We know from other gospels, that Joseph would receive a
dream, telling him to take the Child and his mother and flee to Egypt, because
Herod wanted the baby dead. What we do
not know, is precisely “when” and “where” that dream was given. We know from history and scripture that Herod
finally figured out that the Magi, or wise men, did not return to his palace at
Herodium to inform him of precisely where Jesus was born, or who his father and
mother were. When Herod figured this deception
out, that gruesome order went out to slay every baby of two or under in the
entire city/region of Bethlehem. But we
do not know how long it took before Herod figured the deception out and gave
the order. From the reading of other
gospels, it kinda feels like all this took place on the very night Jesus was
born. But it would have taken longer
than that for the Magi to return to Herod’s palace 12 miles south of Jerusalem,
if they had had a mind to in the first place.
Keep in mind, feet and camels are not speed travelers. So there is some intervening time between the
birth of Jesus and the order to kill all the babies in Bethlehem.
Luke is the first gospel writer, to fill in some of the
blanks in what happens between the first event and the ultimate events of
horror we all remember Herod for. In
that middle ground, in that middle time, there were a few traditions Jesus
would become a part of. First, all newborn
children are a gift from God. And all
male children were to be circumcised to carry the mark within their flesh, that
they belong to God and are not their own.
So Joseph and Mary depart from Bethlehem and travel to Jerusalem to
present Jesus at the Temple in order to make a small sacrifice, circumcise
Jesus, and name Jesus. Ships passing in
the night begin to move to Jerusalem, with no special fanfare or
celebration. Joseph was no rich man, but
he now carries on the donkey’s back, not only Mary, and Jesus, but also the
wealth of the gifts of the Magi they presented him at the manger in Bethlehem. While these ships move south to Jerusalem,
the ships of the Magi move east back towards Persia, and Babylon, and the home
nations they came from. And the ships of
the shepherds simply go back to work in the fields, finding all their sheep
right where they left them, completely unharmed, not a one lost.
Movement everywhere, no one specifically aware of the
others. In retrospect it might have been
better for the shepherds to leave Bethlehem altogether, but that is
unlikely. And so the greatest event in
history revealed to them, would be followed by one of the worst acts in history
visited upon them. Not because God
willed it to be so, but because man would not will it any other way. Luke picks up the movements in chapter two of
his gospel letter, beginning in verse 21 he continues saying … “And when eight
days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called
JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
[verse 22] And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses
were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; [verse
23] (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb
shall be called holy to the Lord;) [verse 24] And to offer a sacrifice
according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves,
or two young pigeons.”
Had Herod been in Jerusalem when Jesus was presented at the
Temple, he would not have known Him.
Because Herod did not know who His parents were, they could have been
anybody. The names Mary and Joseph were
never shared with Herod. Herod could
have traveled up from his palace at Herodium and been standing right next to
them at sacrifice and never known it.
But this is unlikely given the events that followed. Herod was of Arabic descent, but his father
and their family had converted to Judaism a long time ago. Imagine the irony of an Arabic man, who was
named king and granted citizenship of Rome, by both Julius and Augustus Caesar
themselves, is the one who converts to Judaism and is responsible for
rebuilding the Jewish Temple (that the Romans would one day tear down). This man of “greatness” was willing and eager
to kill any baby who might one day challenge his rule over the people.
Herod understood righteousness. He even understood it by Jewish terms, and
under Jewish traditions. Herod also
understood hypocrisy. And he recognized
hypocrisy in the behavior of the Pharisees and Sadducees and Sanhedrim who were
as concerned about maintaining their power over the people in religious matters
as Herod was in maintaining it over them in secular affairs. By comparison, Herod thought himself a better
Jew, than the Jews who were always condemning him. Herod thought it irony that a Roman installed
high priest, should dare to criticize Herod for anything, while standing in the
Temple that Herod built. And yet, ships
that pass in the night, here was baby Jesus in the Temple that Herod built,
come to be circumcised by the Sanhedrin priests who one day would seek to kill
Him, right there in plain sight and in perfect anonymity.
And not all in the Temple were hypocrites or
unrighteous. Simeon was a devout servant
of our God. And Luke records his
interaction with Jesus at the same Temple, at the same time Jesus was named and
circumcised while others were blissfully unaware, God was revealed to those who
were looking. Luke continues in verse 25
saying … “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and
the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and
the Holy Ghost was upon him. [verse 26] And it was revealed unto him by the
Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.” You will note Simeon was not a wicked, slothful,
backsliding servant of God. Simeon was
not looking for God to excuse his evil, he was looking for the consolation of
Israel to remove his evil from him, that he might die in peace, and in
hope. Simeon wanted to see a glimpse of
the change that was coming to his entire nation.
