Our savior lived under the Law and fulfilled every requirement it demanded. Even his parents were obedient to the Law. When he was born his parents fulfilled their responsibility for a son born first. Luke records,
And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”) (Luke 2:22-23).
God’s sovereign grace set apart Joseph and Mary so they could set apart Jesus to the Lord. And the grace of God that worked in their lives also worked in the life of Simeon. We read of him,
And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (Luke 2:25-26).
The Roman world was a time of confusion for the people of God as they lived in the midst of brutal oppressors. But this has often been the case for God’s people. We are reminded here that God’s grace can work and bless his people no matter what our circumstances. God preserves and blessed the righteous.
Gospel Meditations 