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JESUS, KEEPER OF THE LAW
FRIDAY, APRIL 11
Luke 2:21-24

Leviticus 12

 

“For the promise is unto you,

and to your children…”

 

JESUS, KEEPER OF THE LAW
 
Why must Jesus be circumcised? He was circumcised not just because He was Jewish (Gen 17:10; Lev 12:3), but more importantly because He had to keep the Law in every aspect for our salvation. Calvin commented, “God appointed that his Son should be circumcised, in order to subject him to the law; for circumcision was a solemn rite, by which the Jews were initiated into the observance of the law. Paul explains the design, when he says, that Christ was ‘made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law’ (Gal 4:4-5). By undergoing circumcision, Christ acknowledged himself to be the slave of the law, that he might procure our freedom.”
 
The name “JESUS” means “Saviour.” True to His name, the Lord Jesus even as an infant worked for our salvation right from the start. Christ’s circumcision was not the first and only instance of His obedience to the Law. The Lord’s keeping of the Law can also be seen in His participation of the following rituals though as an infant:
 
1. Mary’s rite of purification (Lev 12:1-8), and
2. the dedication of the first-born (Num 3:13).
 
It is important to understand that these ceremonies involved not just the individual, but also the family by virtue of the Law’s covenantal nature (Deut 6:1-3).
 
Although Mary alone went through the purification, Jesus had to participate in that ritual because Mary’s purification was required on account of His birth. This must not be taken to mean that Jesus had to be cleansed from sin as well. Jesus had no sin. He went through the purification in identification with sinners since He was going to be their Representative as their Guilt-Bearer. Jesus is our Fountain of purity and life.
 
THOUGHT: It is not the circumcision of the flesh, but of the heart, that saves.

PRAYER: Search me, O Father, and know my heart today.

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