Under Jewish law, a newborn is officially given a name on the 8th day (Luke 2:21). If the child is male, he has to be circumcised (Leviticus 12:3).
Jesus’ mother, Mary, was purified as required by the Law (Luke 2:22). A new mother of a son was considered unclean for 7 days and had to wait for another 33 days before she could enter the temple. The Law required a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering. The poor could substitute a dove or young pigeon for the lamb (Leviticus 12:2-8). Mary offered the sacrifice of the poor (Luke 2:24). The Messiah was born a poor man’s son.
The Law also required that Joseph and Mary dedicate Jesus to the Lord in the temple because Jesus was their firstborn son (Exodus 13:2; Luke 2:22-23).
For Joseph and Mary, the past 11 months had been the most amazing time of their lives. Angels visited them. They experienced the miraculous birth of Jesus. Yet despite all these amazing and miraculous events, we see them living in humble and complete obedience to the Law. Luke highlights their obedience to God’s commands in Luke 2:22-24,39.
What’s important in your life is not the extraordinary experiences you may have. Joseph and Mary remind us that the key component of the life of the believer in Jesus is obedience to God’s Word.
Spring has brought it’s rain but the resurrection is near. Honor our Lord today in Jackson County by obeying Him to the best of your abilities.
Michael