Two Old Folks (part 1 in short series)

Check out Luke 2:22-40

If Matthew’s gospel emphasizes Christ’s royalty, and Mark his power, Luke displays Jesus’ love for people from all walks of life. For example, by highlighting both genders in the prophets Simeon and Anna, Luke sends a quiet message that the gospel is for all people, and all kinds of people.  And that both of these representatives of God were older underscores to the ancient audience the credibility of these prophets, since seniors were held in high respect. 

For Luke, world history is about God’s ultimate plan, and his real time ability to carry it out.  Luke shows his interest in salvation history by linking it with verifiable secular history.  Luke has provided humanity with one of the most carefully documented accounts of the life of Jesus in existence.  He takes care to demonstrate the reliability of his record.  By doing so, he points us to a God who is intimately engaged with human events, and lovingly sovereign in our lives, however insignificant our personal circumstances might appear, or however dark the international picture.  

Joseph and Mary were simple, faithful, practicing Jews.  They observed the law, and they showed respect for the Jewish system of temple worship, even as their son will.  And we know that in offering the sacrifice of a pair of doves, they are a lower income family.  After 40 days Mary will go to the temple and offer sacrifice for her purification.  When their service at the temple is ended, Luke makes a point of saying that they had done everything required by the Law of the Lord.  Joseph and Mary respected organized religion.    

There are three hymns in Luke’s birth narrative: Mary’s song, the Magnificat, in 1:46-55, Zechariah’s song, the Benedictus, in 1:68-79, and Simeon’s little song here in verses of 29-32.  Simeon’s hymn, known historically (and in liturgical churches) by its first words in Latin as the Nunc Dimittis, has the most obviously poetic form of the three.  It’s very possible that this song was used in public or private worship in the early church. 

So what is the message for us that he is writing all of this to his friend, a gentile?  

Next time: Eyes Open