Parents often wonder what their children will become when they grow up. Though parents do their best to raise their children properly, how their children turn out is often beyond their control. Two children born to the same parents, raised in the same environment and according to the same principles can have very different characters and values when they become adults.
The angel Gabriel told Mary that the son which would be born to her through the power of the Holy Spirit would be called the ‘Son of the Most High’. God would also give Him the throne of King David and His kingdom would never end. An angel also revealed to some shepherds that this baby was the Savior which the Jewish people had long awaited. Mary pondered all these things in her heart, yet she could not know all the implications of what was said about her son.
Mary’s amazement increased even more by what happened when she and Joseph completed the rituals the Law of Moses required of them at the birth of a first-born son. In chapter 2, verses 21 through 40 of his inspired Gospel, Luke tells us what happened. “When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens 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 turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.” Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem. When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.”
From this passage we see that Joseph and Mary were God-fearing and devout. When Mary’s son was born they gave Him the name Jesus just as the angel Gabriel had instructed. In addition they also did exactly what the Law of Moses required of them. On the eighth day after His birth they circumcised Jesus. Then, at the appropriate time they took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem in order to consecrate Him to God. This ritual pointed back to how God rescued the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. God instructed the Israelites, “…Redeem every firstborn among your sons. In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in Egypt, both man and animal. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.’” (Exodus 13:13-15 NIV) In light of this, the name Jesus is highly significant. The angel told Joseph, “…you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21 NIV) Just as God, through Moses, delivered the Israelites from physical bondage, God was going to deliver all mankind from the slavery of sin through Jesus.
Something else we learn from this incident at the Temple is that Joseph and Mary were poor. The sacrifice they gave during the purification ceremony was only permitted to those who could not afford to offer a lamb. This should give us great encouragement. Many people think that because they are poor they cannot serve God in any significant way. However, God gave this couple one of the most important responsibilities in all history. What matters is not how much money we have but how much we love God.
In one sense Simeon’s message must have been a comfort to Joseph and Mary. He confirmed what the angel told them about Jesus – Jesus would bring salvation to His people. Simeon went on to say that Jesus would not only save the Jewish people, He would also bring light to the Gentiles. This was a confirmation of the message the prophet Isaiah spoke hundreds of years before about God’s Servant who was to come, “…It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6 NIV) It is no wonder that Joseph and Mary marveled at Simeon’s words.
However, Simeon’s next words must have disturbed them. Even though Jesus came to save, many would oppose Him. Mary, too, would be pierced with sorrow.
The amazing day was not over. As Simeon finished speaking a devout widow approached and also began telling others about Jesus. Her words must have been a comfort to Mary and Joseph.
The Apostle Matthew records that not long after this Joseph and Mary were forced to flee for a time to Egypt in order to save Jesus’ life. However, Luke merely tells us that when they had done everything required by the Law of Moses, they returned to Nazareth in Galilee. It is there that Jesus grew up. In addition to physical and intellectual growth, Luke mentions that God’s grace was with Him. We often define grace as God’s favor. However, the Scriptures also say that it is grace which gives us the power to say no to evil and to do what is right. The same grace which enabled Jesus to live a holy and upright life is available to all those who love God. Aside from Luke’s statement that Jesus grew, we know very little about His childhood. If you would like to know about the one incident which is recorded, be sure to listen to our next program.