Luke 2:25-52

2:25 | Simeon, mentioned only here in Scripture, was a righteous man who had focused everything on his anticipation of Christ, the Consolation of Israel, coming to free His people Israel and to be her Messiah.

2:27-28 | Simeon, who was controlled, counseled, and conditioned by the Spirit of God, received the revelation concerning Christ in the same way that Jesus reveals Himself today: He was in the Scriptures, he knew the prophecies of the OT, and he was a man of prayer. That Simeon blessed God shows that he knew immediately, absolutely, and with authority that this was the Messiah.

2:29-32 | When Simeon saw salvation, he was a Person, not a word, doctrine, or creed.

2:32 | Apart from the Spirit of God, an orthodox first-century Jew would have never looked at the Messiah and turned His blessing to the Gentiles, for the Jews believed the Messiah would come for Israel alone. Yet the Spirit so enlightened Simeon that when he saw Jesus, he recognized a wider purpose than the glory of Israel alone. Jesus would be a light to the Gentiles and a hope to all people.

2:33-34 | Simeon uttered three distinct prophecies. Jesus would be: (1) either a stumbling stone or a stepping stone to God (the fall and rising of many in Israel); (2) a sign pointing to His identity as the Messiah; and (3) a sword who would one day pierce his mother’s heart as she watched Him die for the sins of the world.

2:36-38 | This amazing, elderly prayer warrior, Anna, also testified to Jesus’ true identity.

2:39-40 | In this one story from Jesus’ childhood is the first glimpse of His future destiny and His greatness.

2:41-42 | Jewish law required every adult male living within 25 miles of Jerusalem to attend the Feast of Passover and then the succeeding celebration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Every male Jew, no matter where he lived, desired to partake in these high and holy days of Judaism at least once during his lifetime.

2:43-45 | Leaving Jesus behind was not an act of negligence by Jesus’ parents. Most entourages to the Passover Feaste went by caravan, with the women and children traveling ahead because they had to go slower, and the men following behind. If the journey lasted more than a day, the travelers would agree on a stopping place and then set up camp for the night. At that gathering point at the end of the first day is probably when Mary and Joseph realized that Jesus was not with either one of them.

2:46 | During Passover, the Jewish religious leaders (teachers) would come out to the terrace of the temple, sit in a circle on the floor and discuss matters of the law, Jewish theology, and worship. Guests could become a part of that discussion – if they could hold their own.

2:47 | By the time Jewish boys were five, they would have begun to read the Scriptures aloud, including Leviticus, the book of ceremonial laws that explained how devout Jews should perform their various religious observances. By age 12, they knew the Psalms and were instructed in the basics of Hebrew law and history. Jesus’ understanding (the ability to integrate and articulate a diversity of information), however, was extraordinary.

2:48-49 | Although Joseph apparently held his tongue, Mary reacted emotionally, calling attention to the distress Jesus had caused them. His parents did not fully understand Jesus’ meaning, but these first recorded words of His, establish that He knew His divine identity (the Son of God) and purpose (to be concerned with His heavenly Father’s business).

2:51 | Like any child, Jesus was subject to His earthly parents. Being the Son of God did not relieve Him of His responsibilities as a member of Joseph and Mary’s family (Eph. 5:21; 6:1).

2:52 | The singular summary of Jesus’ teenage years says that He increased (lit. “advanced”) in every area: mental (wisdom), physical (stature), spiritual (favor with God), and social (men). When Jesus turned 12, He was no longer just growing; He was advancing. Growing is passive. Advancing is intensely active.