Luke 2:21-38

Luke 2:21. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Although the old law ends with Christ, it is very instructive to notice that he came under the law, and conformed to all its appointments. Jesus, therefore, had to be circumcised. In him the law was fulfilled in every point, even to the jots and tittles; nothing was omitted. Behold, how perfect is the righteousness which he wrought out for his people!

Luke 2:22. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

Everything was done that was required by the Jewish law, you see. «When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.» «Being found in fashion as a man,» and a man under the Jewish law, Jesus and his parents were obedient to all its requirements.

Luke 2:23. (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.

This proves the poverty of our Lord's parents. If they had been able to bring a costlier sacrifice, they should have done so. The law required the offering of a lamb for a burnt offering; but there was a gracious provision in the case of the poor mother: «If she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.» Even in the case of a working-woman, the birth of her first-born son required from her a sacrifice; but it might be of the smallest kind: «A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.» Think of your Lord himself redeemed by a sacrifice, a pair of doves offered in his stead! What a wonderful coming down to our condition and position was this!

Luke 2:25. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout,

He blended in his character his duty to man and his duty to God, he was just and devout.»

Luke 2:25. Waiting for the consolation of Israel:

His devotion was not that of a blind devotee. He had eyes of expectation, he was expecting the Messiah to come, who is «the consolation of Israel.»

Luke 2:25. And the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

That which the Holy Ghost reveals will assuredly come to pass, as it did in the experience of old Simeon.

Luke 2:27. And he came by the Spirit into the temple:

Men who have the Spirit will be led by the Spirit. Simeon came into the temple at the right moment. Just when a young man was entering, with his wife and new-born child, «He came by the Spirit into the temple.»

Luke 2:27. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms,

He came in, I say, at the right time. Did ever anybody, who was not led by the Spirit, find Christ? Somebody has come in here tonight, and he does not know why he has come; but he has been led here by the Spirit that he may see Jesus, and may have such a sight of him as shall be his salvation. God grant that it may be proved that many an aged Simeon has traveled here this Sabbath night, led by the Spirit for this purpose, to find the Saviour in his own house!

Luke 2:28 ; Luke 2:32. And blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Simeon had studied the ancient prophecies to good purpose, and he perceived from them that «the Lord's Christ» would be «a light to lighten the Gentiles» as well as «the glory of» God's ancient people, «Israel.»

Luke 2:33. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

We may be very near to Christ, and yet know very little about him. Joseph and the virgin mother did not understand «those things which were spoken of him.» One wonders it was so after all that had been revealed to them; we marvel that they marvelled.

Luke 2:34. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel;

Do you understand that? Whenever Christ comes to a man, there is a fall first, and a rising again afterwards. You never knew the Lord aright if he did not give you a fall first. He pulls us down from our pride and self-sufficiency, and then he lifts us up to a position of eternal safety. He is «set» for this purpose; this is the great design of Christ's coming: «This child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel.»

Luke 2:34. And for a sign which shall be spoken against;

Christ and his gospel will always be spoken against. If you know a gospel which is approved by the age, and patronized by the learned, that gospel is a lie. You may be sure of that; but if it be spoken against, if it be slandered, if it be called absurd, unscientific, and I know not what, all that is in its favor.

Luke 2:35. (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also),

This favored woman had the greatest smart to go with her great honour. She saw the suffering and anguish of her son; and the nearer you are to Christ, the more of sorrow it will cost you, sorrow which you may be well content to bear. You know how it is put in that hymn of which many of us are very fond,

«If I find him, if I follow,

What his guerdon here?

Many a labour, many a sorrow,

Many a tear.'»

Yet, I say again, you may be well content to bear it all for his sake; for you remember what the next verse of the hymn is,

«If I still hold closely to him,

What hath be at last?

‘Borrow vanquished, labour ended,

Jordan past.'»

Luke 2:35. That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Christ and his cross are the revealers of the thoughts of men's hearts. Men's hearts can conceal their thoughts until Christ's cross comes near; then the old enmity rises up, the heart rebels, and we see what is really in men's hearts.

Luke 2:36. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. It would have been a pity for Christ to have been received in the temple only by a man. There must be a woman there, too, to join in Simeon's swan song, and to unite her testimony with his.

Luke 2:38. And she coming in that instant

God knows how to time what we call our accidental walks: «She coming in that instant»

Luke 2:38. Gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

So that the song of Simeon was sweetened by the voice of Anna, and they both rejoiced in God their Saviour; and their joy was shared by «all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.» May many of us have a share in that same joy as, by faith, we lovingly gaze upon «the Lord's Christ.»