The Presentation of Christ in the Temple

THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE
Artist: Jen Norto (USA, Contemporary)
Interpreter: Nancy Cason

We know very little about Jesus’ childhood, but the Gospel of Luke provides a detailed account of his birth – complete with angelic messengers who proclaim to the shepherds in Bethlehem that the infant Jesus is, in fact, the long-awaited Messiah. Scripture says, “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child” (Luke 2:17, NIV).

Forty days after Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary took him to the temple in Jerusalem to consecrate their firstborn son to the Lord, in accordance with Mosaic law (see Luke 2:22-40), and again, Luke provides witnesses who attest to Jesus’ divinity. In our cover artwork, artist Jen Norton has envisioned this moment in a dynamic arrangement of six figures.

In the upper half of the painting, the infant Jesus is encircled by Joseph, Mary and the rabbi, whose striped robes form a pattern of blue and white rays uniting the figures. As Mary holds up her child, all three lift their eyes and hands to the Lord. In the foreground below are two more people who were at the temple that day, described by Luke as devout Jews who had been waiting attentively for the Promised One. Simeon, who had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before he died, lifts his hands in praise and thanksgiving, while the elderly prophetess Anna looks directly at us. Like the shepherds, she is telling us all that this Jesus is the Saviour who will fulfil God’s redemptive plan for his people.

Are you, too, looking for the Saviour? How might you respond to his presence in your life?

Cover art courtesy of Jen Norton. ©Jen Norton.
Prints of cover art are available from www.jennortonartstudio.com