THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 2:21-24
“The purification rites required by the Law of Moses.” (Luke 2:22)
So how do we feel forgiven, how do we become certain of God’s love?
When you feel dirty, do you perform certain cleansing acts?
In those times, do you feel God’s love, or do you feel condemnation?
The rituals in Moses Law did not DO anything they just reminded.
The purification rites then (or baptism today) did not purify anyone.
They pointed to the impossibility of getting clean, and our need for help.
Jesus was purified and baptized as a Jew, but He did not need them.
Jesus was without sin; He remained clean when when Satan tempted Him.
God looked at Him (after baptism) and affirmed His favour and love.
“Born under the law, to redeem those under the law.” (Galatians 4:5)
Through Jesus, God sees us as forgiven, free and restored to life!
Jesus, not baptism or cleansing rituals, assure us of God’s love.
Our challenge is to believe it, to embrace it, and to enjoy it as truth.
Today I am encouraged to celebrate my new identity, without the need for rituals.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to enjoy Your forgiveness, freedom and full life which are mine to receive and enjoy without duty or obligation.
What is in a name?
Even today, when a baby is born the parents have thought long and hard over the child’s name.
Mary named the child on the eighth day according to the custom. She named Him Jesus, the name the angel had given. And that name signifies His mission. Jesus means the Lord saves. It is the Lord God who can forgive the people from their sins. None other. And we continue to work and pray in that name also today for it is only in Him we have life and life eternal.
At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow,
every tongue confess him King of glory now;
’tis the Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning was the mighty Word.
2 At his voice creation sprang at once to sight:
all the angel faces, all the hosts of light,
thrones and dominations, stars upon their way,
all the heavenly orders in their great array.
3 Humbled for a season, to receive a name
from the lips of sinners, unto whom he came;
faithfully he bore it spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious when from death he passed;
4 bore it up triumphant, with its human light,
through all ranks of creatures, to the central height,
to the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast,
filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.
5 In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue
all that is not holy, all that is not true.
Look to him, your Savior, in temptations’ hour;
let his will enfold you in its light and power.
6 Christians, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
with his Father’s glory o’er the earth to reign;
for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow,
and our hearts confess him King of glory now.