“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.” Luke 2.22-24
Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews who diligently obeyed the Laws of Moses in every aspect of their lives. This is first evident in their trip to Bethlehem for the census, returning to their tribe’s ancestral home, as Joseph was a descendant of David from the tribe of Judah. Then, we see their obedience in having Jesus circumcised on the eighth day. Later, they took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem for the purification rites “required by the Law of Moses,” presenting him to the Lord.
Exodus 13:1-2 states, “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal.’” Similarly, in verse 12, “You are to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the Lord.” Thus, Jesus, as the firstborn male, was consecrated, dedicated, and given to the Lord. According to Moses, all firstborn males belong to the Lord.
Jesus was no exception; he was the perfect example. He, who would become a sacrificial lamb, became the ultimate sacrifice, wholly belonging to the Lord. His entire mission on earth was to redeem humanity to God. While obedience to the Old Testament laws is commendable, it is not necessary for salvation.
We are on vacation and observing the Orthodox Jews at the same resort. On Friday, they prepared for the Sabbath, and today at breakfast, they followed the kosher dietary laws required by the Law of Moses. However, as Galatians 2:16 tells us, “Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” These Jews, though good people and “God’s people,” reject Jesus as the Messiah and thus operate under the old covenant. They believe they are made right by their actions, but we believe we are made right by the new covenant—through what Jesus accomplished for humanity on the cross.
Jesus not only fulfilled many of these ritualistic practices, rendering them unnecessary, but also secured our redemption through the price of his blood. The Mosaic Laws are not inherently bad, but they are not necessary for our well-being, faith, or redemption. Jesus came to fulfill the Law, thereby freeing us from its bondage, requirements, and regulations.
Are you still working your way to heaven? Trust Jesus. Place your faith in him and be justified by it, not by your works.
“O Lord God, you are good. On this holy Sunday, I place my hope in you. I celebrate the resurrected Christ who paid the penalty for my sins. I love you, Lord, and praise your name. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I might obey you out of love, not out of obligation. For you are good, and your love endures forever.” Amen.