Good Fella:
- “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Luke 1, 45*
I don’t think that there was any doubt that Mary would do this, do you?
This is not great feat of *faith *on Mary’s part, consecrating and dedicating Jesus to God in the temple….she was simply following the Judaic customs.
But Mary did
more “than just consecrate and dedicate her only son to God in the temple” – she did what every woman did at that time after giving birth:
Luke 2:
21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord)
24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Or – Mary was humbly observing the practices prescribed by Mosaic Law, because she was a woman and very human and indeed had “finished her days of purification” after giving birth to a male that had opened her womb at birth.
It is interesting to note that Simeon, was enthused over Jesus and proclaimed His importance – but in doing so, Simeon made no mention or afforded any special honor to Mary at that time for her “key role” ( as you state above )…this was a man who was lead by the Holy Spirit – “Mary’s spouse” ?…. if Mary’s role was of such eminence and importance and one that would affect the lives of so many believers in the years to come by her being a “Mediatrix of the entire world”, or being the one that we should look too as an example in faith and purity, or go through in supplication or “easier” access to Jesus- it appears strange that Simeon, with “the Holy Ghost upon him”, didn’t either recognize this in Mary at the time – or it wasn’t to be an issue of any importance then or at any time.
Luke 2:
25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth
