21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 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.”
Joseph and Mary show complete obedience to God here in these verses. They adhere strictly to the Law of Moses by circumcising baby Jesus, presenting him to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice in accordance with the law. One of the commentaries I read mentioned that the two young pigeons was an offering of the poor because the law asked for a lamb and a dove or pigeons. However, if you were poor you could offer two doves or two pigeons.
I think we can learn a lot from the actions of Joseph and Mary here. They obeyed God's word, they did not make any excuses regarding their own personal situations or circumstances and obeyed. They offered all that they could to God.
Here we are at the eve of Christmas when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Just as Joseph and Mary obeyed God's words and laws I pray that we would be able to hear God, know his word so that we could strive to live a life of obedience so that we may be used by God in a mighty way. Merry Christmas ladies!
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2 comments:
thanks for your reflection christine. michelle mentioned how much she was struck by the theme of humility that runs throughout the gospel narrative of luke and i have to agree.joseph and mary's humility and righteous fear before the Lord was exemplied in their obedience to this particular law, which as you point out, they might have made legitimate excuse not to fulfill. i suppose obedience not only in the little things, but especially in the little things, is the test of true faith and the way we can "walk humbly with our God this christmas season.
i was reminded by these verses that as parents we are privileged to have them for just a little while. they come with their own calling and as we see them in circumstances we cannot control... we "give" them up to the Lord daily.
thank you for your thoughts
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