11. Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple
– Luke 2:21-40
Luke 2:21 “On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.”
Genesis 17:10:14 “This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner – those who are not your offspring. Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he had broken my covenant.”
In Jewish tradition, on the eighth day boys would be named and circumcised. The circumcision was a sign that the Jewish people were chosen by God to be separate from the Gentiles. God promised through this covenant that God would be the God of Abraham’s descendants. God would make them fruitful and raise up kings from them. The actual act of circumcision was a sign of obedience and dedication to God.
Luke 2:22-24 “When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord’), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Exodus 13:2 “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether man or animal.”
Leviticus 12:8 “If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering.”
The next step in Jewish tradition was to present the firstborn son to God one month after his birth. This tradition reminded the Jewish people of when God spared the Israelites firstborn sons and delivered them out of slavery in Egypt. The ceremony included buying back the child from God through a sacrifice. It showed that the child belonged to God who has the power to bring life. It also prepared the Jewish people for when Jesus would buy us back by paying the price for our sins. The third step was the purification of the mother. A mother would have to wait 40 days after a son’s birth and 80 days after a daughter’s birth to bring the sacrifices to God. In the case of Jesus, Mary and Joseph had to use a pair of doves or two young pigeons because they could not afford a lamb. Even though Jesus was God’s son, Mary and Joseph still carried out all of the Jewish ceremonies. Jesus was not born above the law; instead, he fulfilled it perfectly.
Luke 2:30-32 “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
Isaiah 49:6 “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Jesus came to save all of us. Many though that Jesus came to save only his people. However, his salvation is for anyone who believes. Simeon recognized Jesus and prophesized that he would redeem the world. Once again, another person pointed out Jesus’ future to Mary. It startled her but it also helped to reassure her that what the angel had said was true.
Luke 2:34-35 “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
When Jesus came to the earth people either joyfully accepted him or rejected him. Even when we tell others about Christ today, people may reject him. God loves us so much that he gives us freewill. He wants us to choose to accept and love him back. When doing God’s work it isn’t always easy. Even Mary, the mother of God’s son, went through so much hardship that her soul was pierced. Mary grieved the widespread rejection that Jesus and her family faced. God never said that it would be easy to follow his plans but he does promise to help us. God comforted Mary when she was upset and he will be there for you and me when we need him too.
Luke 2:40 “And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.”
Jesus had a human life. When he was a child he grew and became stronger. Jesus was full of God’s wisdom even at an early age. Although he was a child, he still remained God’s son. He had God’s grace with everything that he did. Even as a child, Jesus lived a sinless and holy life. He always stayed true to his character.
