclean, 66 days for purify

What was involved in the ceremony of purification?

Leviticus 12:6-7 = Take a lamb for burnt offering & pigeon or dove for sin offering
What was the purpose of the burnt offering?

Leviticus 1:2, 13 = Pleased God, rededication after long unclean separation
What was the purpose of a sin offering?

Leviticus 4:27-31 = Even unknown sins have guilt, sin offering brings forgiveness
Why was a sin offering needed after birth? Was it sinful to have children?

Psalm 51:5 = Child was sinful from birth, even from conception

What if the family was poor and couldn't afford an expensive lamb?

Leviticus 12:8 = Bring two doves or two pigeons

What claim did God make of every first-born? = Consecrate first-born to the Lord

Exodus 13:1-2, 11-12 = First offspring of every womb...belongs to me
What example did the Israelites have that showed the full meaning of this claim?

Genesis 22:1-2 = God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only son to Him
Did this mean that every first-born son was to be sacrificed? = redeem is to buy back, to free

Exodus 13:13-16 = No, God told them to redeem each first-born son as a sign
What example did the Israelites have that showed the meaning of redemption?

Genesis 22:13-14 = God provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice in Isaac's place

What was the price for redeeming a first-born son?

Numbers 18:14-16 = 5 shekels (2 ounces, 55 grams) of silver, about $4.00
Is it also important for God's new covenant people to be redeemed?

Galatians 3:13-14 = Yes, by Christ's redemption we receive God's promise
What is the price for our redemption?

Revelations 5:9 = Jesus' blood redeemed of every tribe, language, people, nation

Did Jesus' parents obey God's Law regarding circumcision of newborn sons?

Luke 2:21 = To the letter, on 8th day, named Him Jesus as instructed by angel
Did Jesus' parents obey God's Law regarding purification of the mother?

Luke 2:22 = To the letter - "according to the Law of Moses"
Did Jesus' parents obey God's Law regarding consecrating and redeeming first-born sons?

Luke 2:23-24 = To the letter, couldn't afford lamb so presented 2 birds
What is Luke's point by including these verses? = Parents kept Law for Him before He was able

Hebrews 4:15-16, 7:26-28 = Though tempted like us, Jesus was perfect to atone us

What do we know about Simeon?

Luke 2:25 = Lived in Jerusalem, righteous & devout, filled with the Holy Spirit
Wasn't every Jew waiting for the consolation of Israel? Why was this special for Simeon?

Luke 2:26 = Holy Spirit promised he would see the Messiah before he died
Did Simeon just happen to be in the temple when Mary & Joseph brought Jesus?

Luke 2:27a = He went because the Spirit guided him there

Did Simeon realize the baby Jesus was the Messiah that God had promised he would see?

Luke 2:27b-29 = Yes, told God he was ready to go because his life was complete
Nunc Dimittis = First words of the Latin translation of this verse (now dismiss)
What did Simeon claim he saw in Jesus?

Luke 2:30-31 = God's salvation that is given in the sight of all nations
Was Simeon an eloquent speaker or did he plagiarize these words?

Isaiah 52:10 = He was quoting Messianic prophesy from Isaiah, Jesus fulfilled

While others looked for a Messiah who would politically rebuild Israel, what did Simeon see?

Luke 2:32 = He would be a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel
Where did these words come from?

Isaiah 42:6 = Messiah would be covenant for the people & light for Gentiles
Isaiah 49:6 = A light for the Gentiles to bring God's salvation worldwide
Was this universal purpose of Jesus understood by the Jews during His time?

Acts 11:1-4, 18 = Even disciples didn't understand until well after Jesus ascended

After seeing angels and shepherds, did Simeon's talk phase Mary & Joseph?

Luke 2:33 = They marveled at what was said
What else did Simeon have to say?

Luke 2:34-35 = Blessed M&J, Prophesied of Jesus' life & mission

What did Simeon mean that Jesus would cause the falling of many in Israel?

Isaiah 8:14-15 = ...a stone that causes men to stumble, difficult to accept Him
How did Paul explain why many Jews fell?

Romans 10:1-4 = Jews zealous for religion, did not submit to God's righteousness
What did Simeon mean that Jesus would cause the rising of many in Israel?

Malachi 4:2 = Those who revere Christ's name ... will go out and leap...
Did Paul agree that some Jews would be saved?

Romans 10:12-13 = There is no difference...all faithful will be saved
What analogy did Peter use to describe this?

1 Peter 2:6-8 = Jesus is precious cornerstone rejected by builders, causes stumble

How was Jesus a sign that will be spoken against?

Acts 5:40, 8:1 = Christians have been persecuted for their faith
How would the thoughts of many hearts be revealed?

Revelation 3:15-16 = Because you're lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I.spit you out
Luke 11:23 = He who is not with me is against me...
What was meant by, "And a sword will pierce your own soul too"?

John 19:25-27 = Mary watched her special son crucified

Who else was in the temple when Jesus was presented?

Luke 2:36 = A prophetess named Anna
What was significant about Anna being of the tribe of Asher? = Israel dispersed forever

2 Kings 17:22-24 = Christ not only for Judah, but also lost Israelites & non-Jews

Why does Luke make a point that Anna was very old?

Proverbs 31:23 = Elders were highly respected for their wisdom from experience
How old (and wise) was Anna?

Luke 2:37 = Either 84, or 84 since being a widow (84+7+15+ = 106+)
How does Paul's instruction for widows help us understand Anna's life?

1 Timothy 5:3-5 = Anna had no one to care for her but the Lord
Being close to God by her age and temple life, how did Anna respond when she saw Jesus?

Luke 2:38 = She thanked God, spoke to others about Jesus