Devotions

Rev Gav

Purification

Luke 2.22-24

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord." So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Reflect

Human beings like ceremonies and rituals — formal parties or actions that celebrate significant moments in our lives — such as births, deaths, new relationships, and new beginnings. We gather together and say specially prepared words, make special movements, or do special things to mark the occasion.

After the birth of Jesus his parents, Joseph and Mary, obeyed the Jewish religious law by performing three rituals all in one go:

1. The purification ritual for a woman forty days after childbirth.
2. The presentation of the firstborn child to God.
3. The dedication of the firstborn into the service of the Lord.

The trio travelled from Nazareth to the temple in Jerusalem to complete the ceremony and when they got there they bought a pair of doves and made an offering of them. It might seem strange to us today that people would do this, but it shows that Jesus’ parents were serious about their religion and wanted to be obedient to God.

In the Christian faith, unlike Mary and Joseph were back then, we are not living under a religious law. We do not have to participate in such religious ceremonies, however, we can find them helpful. Like Mary and Joseph, it is not the format or the style, but the heart of those participating that is the most important thing, and Joseph’s and Mary’s hearts were in the right place.

Private or public rituals and ceremonies demonstrate that we are serious about our relationship with God. Do you have a special place you like to go? It could be a room in your house, or somewhere outdoors — a park or beach. This week, plan to make a secret journey there and when you get there, pray or say some special words.

What kind of things do Christians do today to show that they’re serious about their religion and want to be obedient to God?

Pray

Holy God
Help me find something in my week
that will demonstrate that I'm serious about you.
I want to show you that I love you
and have put you first in my life.
This day and for ever.

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