A Sign Spoken Against (Luke 2:21-40)
Duncan Brisk, 25th December 2016Part of the Study of the Gospels series, preached at a Fordham Sunday Service service
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2:22 When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
2:23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord" ),
2:24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."
2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
2:27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
2:28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
2:29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
2:30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
2:31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
2:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
2:33 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
2:35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
2:36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
2:37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
2:38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
2:39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
2:40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
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