Luke 2: Simeon and Anna meet Baby Jesus

In the second chapter of Luke's Gospel (Luke 2) Mary and Joseph bring a six-week old Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem. They make this family trip to the temple for two reasons: (1) so that Mary can undergo a purification rite prescribed by the Law of Moses and (2) so that Jesus, as the firstborn son, can be dedicated to the Lord (also a requirement of Torah). Whilst in the temple, the holy family encounters two very special people: Simeon, an old man who had been told by God that he would one day set eyes upon the Messiah and Anna, an old woman who had given her life to God's service. Both of these Jewish elders affirm that Mary's boy is a very special child indeed. At the heart of this story is one central idea; namely, that Jesus is the JEWISH saviour of the world, who is ALSO a source of great division. We'll explore this idea further as we take a closer look at this story from Luke 2.