The Father’s Forerunner

This coming Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22-39). There are many things about this account that cause biblical scholars to ponder the question “Why?”

• Why does Luke say, “When the days were completed for their purification” when the Levitical Law required only a purification of the new mother?
• Why did the presentation of Jesus happen at the Temple when this was not required by Levitical Law?
• Why does Luke omit the giving of the Redemption Price (Redeemer of the Redeemer?)

As well as other questions. 

Today, I want to point out a question that I raise is found in verse 33, “The child’s father and mother...”. A literal translation of the Greek (and the Latin) is “The father of the child and the mother...” Why does Luke refer only to Joe in relation to Jesus here? Why not both parents when almost everywhere else the Gospel writers refer to Mary in direct relation to Jesus and not Joe? 

In fact, I think the reason lies in the only other time when Joe and Mary are mentioned together but only Joe is referred to directly to Jesus, which incidentally also happens in the Temple. Mary asked Jesus 12 years after this: “Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” (Luke 2:48).

Joe is mentioned in direct relationship to Jesus in these two places because they both point to the revelation that soon follows: while many may think that Joe is Jesus’ Father, there is Another who is. As Joe marvels at what is said of Jesus’s coming works of salvation, the Father is the Author of these works. As Joe seeks out Jesus and finds Him in the Temple, the Father who is always with Jesus. 

Joe’s purpose is not to replace Jesus’ Heavenly Father. His purpose is to point out His Heavenly Father. In a way as John the Baptist was the Forerunner to Jesus, Joe is the Forerunner to the Father, preparing the way for Him to be revealed to us. Like John, Joe would proclaim without the least hesitation, “One is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.” (John 1:30).