I sometimes feel limited by my age.  I was working with the youth group at my church until just over a year ago and I felt too old.  In a world that is run by 18-year-olds, I sometimes feel obsolete.  When technology and science are the saviors of the world, teens are our prophets.  However, as Jacques Ellul says, “In the modern world, the most dangerous form of determinism is the technological phenomenon.”  We are being controlled by mindless technologies, says Ellul.  If he is right, performance is drowning out reflection.  There was a time when wise people said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”  When I stop and think, I stop idolizing youth and I value the wisdom of years.  Those who are old and have reflected on their lives are the most worthy of attention.  In today’s reading two old people reveal who Jesus is as he presented at the temple.  These two old people knew what was really of value.  Do you think that people decrease in value as they age?

Luke 2: 21- 40

²¹On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.

 ²²When 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 ²³(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”^[b]), ²⁴and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”^[c]

 ²⁵Now 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. ²⁶It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷Moved 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, ²⁸Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
 ²⁹“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
      you now dismiss^[d] your servant in peace.
 ³⁰For my eyes have seen your salvation,
    ³¹which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
 ³²a light for revelation to the Gentiles
      and for glory to your people Israel.”

 ³³The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴Then 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, ³⁵so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

 ³⁶There 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, ³⁷and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.^[e] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. ³⁸Coming 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.

 ³⁹When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

Questions

1. Why did Joseph and Mary take Jesus to the temple?
2. Which two people were in the temple?
3. What did Simeon say he had seen?
4. Who do you listen to who is older than yourself?
5. How can God use you to speak into the lives of those who are younger?

Going Deeper

Observation

1. Who was purified according to the Law of Moses?
2. What did the couple offer as a sacrifice?
3. What is the word that Simeon speaks to Jesus’ mother?
4. What kind of people did Anna speak to?
5. What did the child become?

Interpretation

1. Why would Joseph have needed to be purified (Hint:  Think of Joseph’s role at Jesus’ birth)?
2. What does the sacrifice of Joseph and Mary tell you about their finances?
3. How is Jesus’ life story bitter and sweet for Mary?
4. What two ways can Anna’s age be calculated?
5. How is Jesus’ human nature emphasized?

Application

1. What comfort does Jesus bring to those who accept him?
2. How does the Holy Spirit reveal truth about Jesus today?
3. Do you look up to an older person who lives their life for God?
4. How might Anna be an example to those who are single or widows?
5. How are your lifestyle choices marked by The Law of the Lord and also by grace?