Dear Luke,
I certainly understand the healthy
skepticism with which you view this account of the shepherds. It is not how you or I would have planned it,
and shepherds are hardly the most reliable source around, but I assure you that
I, too, have had this event certified by many others. At this point, it would take credible
evidence for me to not believe the story.
I should warn you, Luke, that God is only warming up. The individuals that God chooses to highlight
and use in this tale are not the types that we might choose for a story about
the Messiah. There are surprises around
every corner, and some of the main characters in the story are unable to even
consider the matter’s truth due to the unexpected individuals who play a
starring role. You must try and set
aside your expectations when you enter into this story, or else you will spend
your entire investigation on the defensive.
Try and consider this with an open mind and a willing heart; your
patience will reward you in this endeavor.
Let us move forward from the
miraculous birth of the child. Many
other tales regarding the birth swirl about, some which are true and others
which may have more legend than fact, but I feel that it is best for us to move
forward, to another incredible event, one that took place at the time for the
boy’s presentation in temple. Jesus was
being raised as a Jewish boy according to the rituals and customs of the faith,
so he would not be unfamiliar with the rites and rituals. He was circumcised on the eighth day and
named Jesus, the same name given to Mary by the angel Gabriel. No one should be able to debate whether he
was rooted in the Jewish tradition.
At the time for the purification,
Joseph and Mary brought the boy to the temple in Jerusalem to present him to the
Lord. You and I know, and surely Mary
did as well, how odd this must seem—presenting God’s child to God, but the law
states that this is the proper treatment for the firstborn, and so they
followed the tradition. Being poor,
their offering was only two pigeons to sacrifice. Again, you and I think it odd that Jesus was
born into poverty. We would choose a
family wealthy enough to at least afford a lamb to sacrifice. Just set those questions aside, Luke—it will
all be made clear later, I assure you.
The odd part of the story appears
at this moment. Who knows how many
thousands of dedications occur in the temple each year, but this one was
different. There was a righteous, devout
man named Simeon, a man who eagerly awaited the fulfillment of all the promises
that have been made to Israel through the prophets of old. Somehow along the way, God had revealed to
Simeon that Simeon would not die until his eyes had rested upon the Messiah. I do not know how this promise was made
(perhaps it was our angel friend!), but it was common knowledge that Simeon
believed the promise to be true. I
wonder if those who surrounded him believed it or not.
Regardless, Simeon was led by God
to arrive in the temple that day, and when Mary and Joseph brought the child to
fulfill the law, Simeon wrapped him up in his aged arms and began to praise
God, much to the surprise and amazement of all, not least his parents! Simeon’s words have been recorded:
God,
your servant can now go in peace, by your word; I have seen your salvation,
which you have made ready before all, glory for your chosen people, Israel, and
a light even to the Gentiles.
Simeon blessed those who stared at
him with open mouths, and then he turned to Mary and continued, just for
her: Countless
in Israel will be lifted up and shattered because of this child. He will find many adversaries, and the secret
thoughts of many will be exposed to the world.
Your own soul will be pierced as well.
Curious words, I know, but a story
such as this one has far reaching repercussions, and no one can hear it and not
react to it. Fortunately, we are not
finished with oddities that occurred in the temple that morning.
A prophet named Anna appears as
well. Phanuel (from the tribe of Asher)
was her father, and she was very old.
She had been married for seven years, but was a widow until now, when
she was 84. It’s hard to believe, but
she was in the temple constantly worshipping and fasting and praying. She, too, came forward and began to praise
God, talking about Jesus to all who were present, each one wondering about the
fulfillment of the prophecies regarding the salvation of Israel.
I can only imagine how charged the
atmosphere in the temple must have been.
Stories must have emanated from that place for months about what
happened there. No one would have
expected these poor parents, with only two pigeons to offer, to create such a
stir. And one could say they didn’t—that
they were merely the vessels through which God was creating waves in the world. It began even before the child was born, and
obviously continues to this day, as we discuss these very things.
After all that was required had
been completed, Mary and Joseph returned to Galilee, to Nazareth, their
home. The child grew strong and wise,
and clearly God’s favor rested on him.
I hope this is not all too
wonderful for you to take in, Luke. I
hope that it confirms the suspicions you have about the child, that he is not
just an ordinary child who becomes an ordinary man. May your curiosity lead you deeper into the
tale, and may your questioning heart be still and listen for answers.
Sincerely,
Theophilus
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