Scripture: Luke 2:22-24
When the time came for their ritual cleansing, in accordance with the Law from Moses, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (It’s written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord.”) They offered a sacrifice in keeping with what’s stated in the Law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Thought for the Day: Once again, Mary and Joseph are faithful to the tradition of Judaism. According to Leviticus 12, a woman is impure for 40 days after the birth of a male child (80 after the birth of a female child). From our modern day perspective, there is some room for discussion around the whole issue of purification and definitely in regard to the difference between male and female, but that can wait until another day. What I find interesting is what is not recorded in Luke. According to Numbers 3, every first born child belongs to God, and so parents were required to make a redemption payment of five shekels to the priest as a symbolic way of reclaiming their child. This may not have been included in Luke’s Gospel because tradition had changed, but it might have been Luke’s way of suggesting that this unique first born child belonged to God and would remain fully connected to God. Or maybe it was Luke’s way of saying this child who came to redeem the world did not need redemption himself. Whatever the case, I imagine Luke included and excluded information for very specific reasons.
Prayer: Continue to find ways of telling us your story of redemption, Lord God. Speak to us with words or even when you choose to remain silent. Whatever the case, we pray for discernment that we might notice and understand. Amen.
BIG SUNDAY
Single Service Sunday – 10:30am
Camel Walk – 10:00am
(from Meyer Park)
