When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,… (Lk 2:22-35)
Joseph, Mary and Jesus lived their lives according to the cultural, social, and religious requirements of their times. Though Joseph and Mary were aware that Jesus was different and had a specific mission and both of them were told in vision and dreams that he was the son of God yet they followed the traditions of the times. They fulfilled the demands.
The demands and the requirements were anything evil or negative. These demands made them live their lives as Jews and as chosen people of God. Every child that was born and especially the first born male child belonged to God. This child had to be offered to God and then redeemed back by offerings the equivalents as prescribed. Jesus was also for fulfilling the laws but objected to only those which took away the human elements in their practices.
Simeon’s prophecy was again a fulfillment of the promise of God. God had promised a savior and the people were expecting him at anytime. It was through revelation that he realized that this was the child who would later become the messiah: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.
