The Question of the Day helps prepare you for next Sunday’s focus text in worship. These questions are posted here each day offering an opportunity for discussion. (Just click in the title of this post and you will be taken to the discussion window.) Try it out for a week and see how Jesus will use your time of pondering upon God’s word to deepen your faith.
Today’s question is: Why would Mary and Joseph think it was important to offer a sacrifice for Jesus according to the Law of the Lord?
This week’s text for the First Sunday of Christmas: Luke 2:22-40 (NRSV)
22When the time came for their purification
according to the law of Moses, [Joseph and Mary] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn
male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in
the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was
Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation
of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would
not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when
the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under
the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your
word;
30for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to
your people Israel.”
33And the child’s father and mother were amazed at
what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother
Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a
sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of
Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her
husband seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the
temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak
about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39When they had finished everything required by the
law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the
favor of God was upon him.