Luke continues in verse 27 saying … “And he came by the
Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do
for him after the custom of the law, [verse 28] Then took he him up in his
arms, and blessed God, and said, [verse 29] Lord, now lettest thou thy servant
depart in peace, according to thy word: [verse 30] For mine eyes have seen thy
salvation, [verse 31] Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
[verse 32] A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” Just in case you are keeping score, this one
could not qualify as another gospel country music song, because Simeon is not
country folk. However this blessing is
equally inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Simeon is led to the Temple at this time, on this day, by the
Spirit. Ships were moving in the night,
but this ship was intended to meet a very special other, and so it did. Simeon then pulls a Mufasa from the Lion
King, and holds this baby high in his arms, speaking this blessing over the
child. Simeon has now resigned himself
to die in peace, everything he needed to see he has seen.
Herod could have heard all this. But he didn’t. Simeon had more to prophecy for the parents
of Jesus, as Luke continues in verse 33 saying … “And Joseph and his mother
marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. [verse 34] And Simeon
blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the
fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken
against; [verse 35] (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that
the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Simeon tries to warn Mary, that Jesus is bound for a death that will
both save us all, as well as reveal the innermost thoughts of our hearts (our
motives). This was not meant as a
threat, but a hope to help her prepare for what was coming. It was not to be an anti-Roman paradise, but
instead, a place where submission leads to victory where nothing else can. It is to begin and end in death. Only then will life be possible.
It would have been enough for Luke to end the story right
then, but he does not. Luke continues in
verse 36 saying … “And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of
Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an
husband seven years from her virginity; [verse 37] And she was a widow of about
fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God
with fastings and prayers night and day. [verse 38] And she coming in that
instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that
looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
Anna was a prophetess, given this gift of God. She is very old. She prays and fasts at the Temple both day
and night. She had one husband she
married around the age of 20, and he died at some point, leaving her around the
age of 84 on the day she will meet Jesus.
She too holds Jesus, and blesses Him, and blesses the parents of Jesus
pointing them to look for redemption in this baby child.
Two righteous souls, two witnesses (as was the Jewish
tradition and custom) testifying to the same thing, that Jesus was the Messiah. Whether Herod was twelves miles away at
Herodium, or only twelve minutes outside the Temple gate, it doesn’t really
matter. He missed it. Joseph and Mary are now outbound from
Jerusalem, still pondering the events that took place at the temple. Luke concludes his version of these events in
verse 39 saying … “And when they had performed all things according to the law
of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. [verse 40]
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the
grace of God was upon him.” Luke is
right about this eventual disposition.
But he misses the dream Joseph is given to arise, take the Child and His
mother and flee to Egypt for Herod seeks the life of this baby boy.
And Joseph does go to Egypt for nearly seven years. While Joseph and Mary head south to Egypt,
they likely do their best to avoid the fortress of Herodium and the palace of
Herod within. Yet their ship heads
south, while Herod’s ship of soldiers rides north to Bethlehem to carry out the
most heinous order in the history of that town.
Herod has figured out the Magi have tricked him. They are never coming back to him. Since he has no specific’s he must kill them
all. But the mind of Caesar’s friend is
in steady deterioration now. Being a
Roman citizen will not prevent that.
Being a king does not help. Being
a ruthless Jew is no help. His Arabic
blood does him no good. A man who
believes himself to have done great things, is now facing the death of
greatness. He stains his history with
the blood of babies, in a quest for power that will die before Jesus enters the
Temple again. None of his
accomplishments will keep him from the death of disease and madness he is now
to face. Until death finally takes him.
Meanwhile, somewhere else, likely in Jerusalem in a pauper’s
quarters, an aged servant of God, of no special means, or accomplishments, dies
peacefully and with a heart of full contentment. Simeon passes from this world assured of the
world that is to come. No one can take
this peace from him, not even death can take it. And elsewhere across the city, a very old
widow takes her last breath on this earth.
It is not a labored breath of stress and anxiety; it is a deep breath of
peace and tranquility. She does not long
for death, but she longs for what she is now sure will come to this world, and
will be the guiding presence of the next world to come. They both sleep now with no concept of the
passage of time. They are dust, but from
dust they will both return. Not as old
and infirmed, but as young, vibrant, perfect, and in His image perfectly as He
intended them both to be. Their stories
and testimonies are not over, they are merely beginning. For a servant of our Lord, is never done with
service, and never more fulfilled than when granted the pleasure of
serving. And time will no more be a
barrier.
Ships have passed in the night, none aware of each other,
but God aware of all of them …
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