Redemption

I'm still studying the life of Christ....very slowly (Beth Moore study, "Jesus the One and Only). Last night and this morning I have learned some incredible things about my Savior. I am learning about the rites that Jewish parents observed after having a firstborn son and they included circumcision, redemption and purification. Mary and Joseph followed each step exactly as any devout Jewish parents would. Luke 2:22-24 Mary and Joseph were to take their son and present Him to the Lord. This act was to symbolize them giving their firstborn son back to the Lord (vs. 23). Interestingly, right after this they would "redeem him, or buy him back." I am so thankful today that my parents did not have to buy me back from the Lord, but that the Lord bought me...by the shedding of His only Son's blood! Christ has bought me from myself, my sinful flesh. The Hebrew word for redemption is "padhah," and mean to redeem by paying a price.....that He did!

"In HIm, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace..." ~Ephesians 1:7

Now something neat about the rite of purification...

Leviticus 12:8 says that is the parents cannot afford to bring a year old lamb for a burnt offering, they should bring two turtledoves or two pigeons. Well, we can gather that Mary and Joseph were not the wealthiest people because when we read Luke 2:24 we see that they could not afford the lamb and brought a pair of turtle doves or pigeons instead.

How interesting that Christ's parents "offered the least sacrifice permitted by Jewish law for the rite of purification." I love that! Another way for Him to show His power and His glory! Humans couldn't measure up, couldn't have enough wealth, wisdom and we certainly can't be "good enough!" We need a Savior to save us from ourselves....Jesus Christ!