Week 3, Day 18 - Jesus: Redeemed or Redeemer?

"Joseph and Mary took Jesus 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')." Luke 2: 22-23

REFLECT

It took a lot of effort for Mary and Joseph to take their newborn son all the way to Jerusalem to fulfill their obligation to consecrate him, according to the Law of Moses. The rocky, dusty roads were well worn from the frequent traffic of people and animals from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. Up and down white, rocky hills and then over the last crest, the edge of the city and spectacular sight of the majestic Temple came into view. They may even have come over the hill down the Mount of Olives where Jesus, three decades later, would enter the city for the last time in his short life. On this day, their sacrifice would be a pair of doves or pigeons.

The courtyard around the Temple would have been bustling with people coming and going while doing their business. An ordinary man and woman with their baby would not have been noticed. But an old man named Simeon, who knew God's salvation was just around the corner, had a supernatural message from God that this baby in those parents' arms was the One who was to come. Taking Jesus in his own arms, he said, "My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

With the sacrifice offered, Mary and Joseph left, relieved that their first-born son was redeemed. Yet they did not yet comprehend that they held in their arms the true Redemption, the true sacrifice, for them and for everyone else.

That begs the question: What about us? When we consider Jesus, are we able to say: "My eyes have seen your salvation?" We are not just looking at the infant Jesus as Simeon was. We see Christ in the fullness of his life, influencing, loving, dying, being raised to life. Beloved redemption is not a theory. Redemption came, in the flesh. The gift of eternal life needs only your acceptance.

MAKE IT REAL

Think of a time when someone sacrificed for you. Maybe it was a parent, a teacher, a pastor, or a friend. Take some time today to let that person know that you appreciate the sacrifice they made for you. In the same way, give thanks to God for emptying heaven for us in the giving of Jesus, the Son of God. Embrace the Gift!

Day 19