Lesson 105: Jesus at the Temple

The lesson for this week comes out of Luke 2:21-52 they are two stories of
Jesus’ visiting the Temple, first as a baby and then as a 12-year-old. In
Simeon’s prophecy, we see the forewarning that Jesus’ coming would bring
division among the people. And in the account of the 12-year-old Jesus
staying at the Temple even after His parents had left for home hints at
the real reason WHY His coming would be contentious: He came to be ALL
about His Father’s glory, but so many in Israel were looking for a messiah
who was all about them.

Of course that heart problem is not unique to the children of Israel; it
is the nature of the unregenerate heart due to sin. But as the scripture
verse for this week proclaims, Jesus, in perfect submission to the
Father’s will, became salvation for anyone who would put their faith in
Him.

Memory verse: My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all people. Luke 2:30-31

Narrative:

While Jesus was still a baby, Joseph and Mary took him to temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.”  So they went and offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.  That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.

My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all people.

He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.  Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.  As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

A prophetess named Anna was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old.  She had been married only seven years when her husband died.  After that, she stayed at the Temple day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

When Jesus was twelve years old, Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival as they did every year.  After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.  All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”

“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he meant.

Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.  Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.