22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
In verses 22-24, Jesus’ parents dedicated their firstborn to the Lord (Ex 13:1-2). Mary presented herself for purification (Lev 12:1-5). These ceremonies were separate events. The parents followed the Mosaic law in this regard.
2:22
Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed,
Jesus’ parents followed the law of Moses during the days of purification. This purification involved (1) Mary’s purification (Lev 12:6-8), (2) a presentation of the firstborn to the Lord, and (3) the dedication of the firstborn son (1 Sam 1:11, 22, 28). The law required them to present their firstborn to God (Ex 13:2, 12).
Ritual uncleanness is not the same as sinfulness. Mary was ritually unclean because she bore a child and was not pronounced clean from blood contamination for 33 days (Lev 12:4-5).
they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to Jerusalem from Bethlehem to present Him to the Lord.
2:23
(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
The law of the firstborn requires the parents to set apart their firstborn son to God; the parents dedicated him to the Lord by doing this (Ex 13:1-2, 12). A child “called holy” is a baby set apart unto God.
2:24
and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Forty days after the firstborn son was born, the mother was to present him to the Lord by offering a “sacrifice” (Lev 12:6-8). Poor parents offered turtledoves or pigeons as a sacrifice (Lev 12:6-13).
PRINCIPLE:
Christ’s work of salvation fulfilled the law of Moses.
APPLICATION:
There is continuity between the age of the law and the age of grace. Joseph and Mary presented Jesus in the temple according to the law of Moses. Jesus came to “fulfill” the law. He met all the requirements of the law by His life and death on the cross. He kept the law in every respect on our behalf. We do not have the capacity to fulfill the law, but Jesus did that on our behalf (Gal 4:4,5).
