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. (Luke 2:22)
Another sign of the Jewish-ness of Jesus in Luke’s story (2:22 and following) was the presentation of the purification offering, as prescribed in the law of Moses. References in Exodus 13, Leviticus 12 and Numbers 18 provide background information.
After the birth of the male child, the mother was unclean for 7 days and then stayed at home for 33 more. On the 40th day, she presented this offering for purification. Also, a first born child had to be redeemed. The payment was five shekels at the age of one month. These ceremonies—the purification and the redemption—did not have to be at the same time, but in the case of Jesus and his parents, they were carried out together. Joseph presented the “pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons”, which was the list of cheaper offerings permitted for poor people.
Foreshadowing is woven throughout the Advent story, notably before his birth (including his naming and his reigning), and we should not be surprised it is found even in these early days of his life. It is not coincidental that his purification ceremony took place in the Temple; 30 years later he would show righteous indignation in the same place at the impurity demonstrated by the merchants who tried to hijack God’s work in His holy place. And the redemption ceremony performed for him as the first born indeed was something which looked ahead to the carrying out of his stated purpose of redemption (see Mark 10:45).
Strangers to Mary and Joseph, such as Anna and Simeon, were also present at these Temple events. Their anointed, spontaneous interactions with the parents were additional signs that God had done something unusually special through the birth of this child. These Jewish ceremonies launching the life of the baby Jesus provided a context and platform for God to speak still further into the life of his parents that this baby was not just different, but he indeed was the promised Messiah.
“Father, thank you for the demonstration by Jesus’ parents of following your law and ceremonies regarding the birth of their son. As they set apart their son for you, they did not refrain from following your way. For those of us who are parents, may we follow the ways you have prescribed for our children.”
Freddy Boswell 