By Mike Lambrecht
On February 2nd we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. As was the custom in
Jewish Law, it was necessary for the first-born son to be offered to God by sacrificing a pair of
turtledoves. Because there was a waiting period of forty days during which a mother was considered unclean after giving birth, this was traditionally done after the period of purification had passed. This custom was put in place as a thanksgiving to God for leading the Jewish people out of slavery in the land of Egypt. As we know, during Passover, in the 10th plague on the Egyptians, God spared the first-born sons of the Jews.
Because Mary and Joseph were devout Jews, they honored this custom and went to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after the birth of Jesus to offer the sacrifice. While at the temple, they encountered a holy man of God named Simeon, who had had it revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would see the savior before he died. Upon seeing Jesus, he recognized him as the messiah and spoke these words:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the gentiles and glory for your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)
In examining his words, we can learn much. First of all, it is clear from the words of Simeon that Jesus’ coming was foretold by the word of God. Anyone who has taken even a cursory look at the Old Testament knows this to be true.
Even more telling, however, is the fact that Simeon pronounces Christ as not only the glory of the people of Israel, but for all gentiles (non-Jews) as well. This message would have been unheard of in Jewish times. The gentiles were not well-liked by the Jews (and for good reason). The Gentiles of the day worshipped false gods. Only the chosen people of Israel were worshipping the one, true Lord.
We should be eternally grateful that not all of the Jews initially believed in Christ. And so, by God’s plan, the gospel message of salvation was carried elsewhere to all peoples. Saint Paul talks about this in his letter to the Romans, “Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. (Romans 11:13-14) In other words, by preaching to the gentiles the message of
salvation, St. Paul was hoping to save even more Jews who had not initially believed in Jesus as the messiah.
This worldwide message of salvation was made even more explicit in a verse that we often see held up on signs at sporting events: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." (John 3:16)
If we truly take the time to meditate upon this verse we can catch a glimpse of the infinite love of God, who took on human flesh to redeem us to himself. We can gain a better understanding of just why Jesus would choose to suffer a most embarrassing and horrific death on a cross. And, we can begin to understand how imperative it is that we continue spreading the gospel message, especially in this day and age.
