Luke 2:21-24
Suggested further reading: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Our Lord, as an infant, obeyed the Jewish law and was circumcised eight days after birth. This was His public testimony to Israel that He was a Jew and was committed to obeying the law. Without it He could never have fulfilled the law’s requirements, could not be recognized as the son of David and the seed of Abraham, could not be a teacher in Israel, nor have a place in a Jewish assembly and no right to any Jewish ordinance, and would have been regarded by all as an uncircumcised Gentile and an apostate.
Our Lord’s submission to circumcision was not for Himself but for us. Let this be a lesson to us! Let us endure much rather than increase any offense against the gospel or hinder in any way the work of God. Paul walked very closely in the footsteps of his Master and his words deserve pondering (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
Our Lord was called “Jesus” by God’s special command. The Son of God could have chosen from a number of glorious titles: King, the Lawgiver, the Prophet, the Priest, the Judge of all. Instead, He selects a name which speaks of mercy, grace, help, and deliverance for a lost world. He desires to be known as our Deliverer and Redeemer! How do we recognize Him? As the Son of God? As a mere human, Jesus? As our Savior and Lord? Have we called Him our Deliverer from the guilt and power of sin and our Redeemer from Satan’s bondage?
The offering given was that of a poor man and woman. Poverty was our Lord’s portion from the days of his earliest infancy. Let the poor believer remember that his mighty Mediator in heaven is accustomed to poverty and is the true poor man’s Friend.
Lanny Tanton is the Pastor at The Bible Church of the Lakes in Horseshoe Bay, Texas – just outside of Marble Falls. Pastor Tanton welcomes you to our website and hopes that you’ll enjoy reading these insightful blog posts. Please contact us if you have further questions!!
