Jesus, Presented – 1-31-25

You can listen to this reflection here. Sunday’s gospel reading is here

Sunday is the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord. When feast days fall on Sundays they supersede the regular lectionary. So the gospel story on which we’ve spent our time this week may not be the one you hear in church. Today, let’s look at the one for this feast day.

Jesus’ parents bring him to the temple in accordance with the Mosaic law governing the offering of firstborn males to the Lord: When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 

But much more happened that day than the prescribed rituals of purification and sacrifice. They encountered two elderly people who confirmed for them the message the angel Gabriel had given before Jesus’ birth. One of these was Simeon, a good and holy man who believed God had promised him he would not die before seeing “the salvation of Israel.”* We’re told that the Spirit guided him to the temple that day, a reminder that God will get us where God wants us to be as we’re open to being led. Simeon was – and as soon as he saw the infant, he somehow knew he was seeing the long-awaited Messiah, the Savior. Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

But that’s not all Simeon said – he also told Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” This was perhaps a helpful “heads up” for Jesus’ mother, but must also have increased her worry for her firstborn. It resonates for us when we hear Jesus say,  “I have come to bring not peace but a sword,” indicating that the world would not accept him without conflict.

The holy family also encountered  an elderly woman, Anna. We’re told she was a prophet –women were recognized as prophets – and that she had been widowed young and had lived in the temple courts since then. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

It must have been a blessing to Mary and Joseph to receive such confirmation of their own incredible revelations. And it must also have made them wary. Yet all we are told of their response is that they took their baby home to Nazareth and cared for him; no mention in Luke of the flight into Egypt and exile there that Matthew records. Rather, we are told only that, The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Jesus’ earthly parents did everything they could for him. The rest was up to God. The same is true for us.

* We are talking here about ancient Israel, not the modern nation state. They are not synonymous. 

© Kate Heichler, 2025. To receive Water Daily by email each morning, subscribe here. Here are the bible readings for the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus. Water Daily is also a podcast – subscribe to it here on Apple, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform.

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