Take a few minutes to catch up and pray that God would bless you through the reading of His word.

Read Luke 2:22-52

[2:22] 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 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.

Observation

• Why did Joseph and Mary bring the baby Jesus to Jerusalem (v. 22-24)?
• What does Luke tell us about Simeon’s background (v. 25-26)? 
• Who does Simeon believe Jesus to be (v. 27-32)?
  • What will be the result of Jesus’ presence in Israel (v. 34-35)?
  • What will the result be for Mary personally (v. 35)?
• What does Luke tell us about Anna’s background (v. 36-37)? What is her reaction to Jesus (v. 38)?
• How did Mary and Joseph lose track of Jesus? 
  • Where was he (v. 46)? 
  • What was he doing (v. 46-47)?
  • How did Jesus respond when they found him (v. 49)?
• What do we know about how the young Jesus related to God (v. 40 and 52)? 

Interpretation

• In v. 38, Luke mentions those who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. How are Simeon and Anna two good examples of that group of people? 
• How is Jesus’ presence in Israel going to reveal people’s hearts (v. 35)? 
  • How will he be the rise and fall of many (v. 34)?
  • How will Jesus’ life be like a sword piercing Mary’s soul (v. 35)?
• Who does Mary mean when she refers to Jesus’ father in v. 48? Who does Jesus mean when he refers to his father in v. 49? 
  • What point is Jesus making? Was he being rude to his parents?
  • Why do you think Mary and Joseph didn’t understand (v. 50)? 

Application

• When Simeon holds the infant Jesus, he says that his eyes have seen God’s salvation (v. 30). It seems significant that God’s salvation is not a plan or a set of rules or a philosophy, but a person. 
  • How does that impact the way that we relate to God?
  • How would your life be different if this weren’t so?
• Simeon had been longing to see the promised salvation of the Lord. When he sees Jesus he basically says, “Now I can die happily”. What is it in your life that you are longing for like that? What would you need to see or experience to allow you to say the same thing? Can that hope bring you real joy and satisfaction?

Share prayer requests and pray for each other.