The presentation of Jesus in the temple

                                                             Luke 2:22 - 40

Rev. Neli Miranda

           During the past Sundays we have witnessed Jesus’ epiphanies. Today, as we celebrate the fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, we pause in the narrative to witness a special celebration, the presentation of Jesus in the temple. 

Today’s gospel offers us a touching image of Jesus and his parents in the temple, forty days after his birth. Mary and Joseph, a devout family, bring Jesus to the temple to observe the purification customary for a mother and her child following childbirth.

According to the law, a woman had to observe forty days of purification before presenting herself and her child in the temple or a local synagogue. Luke tells us, “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” (2,22). In the Jewish tradition, very early on, it was customary to consecrate all first-born sons to God’s service, a duty later assumed by the Levites. Subsequently, the law prescribed that all first-born sons must be redeemed from their service by paying five shekels upon their presentation.

With this presentation, the family was also required to offer an animal sacrifice according to their economic status. Luke notes that Jesus’ family made a humble offering of two turtledoves or pigeons, indicating their modest background. Notably, Luke does not mention Jesus’ redeeming ceremony or whether five shekels were paid. Instead, he introduces two significant figures: Simeon and Anna, who redefine the course of Jesus’ presentation ceremony.

Simeon is presented as a righteous Jew who had been awaiting God’s consolation for Israel. He had been assured through the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before his death. On the day of Jesus’ presentation, guided by the Spirit, Simeon comes to the temple and encounters Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. Holding the child, he praises God, rejoicing in the fulfillment of divine promises. His eyes now see the One Sent by God, Jesus, a light for revelation to the gentiles—all nations—and for glory to the people of Israel. The future rests not on a military leader or a powerful king but o a baby, who is the light for all nations and glory of Israel. An elderly man cradling a newborn, proclaiming peace and unity under God—what a powerful image!

Following Simeon, we meet Anna, a prophet, messenger of God, an elderly widow devoted to worship, fasting, and praying in the temple. Being there, she likely welcomed Mary and Joseph, witnessed Jesus’ presentation, and Simeon’s proclamation. Upon this glorious moment, Anna began to praise God and to speak about the child to all those awaiting the redemption, the liberation of Jerusalem. She is one of the first of Jesus’ disciples to proclaim the good news.

The presentation of Jesus in the temple is embraced by Simeon and Anna, who embody the guardians of faith, maintaining hope in the community through their steadfast belief in God’s promises. They recognize Jesus as the Messiah, and their roles transform the presentation into a profound revelation of God’s visitation.

This  epiphanic scene is not highlighted by powerful figures but by a humble family, a fragile newborn, and two elderly persons. They offer us today a message of consolation and redemption. In particular, Anna and Simeon remind us, the elders in the community, to embrace our role as guardians of faith, guiding younger generations with our hope, faith and wisdom.

The presentation of Jesus does not conclude with Jesus being redeemed for five shekels but with the proclamation of him as the Messiah, the Light of the world. He is the Beloved Son, the first-born of God, and we are his sisters and brothers. Through him, we are all presented and consecrated to serve God today. Let us embody our consecration by bringing a message of consolation and liberation to the world! Amen.