From ancient times, child dedication has been a culture, especially for believers. Parents present their children in the temple (church) to dedicate them to the Lord. As an act of obedience to God and Jewish culture, Mary and Joseph took their baby to the temple in Jerusalem forty days after His birth (Leviticus 12; Exodus 13:12-15). The presentation of Jesus in the temple for dedication celebrates His early life. Read more similar posts on our Bible teaching page of the site.
Reasons for Presenting Jesus in the Temple
The parents of Jesus were both Jews. They had a tradition which was God’s instruction to present every first male child in the temple. Asdevout, they observed the Law of Moses by taking Jesus to the temple for dedication.
They took a pair of doves or two young pigeons in observance of the law. According to Leviticus 12:4-5, every male child was to be brought to the temple in Jerusalem for dedication after his mother’s purification.
When the day of purification for Mary was over, they brought Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord because “every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.
People at Jesus’ Dedication
As an act of obedience to the Law of Moses, Jesus was brought to the temple by his parents. On getting there, they met some persons who joined them in his dedication.
Simeon
Simeon was inspired by the Holy Spirit to go to the temple at the time Jesus was presented. He was a devout and righteous man. The Spirit of God revealed to him that he would not die until He saw the Messiah. When he saw Jesus, he recognized Him as the promised Messiah.
So, he took the child in his arms and praised God for the fulfilment of His promise. He then asked God to allow him to die because he had seen the salvation of the Lord, which He had prepared for the whole world.
He further testified that Jesus is ‘a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people, Israel.’ Simeon’sprophecy amazed His parents. He also blessed His parents and told Mary the mission of the child, which would bring her pain.
Prophetess Anna
Anna was also in the temple at the time of Jesus’ dedication. She was an old woman and a prophetess who had lived all her life as a widow because her husband died seven years into their marriage. She had always lived in the temple, fasting and praying to God.
As she saw the child, she recognized him as the Redeemer and she moved closer to them, gave thanks to God, and testified of Him to all who were there. Despite her challenges in life, she faithfully served and worshipped God.
The significance of her presence at the dedication is to bear witness to the messianic prophecies about Jesus. She was privileged to see the fulfilment of the prophecy about the birth of Jesus.
Practical Lessons from Jesus’ Dedication
The dedication of Jesus at the temple teaches us some lessons. They include:
Patience
Simeon and Prophetess Anna were both patient. They had been waiting for the fulfilment of the birth of the Saviour. Simeon attested to the fact that Jesus’ birth was a “consolation of Israel” while Anna affirmed that she had been waiting for “the redemption of Israel”.
There are rewards for patience, and disciples must learn to be patient for the fulfilment of promises for them. There is blessedness in being patient.
Praise
Simeon and Prophetess Anna at the dedication of Jesus were both thankful to God. They appreciated God for fulfilling His promise to the nation of Israel and the world in general. Individually, they were genuinely grateful for the privilege of witnessing the fulfilment of the prophecy.
Prophecy
The dedication of Jesus further strengthened the fulfilment of the former prophecies. Simeon prophesied about the mission of Jesus to His parents as a way to remind them of what they had heard about Him before His birth. His prophecy was fulfilled at the suffering and death of Jesus.
Prayer
Prayer plays an important role in the fulfilment of prophecy. Anna’s stay at the temple for such a long time was for prayer and fasting. Little wonder she experienced the fulfilment of the prophecy about the coming of Jesus. As Christ’s disciples, we should cultivate the habit of praying persistently. We should not be discouraged from praying when God’s promises seem delayed.
Purpose
Anna and Simeon knew their purpose and they fulfilled it. They were preoccupied with worshipping God for the fulfilment of His prophecy. They did not allow any challenge to hinder them from being part of God’s purpose. They strategically positioned themselves in the temple at the presentation of Jesus.
Conclusion
When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to carry out what the Law required, little did they know that it would be time to announce Jesus publicly. His messianic mission became known to worshippers at the temple. It marked the peak of Anna’s worship in the temple and Simeon’s waiting for the fulfilment of the prophecy to Israel.
As Christ’s disciples, we should strategically position ourselves to be witnesses of God’s promise by witnessing Christ to the world around us. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will be in the right place at the right time to fulfil God’s purpose.
This time of the year is known for hustling and bustling. The euphoria of the season can easily distract believers from the significance of the birth of Jesus. Believers should be sober so as not to lose sight of the essence of the season while celebrating with their loved ones.
We should use the period to show love to the less privileged and share the Gospel with them. We can also sing Carol of the birth of Jesus Christ during this period.
The lyrics of Christmas carols remind us of the essence of Jesus’ birth as well as what our disposition should be at a time like this. Lastly, the lessons in the topics for the month should be our priority. We should put them into practice, and let people around us see Jesus as the reason for the season.
Post-Group Activity
Invite your friends, neighbours, and unbelievers for a Christmas celebration in the church
Prayers
As we are in the season of Jesus’ dedication and birth, it will be amazing to pray these prayer points.
- Lord, help us to be in the right place at the right time to fulfil Your purpose.
- Almighty God, help me to have the spirit of patience in the name of Jesus.
- Lord Jesus, open my mouth to worship you always in the name of Jesus.
- Eternal God, let the good and positive prophecy concerning my life and all that concerns me come to pass from now on in the name of Jesus.
- My Jesus, give me the zeal and passion of prayers from today in the name of Jesus.
- Lord Jesus, let my purpose be right from now and let it be achieved in the name of Jesus.
- I thank you for your love and this season. Let your name be glorified in the name of Jesus.
- My time has come in the name of Jesus in the name of Jesus.
