GOLDEN STARS MONTESSORI ACADEMYSubject: Christian Religious Studies (CRS)
Class: J.S.S. 3
Theme: The Early Life of Jesus
Reference: Luke 2:22–40; Leviticus 12:1–8; Exodus 13:2, 12
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is a significant event in the early life of Jesus Christ. It occurred forty days after His birth in Bethlehem. This event was not just a family tradition; it was a fulfillment of the Law of Moses given to the Israelites. It highlights the obedience of Mary and Joseph to divine instructions and reveals the identity of Jesus as the Savior of the world through the testimonies of two elderly, devout servants of God: Simeon and Anna.
In the Jewish tradition, there were two main legal requirements that prompted Mary and Joseph to go to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Firstly, according to Leviticus 12, a woman was considered "ceremonially unclean" for forty days after giving birth to a male child. At the end of these days, she was required to go to the Temple to offer a sacrifice for her purification. Secondly, according to Exodus 13, every firstborn male belonged to God because God spared the firstborn of the Israelites during the Passover in Egypt. Parents had to "redeem" (buy back) their firstborn sons by presenting them to God and offering a sacrifice.
Joseph and Mary, being God-fearing and law-abiding Jews, traveled from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to fulfill these requirements. Although Jesus was the Son of God and Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit, they still humbled themselves to follow the earthly laws. This teaches us the importance of humility and respect for religious and civil laws.
The Law of Moses specified that a lamb should be offered for purification. However, the law also made a provision for the poor: if a family could not afford a lamb, they could bring "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
By offering the birds instead of a lamb, Mary and Joseph demonstrated that they were not a wealthy family. Jesus was born into a humble home, showing that God's grace is available to everyone, regardless of their social or economic status. This detail encourages us that God values our sincere devotion more than the monetary value of our offerings.
While in the Temple, the Holy Spirit led an elderly man named Simeon to the couple. Simeon was described as "righteous and devout," and the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah (the Lord’s Christ).
When Simeon saw the baby Jesus, he took Him in his arms and praised God with a song known today as the Nunc Dimittis (Latin for "Now let depart"). He declared that Jesus was the "Light to lighten the Gentiles" and the "Glory of thy people Israel."
Simeon’s prophecy also had a somber note for Mary. He told her that Jesus was "set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel" and that "a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also." This was a prophecy about the future suffering of Jesus on the Cross and the pain Mary would feel as His mother.
Another witness to this divine event was Anna, a prophetess and the daughter of Phanuel. She was a very old widow (eighty-four years old) who never left the Temple, serving God with fasting and prayers night and day.
Just as Simeon finished speaking, Anna came forward. She immediately recognized the baby as the promised Redeemer. She gave thanks to God and began to speak about Jesus to everyone in Jerusalem who was looking for the redemption of Israel. Anna represents the reward of persistence and faithfulness in prayer.
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is a bridge between the Old Testament Law and the New Testament Grace.
In conclusion, this lesson teaches us that God honors those who are obedient, those who wait patiently for Him, and those who serve Him with a pure heart like Simeon and Anna. For students, it serves as a reminder to be humble and to recognize that God has a specific purpose for every life from the very beginning.