LESSON 1
»» Angel Gabriel appears to
Zechariah (1:8–23); Angel
Gabriel appears to Mary
(1:26–38).
»» Mary sings a song after
seeing the angel (1:46–55);
Zechariah sings after seeing
the angel (1:68–79).
»» A centurion slave is healed
(7:1–10); a widow’s son
is raised from the dead
(7:11–17).
»» Jairus’ daughter is raised
(8:41–42, 49–56); the
bleeding woman is healed
(8:43–46).
»» A crippled woman is healed
(13:10–17); a lame man is
healed (14:1–6).
»» Parable of the man plant-
in the temple was to help the
Israelites remember the stories
that shaped their identity as a
whole people. The arrival of
a firstborn son was commemorated by remembrance of
the foundational story of the
Exodus journey to freedom
(Exodus 13:12–16). To remember this event was to claim a
place for the newborn male in
the line of history and blessing.
As Jesus’ family comes to the
temple to show their devotion to God and to meet the
requirements of tradition, they
are met by Simeon, waiting for
them. The text tells us of their
encounter.
A WOMAN WITH A VOICE IS BY DEFINITION A STRONG
WOMAN. BUT THE SEARCH TO FIND THAT VOICE CAN BE
REMARKABLY DIFFICULT.
— M E L I N D A G AT E S ( 1 9 6 4 – P R E S E N T ) , A M E R I C A N
BUSINESSWOMAN AND PHILANTHROPIST
ing a mustard seed (13:18–
19); parable of the woman
mixing yeast (13:20–21).
»» Parable of the shepherd seeking a lost sheep
(15:3–7); parable of the
woman seeking a lost coin
(15:8–10).
»» The women at the tomb
(24:1–11); the Disciples see
Jesus on the road to Emmaus (24:13–35).1
A FIRSTBORN SON
When Mary and Joseph
brought their baby to the
temple for blessings, they were
fulfilling a long-held tradition
of their faith community and
meeting the law as outlined in
the Torah. These laws required
a time of purification away
from the general community,
as well as animal offerings
(Leviticus 12:2–8). Although
these ancient laws, with their
concerns for purification and
offerings, may seem strange to
us, the intent of such rituals
was to maintain right relationship with God and community.
Another reason for such rituals
8
Simeon took him in his
arms and praised God,
saying, “Master, now you
are dismissing your servant
in peace, according to your
word; for my eyes have seen
your salvation, which you
have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light
for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people
Israel.”
And the child’s father and
mother were amazed at
what was being said about
him.Then Simeon blessed
them and said to his mother
Mary, “This child is destined
for the falling and the rising
of many in Israel, and to be
a sign that will be opposed
so that the inner thoughts
of many will be revealed —
and a sword will pierce your
own soul too.”
— LUKE 2:28–33
This was beautiful news and
confirmation of Mary’s vision
from the angel Gabriel, and
yet the message came with the
SPRING 2015
added hard news of suffering
to come. The text does not
record the couple’s respon 6RF