1. The Presentation of our Lord

2. NOT TOO MANY PICTURES OF ME AS A BABY, CHILD… BEING THE FIFTH CHILD IN THE FAMILY. LUCKY TO GET FED… MUCH LESS MY PICTURE TAKEN KIND OF TREASURE WHAT I HAVE.. ONLY A FEW INFANCY SNAP SHOTS OF JESUS WE TREASURE THOSE, TOO

5. (1). On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
(2). When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem
(3). to present him to the Lord (as it was written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

6. Three Ceremonies. Luke 2:21-24
Circumcision
Purification
Presentation

7. (1). On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
(2). When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem
(3). to present him to the Lord (as it was written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

8. (1). On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
(2). When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem
(3). to present him to the Lord (as it was written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

9. Leviticus 12:2-8

10. Presentation: February 2nd
Ceremony eclipsed by….

11. GROUNDHOG DAY!

12. “Candlemas”
Feb. 2nd end of Epiphany, “light to the Gentiles” Candles brought to church for blessing to last the year…

13. PRESENTATION = CONSECRATION AND REDEMPTION OF FIRSTBORN
Exodus 13:1. “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal.”

14. CONSECRATION AND REDEMPTION
“reserved for God and God’s service.”
Firstborn animals were sacrificed.
Firstborn humans were to serve God as priests… or be “redeemed.”

15. CONSECRATION AND REDEMPTION
Levites firstborn were made priests. (Num. 3:11-13)
Non-Levite firstborn (like Jesus) were redeemed by paying five shekels to the priest to support the priesthood. (Numbers 3:46-47)

16. CONSECRATION AND REDEMPTION
All firstborn males belong to the LORD: No mention of that price being paid for Jesus at his presentation. Could this be because he would serve God his whole life? Or… that he would be sacrificed for our sin?

18. Simeon

19. Moved by the Spirit…

20. Prophesy to Israel
'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation,  which you have prepared in the sight of all people

21. Prophesy to Israel
a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him." (2:28-33)

22. Prophesy to Israel
Simeon's prophetic hymn is called the Nunc Dimittis, after the first two words of the prophecy in Latin, used in Communion Liturgy for centuries.

23. "sovereign Lord…promise" "your salvation" “Gentiles”
Prophesy to Israel
"sovereign Lord…promise"
"your salvation"
“Gentiles”

24. Prophecy to Mary (to us)
"This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel." 
"and to be a sign that will be spoken against." 

25. Prophecy to Mary (to us)
"so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed." 
"And a sword will pierce your own soul too." 

26. The Prophetess Anna (2:36-38)
"There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty- four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying."

27. The Prophetess Anna (2:36-38)
"Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem."

28. Luther’s Lessons on the Presentation
It doesn’t make sense to him until he sees it with his own eyes: Evil, rejection, hatred of a God who is offering to save?
He then goes to Herod’s plot, slaughter of the innocents…

29. Luther’s Lessons on the Presentation
“If I had known the evil in the hearts of (people) a hundred horses could not have dragged me to preach.”

30. There is an “other” kingdom

31. There is the “other kingdom”
Very real fight and battle.
Hearts will be revealed.
There will be a rising and falling.
Satan uses good things (religion, politics, technology, sexuality, food and drink… etc.) to lure good people to reject God.

32. Luther:
“What happened then to Christ happens now to the Gospel. But Herod failed.”

33. Satan, too has failed!

34. Presentation of our Lord
Has He reached your heart?
Will He reach through your heart…?