What child is this
Luke wants us to understand who Jesus is. Luke is not simply telling a story. He is revealing an identity. Who is This man Jesus.
1/. He is the fulfiller of the law.
He is taken into the temple and presented. He was circumcised. These first few verses we read remind us the law is fulfilled. Jesus was not above the law. He was born under the law's requirements. He didn't add traditions to the law. He wasn't for man made traditions but He did fulfil the law. Without obedience there is no sacrifice. If Jesus had broken even one law in His life, then His life would not have been perfect. He therefore couldn't have went to the cross as that perfect sacrifice to take the punishment for our sins.
2/. He is the saviour of the world.
At the circumcision. Jesus would have been named. They called Him Jesus as the angel had told them to. In the Bible God is given many names and titles but when He became a man there was just one name given. Jesus. It was quite a common name back then but this name was picked because of it's meaning. It means The Lord saves. This is why God took on flesh. He didn't come just to teach. He didn't just come to love. He didn't just come to perform miracles. No. He came to save. He was a saviour for Jews as well as Gentiles. It is worth remembering Luke was a gentile. The only gentile writer in the New Testament.
He is glory to Israel and a light to the gentile. The Gentiles up to now had lived in the darkness. The Jew had the truth all there life but now Jesus was to be the fulfilment of that truth. He is still that light today to us the Gentiles.
3/. The revealer of the heart.
God can see the condition of our hearts. He knows are attitudes to Him. He knows where we stand. We can fool all our friends but we can never fool God.
Not every Jew will exalt Jesus and He will not exalt every Jew. Many will oppose Him and reject Him. Some will believe. Some will repent. Some will say My Lord, My God. Be merciful to me a sinner.
What does God see in our hearts to day. A humble heart or a proud heart. An obedient heart or a disobedient one?
4/. A consoler of the remnant.
Jews often referred to the coming of the Messiah as the one who would rescue Israel. He would turn their sorrow into joy. That is exactly what He would do for those who would trust Him.
Simeon was longing for that day when the Messiah would come. Imagine if we were told we wouldn't die before Jesus would return the second time. Simeon was told he wouldn't die before Jesus would come. That promise was fulfilled.
Simeon was able to say in verse 29
“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation.
Can you say Lord I am ready to die. I have seen your salvation. If not come to Him today. Come and ask Him to forgive your sin. Come and repent of that sin. Put your faith and trust in Him today.
Created 4 months ago
