The Remnant Luke 2: 21-38
1. The Dedication of Jesus
22 And 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 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Luke 2:22-24 (ESV)
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,Galatians 4:4 (ESV)
Similar to Jesus’ baptism, He was circumcised to fulfill all righteousness as God commanded it; and though he was not conceived in original sin, Jesus came to identifywith sinful humanity as its sacrifice. Matthew 1:21
2. The Dedication of Simeon
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, Luke 2:25-28 (ESV)
Devoutrefers to a sensitive God-fearer or faithful law abider.
“The consolationof Israel” means messianic hope.
1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.Isaiah 40:1 (ESV); Isaiah 49:8-13; Isaiah 51:3-12; Isaiah 52:9; Isaiah 54:11; Isaiah 57:18.
1 The Spirit of the Lord GODis upon me,because the LORDhas anointed meto bring good news to the poor;he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim liberty to the captives,and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;Isaiah 61:1 (ESV)
10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her;rejoice with her in joy,all you who mourn over her;11 that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast;that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious abundance.”12 For thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees.13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.Isaiah 66:10-13 (ESV)
Simeon was a man who was ledby the Spirit of God, taughtby the Word of God, and obedientto the will of God.
3. The Dedication of Anna
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.Luke 2:36-38 (ESV)
In the events that surround both that statements of Simeon and Anna, there is a hint of the remnantconcept: found in those who wait.