JOHN ANNOUNCES JESUS’COMING INTO THE WORLD
John 1:10-14 He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the Sons of God, to them that believe in His name. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.
Although John does not detail the actual birth of our Lord, he does bless us with incredible rhetoric regarding the spiritual significance of Jesus coming into the world and its impact on God’s creation. John is telling us that God, the “Word”, was now physically, “In the world”. He was in the world that “was made by Him,” but “the world knew Him not.” “He came unto His own,” – primarily the tribe of Judah – “and His own received Him not.” Other than Matthew and Judas Escariot (who betrayed Him) the other ten disciples were of the tribe of Benjamin and were from Galilee. Those who would receive Jesus, “gave He power to become Sons of God. ”John tells us that those who would “believe in His name”, who would believe that He was “the only begotten of the Father”, that would believe that He was God, “the word made flesh” – they would be “born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. “One of the most revealing and profound scriptural statements in the Bible.
THE BABY JESUS IS CIRCUMCISED AND IS PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE
Luke 2:21-24And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcision of the child, His name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present to the Lord. (As it is written in the law of the Lord, every male that openeth the womb shall be called Holy to the Lord.) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which Is said in the law of the Lord. A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.
Our Lord was born without sin. It was Mary and Joseph’s responsibility to ensure that our Lord, complied with the law. His circumcision was no exception. The law states that, “In the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” (Lev:12:3)and the child is named at the same time the male was circumcised, as we noted at the circumcision of John the Baptist. Our Lord was also “Called Jesus,” the day of His circumcision.
Many Biblical Scholars believe our Lord was born on the first day of Tabernacles and circumcised on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, commonly referred to in Scripture as the “Great Eighth Day.”Jesus was born in Bethlehem which is 6 miles from Jerusalem and to be lawful Joseph and Mary had to attend the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, It would be very much in keeping with the Perfect Plan of our Heavenly Father, to have His Only Begotten Son, circumcised on the “Great Eighth Day”, at the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. .
The law Luke is referring to, regarding Mary’s “purification,” is found In Leviticus, Chapter 12, verses 2 through 8, which states, “If a woman has born a man child, she shall be unclean seven days, and shall continue in the blood of her purifying, three and thirty days, (a total of forty days) and when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, she shall bring a Iamb of the first year for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtle dove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the Tabernacle (Temple). If she be not able to bring a Iamb, then she shall bring two turtle doves or two pigeons, and the priest shall make an atonement for her and she shall be clean.”
By law, Mary’s days of purification have been completed and Jesus must be presented to the Lord, in the Temple, together with the requisite sacrifice. The reason the law states, “If she be not able to bring a Iamb, then she shall bring two turtle doves,” is to allow those who could not afford a lamb, to offer two turtle doves in place of the Iamb, which would have been a fraction of the cost, and still comply with the law, and be declared clean and have her male child found acceptable when presented to God, as per the law of the firstborn.
Luke is telling us that Mary and Joseph were poor. They were complying with the law, but were clearly showing that their financial state was such, that they could only afford the minimal sacrifice. Luke, by telling us their “sacrifice” was “a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons”, also provides us with the understanding that the “Wise Men”, who were bringing presents of Frankincense, Myrrh and Gold, had not yet arrived, for if they had, Mary and Joseph would never have offered the minimum sacrifice, for the Son of God.
SIMEON’S REVELATION AND PROPHESY OVER JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
Luke 2:25-35 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the spirit into the Temple, and when the parents brought In the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law, Then he took Him up into his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word, For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation. Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all the people. A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against. (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
The Holy Ghost had told Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah. Simeon is then led to the Temple, by the Holy Ghost, to bear witness that Jesus has been presented in the Temple, “after the custom of the law.” It is not generally understood by readers of God’s Holy Word, how critically important it is in God’s eyes, that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established.” Simeon Is clearly one of the witnesses. God has preserved him and the Holy Spirit has brought Simeon to the Temple to witness that Jesus has been circumcised, Mary has completed her purification, the sacrifice has been made and Jesus is presented to God.
Simeon now prophesy’s that not only will Jesus be the “Glory of the people, Israel,” but He will also be “a light to lighten the Gentiles”. This statement is directly in keeping with the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah, but was not disclosed by our Lord to His disciples until the very latter part of His Ministry. Simeon’s prophecy over our Lord was profoundly accurate. The Greek word translated, “set”, is “kelmai” which means “destined”. Jesus is destined, t‘for the fall and rising again of many in Israel.”Simeon is prophesying specifically to not only our Lord’s death and resurrection, but to the death and resurrection of many true believers In Israel.
