Breaking the Word

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,  just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord," and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.  He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,  he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;  and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." (Lk 2;22-35)

The parents took the child to the temple according to the Law of Moses. "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord," Parents were good observant of the Law of Moses. Not only that, but also they considered him like any other child. They parents knew that this child was different. (They were informed about the child in the dreams). The parents did not seek after specials laws or sideline the laws. They observed them to the details.

The parents were not the only people who were informed about the birth of the child; there were also others and one of them was Simeon. He was a righteous man and he was expecting the arrival of the messiah. Those who were waiting of the coming of the Lord were informed (and that is why Herod was not informed and Herod could not believe even the scriptures) and even the Magi were informed because they were seekers of God.

Those who were expecting the arrival of the Lord found in his birth the fulfillment of the scriptures. Simeon prophesied saying what the child would be and what would happen to the mother because of the birth of the child. Yes those who await the Lord are informed of the mission of the lord  and they also see the fulfillment of the scriptures.

When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.  He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son." When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: "A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more."  (Mt 2;13-18 )

A new born baby poses a threat to the most power man in the country. The powerful man makes use of his power to destroy the future of the society. Massacre is not in numbers (it also) babies killed rather the whole future, a generation is destroyed. A paranoid man will do the same. He will not accept the reality and he also will not face the challenge posed by the situation rather he will destroy the future.

Matthew quotes the Old Testament in three places in this passage. He quotes Jeremiah 31:15 ("A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more." ) This is all about God’s renewal of the covenant. It is about bringing Israel back from exile at last. Though Israel must weep and mourn, rescue is on the way. This is about Jesus bringing deliverance.

His coming out of Egypt is also given as a model and based on a model of Exodus. He himself experiences deliverance and he actuates deliverance. One should experience what he wants to give to the other.