Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
Israel was called to remember how, when they were set free from Pharaoh's rule in Egypt, their own firstborn were spared while the Lord killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This consecration was meant as a remembrance of the mighty deeds of the Lord.
The Presentation of Jesus meant something more than the usual consecration of a firstborn. For those others looked to the past for their significance. But in Jesus it was revealed that even the sacrifice of the firstborn in Egypt pointed toward a future reality. Jesus himself was the true firstborn of the Father whose death delivered not only Israel but all of humanity from bondage to sin. He was the lamb whose blood marked the hearts of the people of God so that the angel of destruction would spare them. Henceforth, all those who survived and set free would not look back to what God did in Egypt so much as to what God did in Christ.
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
The death of the firstborn in Egypt was a temporary solution that dethroned false claimants to divine authority. It allowed the Israelites to survive, free from Egypt, but still in bondage to sin. The death of the firstborn of God was the only death that could destroy death. His was the only life over which the Devil had no true claim. His was the only obedience so perfect as to merit resurrection, not only for himself, but for all who would believe in him. He did not simply turn the angel of death away from those who remained guilty. He was the offering that would actually "expiate the sins of the people." His blood not only covered, but cleansed.
And suddenly there will come to the temple
the LORD whom you seek,
And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.
But who will endure the day of his coming?
Will we endure the day of his coming? Today we are presented with two examples of people who did so. Simeon "was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him." Phanuel "never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer." They both recognized this significance of the Presentation of the Lord, a feast that it is easy even for Christians in the west to treat as trivial. Because their hope and desire actually grew while they waited rather than decreasing, when the fulfillment of that hope arrived they were able to welcome him.
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.
May the Lord help us to grow and grow in hope as we wait for the Savior to reveal himself to us more in this life and then completely in the beatific vision. May he show us the greatness of the light that came to the temple that day, the returning of the shekinah glory, so that in it we can find our peace, give thanks, and speak of it to all who will listen.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
No comments:
Post a Comment