Simeon, also tells Mary that “a sword shall pierce,” Jesus, but it will also pierce (the Greek word translated as “sword shall pierce” is “rhomphiai” which actually means “extreme anguish”),”through” her “own soul also”. The impact on Mary of that prophecy must have been heart rending. Mary would of course visually see that prophecy fulfilled when the Roman soldier “pierced” our Lord, following His death on the cross.
ANNA PROPHECY’S OVER BABY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
Luke 2:36-39And there was now Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe ofAsher. She was of great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity. And she a widow of about four score and four years, which departed not from the Temple, but served with fasting and prayers, night and day. And she coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
The Holy Spirit now brings a second witness to view and vouches of our Lord t s compliance to the Mosaic laws. Anna was a prophetess, who was, “of the tribe of Asher,” and was well over 100 years old. That statement is very significant, and its importance very rarely understood. Anna was of the tribe of Asher and as such was an Israelite. Simeon on the other hand was a Judahite. Therefore, Jesus’ presentation In the Temple was witnessed by members of both the House of Israel and the House of Judah. Having “performed all things according to the law,” and having them witnessed by Simeon and Anna, Mary, Joseph and Jesus return from Bethlehem to their home in Nazareth.
THE WISE MEN SEEK OUR LORD Matt 2:1-8 Now when Jesus was born In Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying, ”Where Is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him. When Herod the king heard, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of then where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, “In Bethlehem of Judea.” For thus it is written by the prophet. And thou Bethlehem, In the land of Judah, art not least among the princes of Judah, for out of thee shall come a governor that shall rule my people Israel.” Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently, what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child, and when you have found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also.
Matthew is the only Gospel writer to provide us with Scripture regarding the, “wise men from the east.” However, Matthew does not provide us with the number of “Wise Men,” involved nor does he tell us they went to or found “the young child,” in Bethlehem.
Matthew does tell us that the wise men have “seen His star in the east”. Matthew does not tell us they followed the “star in the east,” to Jerusalem. Who were these, “Wise Men from the east?” The Greek word translated wise men is “Magi,” which refers specifically to astrologers, primarily from Babylon. Without doubt, these “Magi” were descendants of the Israelites who were taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, over 500 years earlier, and had maintained the Jewish religion and traditions of the prophet Daniel. These Magi knew and studied the Old Testament Scriptures and looked for “His star,” the star that heralded the birth of Jesus. That’s why they came to Jerusalem, believing that the “Jews” would know where the “Christ” was – He that was born, “King of the Jews.”
There Is no mention in Scripture as to the number of “Magi’ that came to Jerusalem, but since they were coming to “worship” their new born king, and were bringing extremely expensive gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, we can rest assured that there were substantially more than three “wise men,” in their entourage. These Magi were travelling from Babylon, one of the major cities in the Parthian Empire, to Jerusalem, a distance of over 1700 miles.
From an historical perspective, the Roman and Parthian Empires were at peace with each other at the time of the birth of our Lord. However, for emissaries from either empire to travel in small groups in the other’s territory was unheard of. The Magi had to be accompanied by a very large contingent of supporting personnel including a significant number of armed men. Otherwise, why would Herod, “and all Jerusalem with him, be troubled,” How could a few wise men from the east be granted an audience with Herod himself, if their only credentials were the fact that they were looking for, “He who was born King of the Jews”?
Matthew, in verses 4 and 5 tells us that Herod did not know where the “Christ” was to be born, and had to call upon, “the chief priests and scribes.”From them Herod learned that our Lord was to be born In Bethlehem. Once Herod had that piece of information, he then called the wise men to him, “privily”– in other words, Herod had a private audience with the “Magi”, because he wanted to glean one very important piece of information from them –”what time did the star appear.”Herod knew the appearance of the star heralded the birth of Jesus. Therefore, with this piece of information, Herod would have been able to establish the current age of Jesus.
Herod then told the Magi to go to Bethlehem, “he sent them to Bethlehem” and asked the Magi, “when they found Him”, to bring him, Herod, word in order that he could, “worship Him also.” With that, the Magi departed from Herod.