Sunday, August 30, 2020 | Jesus was Dedicated
Throughout the Old Testament, God promised the arrival of a king who would redeem 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.
Jesus Was Dedicated | Luke 2
Mary and Joseph’s baby—God’s own Son—was a few days old when Mary and Joseph named Him Jesus, just like the angel had told them to do. One day, when Jesus was a few weeks old, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem.
Mary and Joseph wanted to obey God and His law. 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 give a sacrifice. At the temple, Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the Lord and offered two birds as a sacrifice.
Another man was at the temple. His name was Simeon. 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. 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 at the temple too. Anna’s husband had died, and Anna was very old. She stayed at the temple and worshiped God all the time. 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 finished dedicating Jesus and making sacrifices 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 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.
Family Starting Points
Activity Pages
Family Activity – Apply the Story
Make crazy glasses to signify Anna and Simeon seeing Jesus for the first time. The template for the glasses is below. I would print them on cardstock, so they hold up. Resource
Say: Do you know what it means to recognize someone? (Children respond.) It means to know who someone is. Simeon and Anna recognized baby Jesus as the Savior God promised to send us. In this game, I’ll describe something or someone. Then you will look around the room to see if you recognize what I have just described.
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