Salvation 2

Salvation 2

1. Presentation of Jesus in the Temple/ Simeon

   • Simeon was described as "righteous and devout"
     • He was clearly very respected. Some people have tried to say he was a priest but there is no proof for this.
     • The main feature of this description is that Simeon was possessed by the Holy Spirit
   • Mary and Joseph were in the Temple
     • They were there to present Jesus "to the Lord" and to offer a sacrifice of two doves or a pair of young pigeons
       • This shows Mary and Joseph to be good, devout Jews who follow religious Law and respect God
       • According to the Law of Moses
         • "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"
         • Circumcision
       • They were most likely going to offer doves as they were poor
   • This story shows all of Luke's main themes
     • Peace
       • The Messiah will bring peace and wellbeing for all
     • Salvation
       • Jesus will save the people
         • "My eyes have seen your salvation"
     • Israel
       • It is important that the Messiah has come for Israel and the Jews
     • Gentiles
       • The Messiah has come to save not just the Jews, but the whole world
   • Mary is central to this story
     • She was in the Temple to be ritually cleansed after giving birth
       • In the Court of the Women
       • This is what the sacrifice was for

2. The Healing of Jairus' Daughter

   • This is another instance of Salvation through faith
     • However, much like other stories, the faith is on the part of someone who doesn't need saving. In this case the father.
       • He had steadfast faith.
         • Jairus was a ruler of the synagogue and therefore would have been highly respected. It would've taken a lot of courage to ask Jesus for help.
         • Someone came from his house and told him his daughter was dead. Despite this, he still believed.
           • Jesus told him not to be afraid and have faith
       • When Jesus said that the girl was only asleep, not dead, the crowd laughed at him
         • Showing that many people didn't believe
   • Jesus was attracting a crowd and clearly quite popular.
     • He told the parents not to tell anyone. He was maybe trying to keep his messianic claims secret
     • He only brought Peter, John, and James with him.
       • This may have been the beginning of an inner-circle of disciples
   • The parents were astonished which shows how radical Jesus was
   • Jesus simply told the girl to get up. After he told people to give her some food.
     • This is the correct procedure for someone who has been in a diabetic coma
     • Jesus may have been right in saying that the girl was merely "asleep"

3. The Woman with a Haemorrhage

   • This is more proof of Jesus being able to do the impossible
     • The woman had been bleeding for 12 years and no-one could heal her.
       • She had spent all she had on doctors
     • All the woman had to do was touch Jesus and she was instantly healed
   • It also tells us more about Jesus at this point in time
     • He was attracting large crowds
     • He could feel power going out of him
       • This suggests that the act of a person with faith affects Jesus in some way
       • The disciples couldn't comprehend this, they merely thought it was the crowd.
     • And how people perceived him
       • The woman was afraid of him
         • because people were afraid of those who seemed holy or powerful
         • Mostly because she was ritually unclean and anyone she touched would also be perceived as such
   • This shows UNIVERSALISM and SALVATION
     • Jesus called the woman "daughter" and acted extremely caring towards her, instead of angry.
     • Jesus was challenging and reversing attitudes to outcast groups

4. The Sinful Woman

   • The woman was someone who had "lead a sinful life". Most likely a prostitute
     • The woman used perfume to anoint Jesus' feet, kissed them, used her tears to wash them, and her hair as a towel.
       • This shows the utmost love, repentance, and belief that Jesus would bring her peace
         • Jesus says that the woman's sins are forgiven, that her faith has saved her, and to go in peace
   • The guests were shocked by Jesus' actions
     • They questioned whether Jesus was really a prophet - he should have recognized that this woman was a sinner and chastised her
     • After Jesus said that the woman's sins were forgiven they asked who Jesus was, that he could forgive sins.
       • They would've been outraged at this obvious blasphemeing
   • Simon (the pharisee) had failed to do all the things a good host should do
     • Water had not been poured on Jesus' feet as it should be for a guest
     • Simon did not greet Jesus with a kiss of welcome
     • Simon had not offered Jesus the opportunity to use perfume or anoint him with oil
     • The woman had done all these things. Jesus challenged Simon, and pointed out his failures as a host
   • Jesus also uses a parable in this story to show the importance of Salvation, and how God cares for those in trouble
     • In this parable God is the money lender, the sinful woman is the one who owes 500 denarii and Simon the debtor who owes 50 denarii