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Jesus Was DedicatedDear Parents,
This week in The Gospel Project® for Kids, our journey takes place about 33 days after Jesus’ birth. Do you remember the first few weeks of your precious child’s life? Mary and Joseph, the proud new parents of the Savior, took Him to the temple as God had commanded. Long ago, the Lord spoke to Moses: “Consecrate every firstborn male to Me, the firstborn from every womb among the Israelites, both man and domestic animal; it is Mine” (Exodus 13:2). Consecrate means “to dedicate to a sacred purpose.” God’s people were to set apart their firstborn as belonging to the Lord. The firstborn of sacrificial animals were sacrificed to God, and the firstborn of humans and donkeys were redeemed—a lamb was sacrificed instead. God’s law for the consecration of the firstborn had a purpose: to remind the people that the Lord brought them out of Egypt by the strength of His hand. (See Exodus 13:14-16.) After a woman gave birth, she was “unclean,” and she would observe a period of purification—a reminder that we are all born in sin. Then she would bring to the priest a burnt offering and a sin offering. (See Leviticus 12:1-8.) This is what Mary did. When Mary’s days of purification were complete, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem, where they presented Him to the Lord and offered a sacrifice. Though Jesus was not born in sin, He identified with sinners even as a baby. This initial act introduced Jesus’ perfect life of obedience to the law. While Mary and Joseph were at the temple, God graciously revealed to a man named Simeon and a woman named Anna that Jesus was the One—the promised Messiah they had been waiting for. Imagine their joy! Throughout the Old Testament, God promised the arrival of a king who would redeem God's people. When Jesus arrived, Simeon and Anna knew He was the promised Messiah. Today, we have faith that Jesus is God’s Son. We can trust Jesus for our salvation. |
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Jesus Was Dedicated
Luke 2:21-40
Mary and Joseph’s baby—God’s Son—was a few days old when Mary and Joseph named Him Jesus, just like the angel had told them to do before the baby was even born. One day, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem.
Mary and Joseph wanted to obey God and His law. Part of the law that God gave Moses said, “When a woman’s first son is born, his parents must dedicate him to the Lord.” The law also said that the child’s parents should sacri ce two turtledoves or two young pigeons for the child. At the temple, Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the Lord and offered two birds as a sacri ce.
Another man was at the temple. His name was Simeon, and he lived in Jerusalem. Simeon loved God, and He trusted in God’s promise to send a Messiah to save people from sin. God’s Spirit was with Simeon, and God had told Simeon that he would not die until he saw the One who would rescue people from their sin.
That day, God’s Spirit had led Simeon to the temple. Simeon saw Jesus and picked Him up in his arms. God’s Spirit showed Simeon that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Simeon was so happy. He praised God and said, “Lord, you can let me die now. You kept Your promise, and I have seen the One who will save people from sin.” Simeon said that Jesus would save God’s people, the Israelites, and Jesus would also save people from other nations.
Mary and Joseph were amazed at what Simeon said about Jesus. Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph. He told Mary that being Jesus’ mother would be a very good thing, but it would also be very hard. Some people would love Jesus, but others would hate Him. Things were going to happen that would make Mary very sad.
A woman named Anna was also at the temple. Anna was a prophetess, a female prophet. Anna’s husband had died, and Anna was very old. She stayed at the temple and worshiped God all the time. She prayed and fasted. Anna came up to Simeon, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and she began to thank God. Anna talked about Jesus to people who were waiting for God to keep His promise to send a Savior. She told them the good news: the Savior was here!
Mary and Joseph nished dedicating Jesus and making sacri ces to God. They obeyed God’s law. Then they went back home to Nazareth. Jesus grew up and was strong and healthy. He was wise, and God was happy with Him.
Christ Connection: Throughout the Old Testament, God promised the arrival of a king who would redeem God’s people. When Jesus arrived, Simeon and Anna knew He was the promised Messiah. Today, we have faith that Jesus is God’s Son. We can trust Jesus for our salvation, and like Simeon and Anna, we should share the good news.
Luke 2:21-40
Mary and Joseph’s baby—God’s Son—was a few days old when Mary and Joseph named Him Jesus, just like the angel had told them to do before the baby was even born. One day, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem.
Mary and Joseph wanted to obey God and His law. Part of the law that God gave Moses said, “When a woman’s first son is born, his parents must dedicate him to the Lord.” The law also said that the child’s parents should sacri ce two turtledoves or two young pigeons for the child. At the temple, Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the Lord and offered two birds as a sacri ce.
Another man was at the temple. His name was Simeon, and he lived in Jerusalem. Simeon loved God, and He trusted in God’s promise to send a Messiah to save people from sin. God’s Spirit was with Simeon, and God had told Simeon that he would not die until he saw the One who would rescue people from their sin.
That day, God’s Spirit had led Simeon to the temple. Simeon saw Jesus and picked Him up in his arms. God’s Spirit showed Simeon that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Simeon was so happy. He praised God and said, “Lord, you can let me die now. You kept Your promise, and I have seen the One who will save people from sin.” Simeon said that Jesus would save God’s people, the Israelites, and Jesus would also save people from other nations.
Mary and Joseph were amazed at what Simeon said about Jesus. Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph. He told Mary that being Jesus’ mother would be a very good thing, but it would also be very hard. Some people would love Jesus, but others would hate Him. Things were going to happen that would make Mary very sad.
A woman named Anna was also at the temple. Anna was a prophetess, a female prophet. Anna’s husband had died, and Anna was very old. She stayed at the temple and worshiped God all the time. She prayed and fasted. Anna came up to Simeon, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and she began to thank God. Anna talked about Jesus to people who were waiting for God to keep His promise to send a Savior. She told them the good news: the Savior was here!
Mary and Joseph nished dedicating Jesus and making sacri ces to God. They obeyed God’s law. Then they went back home to Nazareth. Jesus grew up and was strong and healthy. He was wise, and God was happy with Him.
Christ Connection: Throughout the Old Testament, God promised the arrival of a king who would redeem God’s people. When Jesus arrived, Simeon and Anna knew He was the promised Messiah. Today, we have faith that Jesus is God’s Son. We can trust Jesus for our salvation, and like Simeon and Anna, we should share the good news.