Luke 2:21-24

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. 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 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 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.”

Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day and given the name Jesus. Thirty-three days later baby Jesus was brought back to the temple for Mary's cleansing, for Jewish women were considered unclean after giving birth. Mary goes through the purification process by offering up two doves or two pigeons for her cleansing, which is an offering given by poor people. At the same time of the purification ceremony, the firstborn son is offered to God and then purchased back by paying five shekels for his redemption. All firstborn of clean animals according to the Old Testament Law were to be sacrificed, indicating the first fruit of all endeavors belonged to God.

Jesus, the first and only Son of God, who was with God from the beginning, was sacrificed for our sins. No five shekels could deliver him from the altar of sacrifice. He would pay the full price for everyone's sins on a cross. His sacrifice would cleanse all of mankind. All that men would have to do is identify with that sacrifice by placing their trust in Jesus' works and not their own, in his righteousness and not their own. The first born of all life was placed on the cross; through him everything that is has its origin. In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:1-3)

God placed everything on the cross when He placed Jesus there. But from Jesus' death on the cross came redemption, new life, that which is impervious to sin, for that new life is found only in the holy Jesus. We who are Christians are right now experiencing new life, for our old man died with Jesus Christ vicariously and rose with him in reality. We are now cleansed from all unrighteousness, and we are now acceptable receptacles of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God will not reside in an unclean container; therefore, Jesus' blood has cleansed us and is forever cleansing us. He makes us clean, not our actions. Should the outside of the container stay dirty, sinful? No, we should clean up our lives the best we can through his power at work in us because we are ambassadors of Christ's love. But the spiritual work of cleansing has been accomplished at the cross, and it is a finished work. That is the gift of God to all people who will put their trust and faith in Jesus Christ, his Son, the first fruit of all that has ever been created. Accept his free gift today.