Return to Desire of Ages - Chapter 5 See page on Original site
| Chapter 5: The Dedication |
Chapter is Based on Luke 2: 21 to 38
| What happened
|
Main point from Chapter 5 .
|
Simple Teaching point
|
| Scripture: Luke 2: 21
|
|
|
| On the eighth day, the baby is circumcised and given the name Jesus, just as the angel had instructed. |
Christ, though sinless, willingly submitted to the requirements of God’s law and fully identified Himself with the human family. |
Jesus kept God’s law from His earliest days. We keep the commandments, not to earn salvation, but because we follow our Saviour’s example. |
| Luke 2: 22–23
|
|
|
| When Mary’s days of purification are complete, she and Joseph travel to the temple in Jerusalem to dedicate their firstborn Son to the Lord. |
Every firstborn belonged to God, a reminder of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. The priest performed the ceremony but did not discern who the Child truly was. |
The temple services pointed to Christ. Our understanding of the sanctuary keeps Jesus at the center of God’s plan to save us. |
| Luke 2: 24
|
|
|
| Unable to afford a lamb, they bring the offering God allowed for families of humble means: two turtledoves or two young pigeons. |
Ellen White points out that this was the offering permitted for the poor (see Leviticus 12:8). |
The King of heaven chose poverty. God values a willing heart above the size of our gift, and He is never far from the humble. |
| Luke 2: 25 – 26
|
|
|
| Simeon, a righteous and devout man, has been waiting for God to comfort His people. The Holy Spirit has assured him he will see the Messiah before he dies. |
Simeon had studied the prophecies and held firmly to God’s promise. |
Like Simeon, we are waiting people. We study prophecy and hold fast to the promise of Christ’s soon return. |
| |
Luke 2:27–28 |
|
| Guided by the Spirit, Simeon enters the temple at the very moment Jesus is brought in. He takes the Child in his arms and blesses God. |
While others saw an ordinary baby, the Spirit enabled Simeon to recognize the Messiah. |
The Word and the Spirit work together. When we study Scripture prayerfully, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see Jesus. |
