Jesus’ presentation
Bible Study Notes Luke 2.22-39 w/c 3 January 2021
STARTER
You might like to start by reflecting on your experiences over Christmas – both personal and church. Did you find any of the church services/events helpful or encouraging? If so, why not contact the staff team and tell them! We all need encouraging from time to time.
STUDY
Read the passage (Luke 2.22-39)
Q1 - What is your understanding of verse 22?
Mary & Joseph faithfully honoured the Jewish Law. After Mary’s days of purification (Lev 12.3) they took Jesus to the Temple to redeem him = present him to the Lord (Num 18). A Jewish mother stayed at home for 40 days after the birth of a male child (80 days for a daughter). She was regarded as “impure” so not able to go to the Temple or engage in religious services (Lev 12.1-5). A first-born male was regarded as “holy to the Lord” (Ex 13.2) = belonged to the office of a priest. In time the tribe of Levi was chosen to take the place of the eldest son and to serve in the Temple (Num 8.5ff). The parents were still required to present their child to God and offer a suitable sacrifice. The sacrifice made by Mary & Joseph was regarded as the “poor offering”.
Q2 - What does this suggest about (a) where Mary & Joseph were staying, (b) the visit of the Magi? See also Mt 2.9
They had not yet returned to Nazareth. One of the gifts offered by the Magi was gold. Although we are not told the value of that gift, surely there would have been sufficient to offer a year-old lamb? So that suggests the Magi had not yet arrived.
Q3 - What do we learn about Simeon?
Righteous, i.e. he observed the Law and sought to keep the commandments. This was an impossible task (Rom 3.10) but Simeon strove to be faithful. Devout, i.e. he was “God-fearing” and revered God. Also he was waiting for the consolation of Israel = he was hoping for release from Roman bondage and was looking for the coming of the Messiah.
Q4 - What do you think is meant by “the Holy Spirit was upon him” (25)? How might the Holy Spirit have revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ/Messiah (26)? There would have been many parents in the Temple, each bringing their child to be redeemed, so how do you think Simeon recognised Jesus?
Q5 - Look again at Simeon’s song of praise (29-32) and try to summarise, in your own words, just what is being said. There would be light for the Gentiles – those who had been in darkness. And glory for Israel who had suffered shame and loss through their constant turning away from God.
Q6 - It was time for Simeon to let go – his earthly life was coming to an end (we are not told how much longer he actually lived). He had invested all his life in the Jewish way of living and yet now he is able to welcome its passing. Have you had to “let go” of things in your own life? How difficult is “letting go”?
Q7 - Mary and Joseph “marvelled” at Simeon’s words (33). There must have been so much for them to take in over the previous 40 days – and now these words from Simeon. How much do you think they really understood at this time? Had they come to terms with their son being the Messiah?
Q8 - Then comes a further prophecy (34-35). In what ways did a sword come to pierce Mary’s soul?
Hints:
False accusation (Jn 8.39-41)
Her dismay as her son is constantly rejected by the very city to which he offered the way of peace, by the very people he had come to rescue.
Standing at the cross (Jn 19.25-27)
Q9 - What do you make of Anna (36-38)? She was now an old woman, but in what ways was she still serving God? Anna had not lost hope. She was still a woman of worship and prayer. She to recognised who Jesus was. What does this say about our usefulness to God as we grow older?
Q10 - Try to put yourself in Mary’s shoes as we come to the end of this study. Reflect on all the surprises that had already come her way, from Gabriel’s visit to this time in the Temple. Her world had, literally, been turned upside down. She had come face to face with the God of surprises. In what ways has God surprised you over the years you have been a Christian? And be prepared for more!
PRAYER
Commit the new year into God’s keeping for yourself, for the group, and for our church.
Prayer that you may be found “worshipping and serving the Lord” in 2021 – and look out for new and exciting challenges!
These notes were prepared whilst Brexit talks were still taking place – there may be things to pray about now that the 31 December deadline has passed.