Luke 2:21-24

Luke 2:21-24

And when the eight days to circumcise Him were being completed and His name was being called Jesus, that which He was being called by the angel before He was being conceived in the womb.  And when the days of their ritual cleansing were being completed according to the Law of Moses, they led Him into Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord – just as it has been written in the Law of the Lord that “every male, while opening the womb, will be called holy to the Lord” – and to give sacrifices according to that which has been said in the Law of the Lord: a pair of doves or two young pigeons.  

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

These verses continue to show us the pattern of obedience in the parents of Jesus.  According to Jewish Law, the act of circumcision was to occur on the eighth day.  When the time is right, Jesus’ parents have Jesus circumcised.

Are you surprised that the theme of obedience is so present in the Gospel of Luke?  Are you attuned to how much obedience is present in your life?

Second Thought:

Then, they officially give Him a name.  When Jesus is named, Jesus’ parents listen to the words of the angel.  God’s messenger specifically told Mary that His name was to be Jesus.  That message from God is heard and obeyed.  Perhaps as equally significant is that it was remembered in the first place!  This shows that God’s Word had memorable impact upon Mary.  This gives us the rationale for the obedience of Jesus’ parents.  They are obedient because God and His will has meaning in their lives.

Does God have meaning in your life?  How can you see this fact?

Third Thought:

The law of sacrifice for a woman who has given birth to their first son can be found in Leviticus 12:8.  There is something in the law that is implied in Luke’s story but not stated outright.  The ordinary sacrifice was a lamb.  But a family who was too poor to afford a lamb could offer the doves instead.  This is another hint that we get to Lue about the character and nature of God.  God didn’t send His Son into the lap of luxury.  He didn’t give His Son a golden spoon on a golden platter.  He certainly could have, after all.  He is God.  So what does this tell us?  We can gleam two messages. 

1. God understand the life of the poor.  God understands what it means to scrape by.  God understands what it means to not be certain of one’s ability to provide for themselves in the future.
2. Satisfaction doesn’t come from material things.  Jesus came to earth and was satisfied in doing the will of the Father.  Jesus was satisfied in living up to His calling.  Jesus didn’t need the trappings of the world to be satisfied.

From where does your satisfaction come?  How much time do you spend trying to alter your level of financial self-sufficiency?  Why is this an important consideration?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 2:25-32