Jesus’ Baby Dedication Reveals the New World Order

Last updated on: February 2, 2020 at 10:39 am by Paul Louis Metzger

Jesus’ Baby Dedication Reveals the New World Order 2020-02-02T10:39:15-08:00 Paul Louis Metzger

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. A cloisonné enamel work from Georgia; 12th Century; {{PD-US-expired}}

Usually, a baby dedication is sweet, uneventful, and yet memorable for the family and close friends. The worst thing that can happen at a baby dedication or baptism is that the infant may start to cry. Based on what occurs at Jesus’ dedication in the Temple recorded in Luke 2, memorable is correct, but certainly not uneventful or sweet. This event recorded in Luke 2 stands at a crossroad in the church calendar, as it marks the first recorded instance of Jesus and his mission being revealed/manifested to the public. Celebrated on February 2nd, the “Presentation of the Lord” or dedication closes out the longer version of Christmastide as well as the birth narrative (forty days after Jesus’ birth), is a key date during Epiphany-tide, is part of Ordinary Time, and foreshadows Lent as well as Good Friday and Easter. Jesus’ baby dedication in the Temple in Jerusalem reveals the new world order that Jesus’ life inaugurates. So much for the possibility of Jesus’ baby dedication being uneventful.

Jesus’ parents’ determination to have Jesus’ dedication or purification in the Temple marks them as an observant Jewish couple. They are pious and devout, as are Simeon and Anna who approach and give glory to God for the baby Jesus. We will focus on the encounter with Simeon. One of the most striking features of the narrative is the emphasis on the Holy Spirit. Three times, the text mentions Simeon’s vital connection to the Spirit: “…the Holy Spirit was upon him” (Luke 2:25; ESV); “…it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:26; ESV); “and he came in the Spirit into the temple” (Luke 2:27; ESV).

Given that the location is the Temple in Jerusalem, which was viewed as the place where God dwelt, and given the emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s guiding presence in the story, we should be expecting something eventful to transpire. Indeed, it does. Simeon’s words lead Jesus’ parents to marvel. Taking the baby in his arms, Simeon speaks:

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,

according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation

that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and for glory to your people Israel.”

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 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 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:29-35; ESV).

Again, as the text makes note, Jesus’ parents marvel at Simeon’s declaration about Jesus. The scene was certainly eventful, indeed momentous, and memorable, but by no means sweet. Why not sweet? As Simeon says to Mary, many in Israel will fall and rise on account of Jesus’ divinely appointed call. And given that many will fall and rise because of him, many will oppose Jesus (Luke 2:34). Simeon adds in his words directed to Mary: “a sword will pierce through your own soul also,” even while the “thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:35; ESV).

While the meaning surrounding the sword piercing is not entirely clear, it is likely the case that Mary will encounter untold grief in witnessing her son’s appointed call. As much as he loves his mother and family and nation, Jesus will make very clear that he is about his heavenly Father’s mission. As Luke’s Gospel recounts in what immediately follows, Jesus later tells his parents in the very temple in Jerusalem when he is twelve: “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49; ESV). Just as his parents marveled at Simeon’s words, no doubt grasping for their meaning, here we find Joseph and Mary at a loss for comprehension. Even so, Mary held tight to Jesus’ words and took them to heart: “And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 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” (Luke 2:50-51; ESV).

Later we find Jesus distancing his mission from filial piety and familial ties in even more striking terms:

Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it” (Luke 8:19-21; ESV).

As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:27-28; ESV)

Imagine how such words would hit his hearers given the honor due to parents in traditional Jewish society! Consider, too, how they would strike Mary’s heart! It is important to point out that Jesus means no offense or harm to Mary, but to make clear to his mother and brothers and everyone else that his ultimate loyalty is to his Heavenly Father’s call and divine vocation and the family of faith that holds firmly to Jesus’ word. Ponder, too, Jesus’ distancing himself from Mary at the wedding in Cana in telling her “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4; ESV; even so, Mary is not deterred and instructs the attendants at the wedding to do what Jesus tells them based on her request to him to help in view of the wine running out). There’s no question that Jesus loved and honored Mary. Even on the cross, in his hour of untold agony, he accounts for her own travail and vulnerability and ensures that she will be cared for after his death and departure:

but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home (John 19:25-27; ESV).

To return to Luke’s Gospel, we find that it is not simply Jesus’ family that Jesus distances himself from in fulfilling his divine appointment. Jesus also challenges established orders of national allegiance, power and hierarchy, and religious purity codes of conduct. Regarding national allegiance, while Jesus provides salvation for his own people, he is salvation for “all peoples” (2:31; ESV). “He is a light for revelation to the Gentiles,” not only “…for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:32; ESV).

Moreover, as already noted, within Israel itself, not all will respond well to him. Many of his own people will fall, though many will rise, on account of him (Luke 2:34). Mary’s own song at the news that she will bear the Messiah makes a similar claim:

He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty (Luke 1:51-53; ESV).

Luke’s Gospel makes very clear how Jesus breaks through social barriers involving Jews and Gentiles, rich/powerful and poor, and clean and unclean to bring the fullness of salvation to all people.[1] Jesus’ rejection in Nazareth (which involves Jesus’ claim that he will work wonders among the Gentiles, as in the days of Elijah and Elisha, and not among his own people due to their hardness of heart; Luke 4:16-30), his cleansing of the leper with his own hand (Luke 5:12-14), eating with tax collectors and sinners (Luke 5:27-32), and blessing of the poor with the kingdom and cursing of the rich (Luke 6:20, 24) certainly did not win him friends in established circles. Here we find that Jesus is salvation for all people, as God does away with the old rule and establishes the new world order in Jesus through the Spirit.

As we remember Jesus’ dedication or purification in the Temple this day, may we seriously ponder the state of our heart and presumed allegiance to him. Does filial piety, national pride and established hierarchies and structures overshadow him and the family of faith that holds firmly to his word? May we ask God to purify our hearts and may we dedicate ourselves anew to treasuring Jesus’ word and finding the fullness of salvation in him.

_______________

[1]For a keen discussion of this theme, see Joel B. Green, The Gospel of Luke, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), pages 394-395. Green’s treatment includes mention of Mary’s Magnificat and Simeon’s pronouncement.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

January 31, 2020

Jesus at Epiphany-Tide: Life of the Party or Party Crasher?

Next Post

February 5, 2020 The Art of the Deal? On the Middle East Peace Plan

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month June 2025 April 2025 March 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz