Scripture to Read: Luke 2:22-24
We have to look at the Mosaic Law to understand Luke 2:22-24. When a Jewish woman had a baby, she was considered ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 12:2). According to Leviticus 12:2-4, if the parents had a male child, they were to circumcise their son on the eighth day after his birth. This covenant was set forth by God, with Abraham, in Genesis 17:12. The mother of the male child was considered unclean for 33 days following her son’s circumcision. On the fortieth day, after her son’s birth, the mother was to present a burnt offering as well as a sin offering to the priest. The sin offering would make atonement for her, and she’d be ceremonially cleansed (Leviticus 12:6-7). Why was every firstborn male to be called holy before the Lord (Luke 2:23)? The answer is in Exodus 13:1-2. Dedicating the firstborn son reminded the Jews that God had spared the firstborn Israelites at Passover, in Egypt, when He delivered them from slavery. God had chosen the Levites for His priesthood (Numbers 3:12). Therefore the firstborn of other tribes was not required to serve as
priests, but their parents were to pay five shekels to the priest (Numbers 3:13; 8:17-19; 18:15-16). In Luke 2, we see no mention of this five shekel payment, because Jesus was dedicated to God’s service. Mary alluded to this in Luke 1:46-55. Mary and Joseph recognized Jesus as the Messiah and dedicated Him to God the Father’s service.
Challenge & Application
What did you learn that you did not know before about what’s recorded in Luke 2:22-24? When you think about what you learned today for the Jews to be in right fellowship with God, what do you see that’s different for us today as Christians?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!