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The Testimony of Believers

Lesson Four: by Christina Farris

Every place in the world as customs concerning the birth of a child. Our hospitals weighs, measures and footprint the birth
certificate. Males are often circumcised whether for religion reason or for over all health reasons. Babies are placed in their
mother’s arms and take home short time after a normal birth and longer if something goes wrong during the birthing process.
Many churches do baby dedications or baptism for the parents of a newborn child symbolizing that they will raise their child in a
godly home as well as in a church.

Jewish people had there customs as well and followed the law of Moses concerning offerings and gifts to God concerning
purification rights and a birth of a child. Some customs seeming a bit strange to us, but understanding that it was a religious law
and not a law of necessarily national or in the country makes a huge difference. County law or, federal law would be like getting
your children immunized. However I seriously doubt immunization of any kind was way back in Roman and Jewish culture. We
must remember that Roman law brought Christ to Bethlehem and Jewish law brought Joseph, Mary and Jesus to the temple.
Sometimes laws overlap. What was Jewish religious law toward having a baby boy as well as purification rights of the mother.
One has to examine Old Testament.

Leviticus 12:1-8 KJV
(1) And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
(2) Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean
seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
(3) And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
(4) And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come
into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
(5) But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood
of her purifying threescore and six days.
(6) And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a
burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto
the priest:
(7) Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood.
This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.
(8) And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering,
and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.

Luke 2:21-24 KJV
(21) And 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.
(22) And 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;)
(24) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

Mary could go to the temple after eight days and offer the proper sacrifices to God. These laws seem excessive, but in all reality
they were a part of customs of the day. However this would bring more witnesses to testify of who Jesus was and is. Let us
looking at the testimony of believers. The first to testify after the birth was the shepherds, but upon going to be purified a old
man in the temple began to speak to Mary and Joseph, his name was Simeon. The Lord had promised him before His death he
see the Messiah. God was stil speaking to His people.

Luke 2:25-35 KJV
(25) And, 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.
(26) And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
(27) And 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,
(28) Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
(29) Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
(30) For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
(31) Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
(32) A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
(33) And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
(34) And 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.

Now if you look at the story of Simeon with no knowledge of the events that would occur one might think this is a crazy old
man, however one still has the visit of the angel Gabriel as well as the testimony of Elizabeth to Mary to fall back on. Yet this
testimony would cause Joseph and Mary to marvel at these things spoken to them by Simeon. What a joy it must of been for
Mary and Joseph to know the promise of God was being fulfilled in this birth. Yet to grasp sorrow would come, might of been
confusing. Did Mary know her son would die and rise again perhaps, and if not it would be revealed in time to her.

The next believer was old woman name Anna who lived in the temple since her husband passing. She gave thanks when she
seen the Lord and knew that he was the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36-38 KJV
(36) And 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;
(37) And 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.
(38) And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for
redemption in Jerusalem.

Mary and Joseph would go back to Nazareth after all was fulfilled according to customs.

Luke 2:39-40 KJV
(39) And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city
Nazareth.
(40) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Joseph and Mary would go to the temple every year but not until Jesus was twelve was He allowed to go with them, and upon
going He got left behind at the temple. Something easy to happen if traveling in a group. Everyone assuming the children are
together only to discover they are not together playing along the way. Mary and Joseph would go in search of Jesus only to find
Him as Jesus said in His Father house. The priest and scribes marveled at all the Jesus said. They were surprised at his
understanding and knowledge.

Luke 2:41-52 KJV
(41) Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
(42) And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
(43) And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his
mother knew not of it.
(44) But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk
and acquaintance.
(45) And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
(46) And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing
them, and asking them questions.
(47) And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
(48) And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold,
thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
(49) And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
(50) And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
(51) And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in
her heart.
(52) And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Jesus would go back to home with his parents and being obedient to them Yet He would grow in wisdom and knowledge of
God. These testimonies of Jesus is important to us as believers because it shows reverence to God His Father as well as to His
earthly parents. These testimony are foundation testimonies to who Christ was, but was we study Luke not all will know who
Jesus is. Not all will be converted, However next week we look at the testimony of John the baptist of who Jesus was and who
he himself was. We know according the angel he was the forerunner of Jesus. The one to preach before Christ to make way for
the Messiah.