Persistent Obedience

Luke 2:21-24 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. 22 When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, 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.” 
 
WHY take pigeons to the temple? It was because God’s law commanded this. It was a part of the circumcision ceremony for the child and purification rites for the new mother. Leviticus 12:3-5 And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4 Then she shall continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purifying… And when the days of her purifying are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting (now the temple) a lamb a year old for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering…8 And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.  
   This is God’s law that is founded on God’s covenant to Abraham to raise up a nation that would bless the world. Circumcision for the male was a mark of his parent’s commitment to raise him in God’s law. Mary and Joseph took the pigeons to the temple because their lives were based on this core value: Obey God’s commands. Live into his promise for the world.
    This obedient couple lived this most basic life value. There were no angels with trumpets announcing the Savior coming into town. No heavenly music chorused the sky; the shepherds and their friends were not parading joyfully through town. 
   The One who would make this sacrifice law obsolete came to Jerusalem that day in the arms of his earthly parents. Joseph and Mary persistently obeyed God’s commands. This is worship. This is righteousness. Matthew says, “And her husband Joseph was a righteous man.” (1:19)
   Perhaps Joseph is the most forgotten man in the Christmas story. Yet we know his role is essential in God’s plan. His righteousness – obedience to God’s commands – was a vital element in Jesus’ birth to a virgin. Just as God’s favor was on Mary to choose her, God’s favor was on Joseph to choose him for this incomparable role. In each step of his relationship with a pregnant, betrothed woman, Joseph obeyed the Lord’s commands. And he would do so after Jesus’ birth to protect the Savior.
   Joseph is a man of God. He is a wonderful example of how to be such a man to your wife, children and church. Joseph and Mary also present to us a true discipleship example on how live together under God’s laws.
   Be righteous. Be willing to receive God’s words and live them to his glory. Be a testimony of faith for the generations of your family.            
Prayer: May my offerings, Father, be offerings of worship to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.