Characters at the Cradle: Simeon, Time for Purification

by David Chadwick

This week, we continue to look at the characters at the cradle. These are the people whose lives divinely intersected with the incarnation of Jesus. Even from the womb, Zechariah and Elizabeth’s lives were impacted by the miraculous conception of this soon-coming King of kings.

So, what is currently happening in the story? And what character is at the cradle this week? His name is Simeon. You will find his story in Luke 2:22-35 and we start by looking at verses 22 and 23.

Before Simeon comes on the scene, it is important to understand the context of what is happening in the story. Today and tomorrow, we will look at what is happening before Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus meet Simeon.

The birth of Jesus had just occurred. An angel, along with an angelic host, appeared to the shepherds and told them that the Savior of the world had just been born. The angel told them to go to the city of David, Bethlehem, where they would find the baby lying in a manger.

Luke 2:22-23 says that the time had come for their purification. Mary and Joseph brought Jesus “up to Jerusalem.” What does this mean? It implies walking up on Mount Zion, where the Temple was built. This was where they needed to take Jesus for the purification ceremony.

As written in Leviticus 12:3-4, this “time” was 40 days after birth, 33 days after circumcision (which is eight days after birth). According to the Law of Moses, the firstborn male child was to be presented to the Lord and called holy to the Lord.

Notice how devoted Mary and Joseph were to keeping the Law of God. Why did God choose them to be the mom and dad of his Son, the second person of the Godhead? I supposed it had a lot to do with their total devotion to God and obedience to his Law. They were not casually committed. They loved God with all their hearts.

Think about what most parents want for their kids—prestige, popularity, success, position, and prosperity. Now look at what God wanted for his Son: a mom and dad who would raise him in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This should make all parents pause and refocus our priorities for our kids. Just as Jesus was brought to the temple for purification, we should live our lives in a way that always asks God to give us clean hands and pure hearts.

A fervent love for God and a willingness to wholeheartedly follow Jesus should be the primary aim. There should then be an intentional desire for husband and wife to love one another and extend that love to their children. From there, love should overflow into the world. That is what is most important in a family. That’s the strong foundation and Christlike environment that is needed to raise great and godly kids.