| What happened
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Main point from DA - Chapter 5 .
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Simple Teaching points
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| Scripture: Luke 2: 21
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| On the eighth day, the baby is circumcised and given the name Jesus, just as the angel had instructed. |
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Christ, though sinless, willingly submitted to the requirements of God’s law and fully identified Himself with the human family. |
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Jesus kept God’s law from His earliest days. We keep the commandments, not to earn salvation, but because we follow our Saviour’s example. |
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| Luke 2: 22–23
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| When Mary’s days of purification are complete, she and Joseph travel to the temple in Jerusalem to dedicate their firstborn Son to the Lord. |
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Every firstborn belonged to God, a reminder of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. The priest performed the ceremony but did not discern who the Child truly was. |
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The temple services pointed to Christ. Our understanding of the sanctuary keeps Jesus at the center of God’s plan to save us. |
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| Luke 2: 24
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| Unable to afford a lamb, they bring the offering God allowed for families of humble means: two turtledoves or two young pigeons. |
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Ellen White points out that this was the offering permitted for the poor (see Leviticus 12:8). |
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The King of heaven chose poverty. God values a willing heart above the size of our gift, and He is never far from the humble. |
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| Luke 2: 25 – 26
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| Simeon, a righteous and devout man, has been waiting for God to comfort His people. The Holy Spirit has assured him he will see the Messiah before he dies. |
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Simeon had studied the prophecies and held firmly to God’s promise. |
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Like Simeon, we are waiting people. We study prophecy and hold fast to the promise of Christ’s soon return. |
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| Luke 2: 27–28
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Luke 2:27–28 |
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| Guided by the Spirit, Simeon enters the temple at the very moment Jesus is brought in. He takes the Child in his arms and blesses God. |
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While others saw an ordinary baby, the Spirit enabled Simeon to recognize the Messiah. |
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The Word and the Spirit work together. When we study Scripture prayerfully, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see Jesus. |
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| Luke 2: 29–32
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| Simeon praises God that he can now depart in peace, because he has seen with his own eyes the salvation God promised. |
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Jesus is not merely Israel’s Saviour; He is a light to the Gentiles. |
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Salvation is found in Jesus alone, and it is for every nation, kindred, tongue and people. (Revelation 14:6). |
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| Luke 2: 33–34
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| Joseph and Mary marvel at his words. Simeon blesses them and tells Mary that this Child will cause many to fall and many to rise, and many will speak against Him. |
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People’s response to Jesus reveals what is really in their hearts. |
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No one can meet Christ and remain neutral. Each of us must make a personal decision for Him. |
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| Luke 2:35
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| Simeon gently warns Mary that sorrow, like a sword, will pierce her own soul. |
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Ellen White connects Mary’s future sorrow with Christ’s rejection and suffering. |
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Even at His dedication, the cross was in view. Jesus came knowing the full price of our redemption. |
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| Luke 2: 36 – 37
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| Anna, an elderly widow and prophetess, never leaves the temple. Day and night she worships God with fasting and prayer. |
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Anna represents another faithful believer who was spiritually prepared to recognize Christ. |
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Faithful waiting is active, not idle. It is marked by prayer, worship and steady devotion. |
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| Luke 2: 38
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| Coming in at that same moment, Anna gives thanks to God and speaks about Jesus to all who are looking for redemption. |
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Those who recognized the Messiah did not keep the news to themselves. |
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When we truly meet Jesus, we share Him. This is the heart of our mission to tell the world He is coming again. |
