Linger a bit longer

LINGER A BIT

Linger a bit in the remainder of chapter two. Most of us experience the rush to Christmas, we are blessed to hear the birth narrative, Linus’ voice ringing in our ears, but the bits we read today are not quite as implanted in our minds…so linger. The bits we read today are full of more of the exotic…there are prophets…a young Jesus away from his parents for three days…

Read through it and then I have one or two more thoughts to share.

²² 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 ²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” ²⁵ 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.²⁶ 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. ²⁷ 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, ²⁸ he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

²⁹ “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation
³¹     that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.”

³³ And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴ 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 ³⁵ (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

³⁶ And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, ³⁷ and then as a widow until she was eighty-four She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸ And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

³⁹ And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

⁴¹ Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. ⁴³ And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, ⁴⁴ but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, ⁴⁵ and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ And when his parents^[c] saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” ⁴⁹ And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” ⁵⁰ And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.⁵¹ And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

The command for the first born you find in Exodus 13:1-2. And for this first born…begotten of the Father…for this first born the world has been waiting—with Simeon and Anna standing watch. Both aged. Both devout. Both prophets. Simeon’s words struck Mary and Joseph with force (2:33). Mary and Joseph knew they would name the new lad Jesus. Before that day in the Temple they no doubt knew “that he would save his people from their sin.” (cf. Mt. 1:21). But this day in Temple they heard proclaimed that he was a Light to the Gentiles.

In this chapter of the Gospel, I noted how the angel and the shepherds were the ones speaking in the last section. The angel in particular noting that this Holy Child is Savior-Messiah-Lord. Today we hear from a prophet and then the Holy Child himself.

The prophet’s words have already been mentioned. I picture the child in his arms, his face beaming with joy as he makes his proclamation.

When we get to Jesus’ words I would note two things. First, these words are the earliest recorded words of Jesus…the only words from his adolescent mouth. Remarkably these words invite us into a new level with God. Certainly the Jewish people referred to God as Father, but there is something more intimate in this scene…a young boy…separated from his parents…but telling them in essence he was not separated from his parent…his father. Furthermore, it is through him that he will teach all others that they too can and should have an intimate relationship with the Father, Abba. The path to this intimacy, the path to the Father, it is by way of all who believe in the Son.

Luke in his own way has done what John has done is his Gospel. John tells us that “to all who received Him, to all who believed in his Name, he gave the power to become children of God.” (cf. Jn. 1:12).

So linger a bit. Perhaps I am writing too often how Luke is a master, but consider the sweep of chapters 1 and 2. The stories are not merely exotic…they draw us in…and we are given seeds of an image of God, the likes of which we have never seen.