Gospel of Luke Chapter 2 Review: Two announcements: John and Jesus; Visitation; Birth of John, Two canticles: Magnificat and Benedictus Birth of Jesus Caesar Augustus: Roman emperor from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D. o Establishes the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) o Hailed as the “son of god” and “savior” by his subjects Quirinius: Governor of Syria from 6 – 7 A.D. o Some scholars suggest that Quirinius did two censuses – registration of all land and property at Jesus’ birth and taxes in 6 A.D. Bethlehem: Small Judean village about 90 miles south of Jerusalem o Means “House of Bread”; child will be bread of life (Jn 6:35) o Hometown of King David and site of his coronation Firstborn: Jesus is “preeminent,” “supreme rank,” “rights of inheritance” Swaddling Clothes: Newborns wrapped with strips to prevent movement o Key: Jesus’ wrapped in bandages anticipates burial in tomb Manger: A feeding trough for animals o Isaiah 1:3: An ox knows its owner, and an ass, its master’s manger; but Israel does not know, my people has not understood o Ox symbolizes Israel (sacrificial animal) and ass Gentiles (stubborn) o Key: Jesus offers not straw, but his own body as life-giving bread No Room: Jesus prepares a room for us in His Father’s House (Jn 14:2-3), yet ironically, there is no room for Him in the inn Nativity Tomb Wrapped him in cloths strips Wrapped him in linen cloth Placed him in a manger Placed him in a rock-hewn tomb Because there was no place (in the inn) Where no one had been laid Luke Timothy Johnson, Sacred Pagina, 53 Key: Christmas and Calvary can never be separated. Even at the crib, the shadow of the cross is present. Christ came that we might have life (Jn. 10:10) Shepherds: Long line in OT - Abel (Gn. 4:2-4), Jacob (Gn. 31:3-13), Joseph (Gn. 37:2-9), Moses (Ex. 3:16), David (1 Sam. 16:11-13), and Amos (Amos 1:1) Angels: Give three important titles to Jesus and His mission Savior Jesus rescues mankind from sin (Mt. 1:21; Jn 4:40) Christ Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah (1:32-33; Jn. 1:49) Lord Jesus is enthroned at God’s right hand, where He rules (Acts 2:34-36) Scott Hahn, Ignatius Study Bible, 24. 1 Glory to God: The angels’ canticle is sung at Mass on Sundays and feast days Key: Shepherds (lowly) and angels (heavenly realm) bear witness to the child Purification Circumcised: Like John, Jesus is named at His circumcision (1:59-60) Purification: Birth of male child disqualifies an Israelite woman from touching a holy object or approaching the Temple for 40 days (Lev. 12:1-8); (ritual impurity) o Options: (1). Present a lamb for burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtle dove for a purification offering (Lev. 12:6); (2). If one could not afford a lamb, take two turtle doves or two pigeons (burnt & purification) (Lev. 12:8) o Key: Mary presents the offering of the poor; Jesus born among the poor Presentation Simeon: Represents the hopes and dreams of the faithful; looks for redemption Now Lord: Latin Nunc dimittis (Now dismiss) is lens to read entire gospel o Light for Gentiles; glory of Israel; cause many to rise/fall; contradiction Sword pierce: Mary has to live this prophecy every day, pondering what it meant Anna: Described as a prophetess; model of a truly devout person; home in Temple o Key: Simple souls can do so much good for the Lord if “at home” in Christ! Jesus in the Temple Luke alone records this episode of Jesus’ boyhood; years of silence on both sides o Luke’s infancy narrative (chaps. 1 & 2) begins and ends in the Temple Each Year: Mary and Joseph are again presented as faithful to the Law o Jews were expected to make three pilgrimages a year (Dt 16:16, Ex. 23:14-15) for Passover, Booths, and Pentecost Parents not know: Jews went in two groups: one of men and other of women After three days: The discovery of Jesus in the Temple prefigures Jesus’ Resurrection, when Christ will be absent in death, but found again (St. Ambrose) Ask questions: Later, Jesus will teach & ask questions in Temple (Lk. 19:45-20:8) Did not understand: Mary and Joseph did not understand, but continue to trust o Key: Times when we feel like we “lose” Jesus or do not understand Him Home in Nazareth Was obedient: Jesus’ life reveals beauty of building God’s kingdom in family life Kept in heart: Second time we hear about Mary’s reflective nature (Lk 1:29) Jesus advanced: Advanced in wisdom (mentally), age (physically), and favor before God (spiritually) and man (socially) (Thigpen, 36) o Key: In his first couple of chapters, Luke focuses on the lowly (Mary & Joseph, shepherds, Simeon & Anna) and on the quiet life of family Chapter 3: The quiet life will give way to John the Baptist’s preaching 2 .