The Biblical Mary-5

To what extent did Joseph and Mary truly know the life Jesus would lead once he matured into adulthood? It seems that they did not have complete knowledge and would have to slowly understand Him as He grew up before them. We now start when according to the Law, He was brought to the Temple to be circumcised.

Luek 2:21  And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 

2:22  And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 2:23  (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD"), 2:24  and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, "A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS." 

What can we learn from this passage? First, Joseph and Mary followed the Law in bringing Him to the Temple, offering a sacrifice, and having Him circumcised. The days of purification pertain to Mary only. What does the Law actually state?

Leviticus 12:6  'When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. 

12:7  'Then he shall offer it before the LORD and make atonement for her, and she shall be cleansed from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, whether a male or a female. 

12:8  'But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.'" 

It is Mary’s purification. The sacrifice is for a burnt offering and a sin offering. If Mary was indeed sinless, she would not have to offer a sin offering for her own atonement. The two birds signified a household that was poor and couldn’t provide a lamb. Although, He was and is the Lamb of GOD.

2:25  And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 2:26  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 

Simeon was waiting all his life for this very moment. He lived for it and was to be a gift to him before he died.

2:27  And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 2:28  then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 2:29  "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 2:30  For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 2:31  Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 2:32  A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel." 

GOD revealed to him that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. He would bring salvation to all who would believe in Him. Interesting, the people of Israel were not the only ones blessed by salvation as the Gentiles would also be offered this great salvation.

2:33  And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 2:34  And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 2:35  and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." 

Joseph and Mary received this important information together from Simeon. Jesus would divide the nation. Men’s hearts would be revealed to be godly or ungodly.

2:36  And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 2:37  and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 2:38  At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 

First, Anna gave thanks, which should be first on our list as well. Secondly, everyone needs redeeming or redemption. That is why Jesus came and only Jesus could offer this redemption. Mary could not.

2:39  When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.

Being obedient to the Law of the LORD is required of all of us who are truly saved/redeemed. Mary was not exempted from giving thanks, obeying the Law, or letting GOD use her for His glory.

More next Saturday.