Morning Moments

I. The Circumcision of Jesus Lk 2:21

2:21. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

A. The Age - "eight days"

This was in keeping with the command of God in Gen 17:12; 21:4; and Lev 12:3.

B. The Act - "circumcising"

We have since learned that the blood coagulates faster on the eighth day that any other day of life.

C. The Angel - "named of the angel before"

As pious Jews Joseph and Mary were obedient to the revelation they had received from God regarding the name of the child - JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins.

II. The Purification of Mary Lk 2:22-24

Purification took place on the fortieth day after the birth in the case of males, and eighty days in the case of females (Lev 12:1-5). Until it was performed the mother was not allowed to go to temple, take part in any public service, or even leave home. Apparently the same was the case with anyone who came in contact with her. Because Pharaoh had sought the death of the first born of Israel, God had declared that the first born of Israel belonged to Him (Ex 12:29-30; 13:2). The male child of each family had to be redeemed with money. "Though He was rich He became poor for our sakes, that we through Him might become rich toward God".

Luk 2:22. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23. (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24. And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

A. The Satisfaction of the Law

The law required that the mother needed purification from the legal uncleanness of childbearing. Neither mother nor child was considered as under Divine protection or in the Lord's covenant until this was done. Normally the firstborn had to be redeemed at the price of five sanctuary shekels (Num 18:16), and according to Lev 12 his parents had to come to the temple for purification rites. This child had no sin from which to be redeemed, but was the Redeemer of the sins of the world. Nevertheless He was "made under the law to redeem them that were under the law..."

Purification was required after birth because it was "bodily emission" which made any Jew unclean. The offering was made to the priest in the following order:

The offering was given to the priest
A Benediction was pronounced
The offering of the redemption price was made
The final benediction was offered

Mary, however, HAD to go through the purification which meant that in addition to satisfying the law, she had to bring a sacrifice to the Lord.

B. The Sacrifice to the Lord

Because she was still under the law she was required to offer sacrifice according to her ability, so her gifts to God demonstrated two extremes, heavenly and earthly. Let's first consider the heavenly. She offered to God the Gift God offered to her - His Son, the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth. She was the most highly favored among women to have been the one to carry for nine months the only child to ever be conceived without sin for the specific purpose of being the Savior of the world. What a Gift! But then there was the early gift which shows the other extreme. It shows how poor they were of earthly possessions. A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons would be the cheapest purification offering one could make. One bird was for a sin offering and the others for a burnt offering (Lev 12:6-8).

Any bodily emission made a Jewish person unclean ceremonially, so the birth of the baby was something that had to be dealt with by sacrifice.

III. The Worship of Simeon and Anna​​ Lk 2:25-39

A. The Presentation​​ “as it is written”

The law had required that every first born male child should be counted set apart for the Lord.”  Purification took place on the fortieth day after the nativity in the case of males, and eight days in the case of females (Lev 12:1-5)  Until it was performed the mother was not permitted to go to the temple, take part in any public service, or even to leave her house.

B. The Promise​​​ “till he had seen”
Can you imagine the intensity of this moment.  The very thing all the prophets had prophesied being fulfilled before your very eyes, after all that time.  What God promises, He will perform.

C. The Puzzle​​​ “marveled”

These words caused Mary and Joseph to see the truth in a new way.  They were obviously amazed at the way God kept confirming and affirming what He had done for them…and for the nation…and for the world.

D. The Prophecy​​​ “behold…revealed”

Jesus is the cornerstone that the builders rejected.  Those who reject Him fall over Him and are broken;  those who receive Him, build upon Him, and are lifted up and edified.

E. The Prophetess​​ “Anna”

This godly woman had served the Lord in the temple.  She had been married seven years, and was now 84 years old.  After the death of her husband, she considered herself “married” to the Lord and His temple.

F. The Proclamation​​ “spoke to all”

She had the witness of God that Israel’s Messiah and redemption was at hand.
 
IV. The Visit of the Wise Wen and the Fury of Herod​ Mt 2:1-12

A. The Magi

Joseph and Mary are now in a house, having returned from Nazareth and are residing in Bethlehem.  For after the flight to Egypt, we read of Joseph’s plan to return to Judea, though kept from it by God.  Jesus was two years old or under.

1. Their Purpose​​ “to worship”

The term “wise men” designates an order, or caste, of priests and philosophers called “magi,” which existed in the countries east of the Euphrates, from a very remote period.  We first find the word in Scripture in Jer 39:13.  This class is frequently referred to in the Book of Daniel, where its members are called magicians.  They were in many ways the Levites of the East.

2. Their Problem​​ “where is He”

They seem to have expected to find all Jerusalem knowing and worshipping this new-born King.  Their disappointment is shared by many modern converts from heathendom who visit so-called Christian countries, and are filled with astonishment and sadness at the ignorance and unbelief they discover.

3. Their Presents​​ “gold…myrrh”

Oriental custom requires that an inferior shall approach his superior with a gift.  These gifts probably contributed to the sustenance of the parents and the child while in Egypt. 
Frankincense is a white resin or gun obtained by slitting the bark of the Arbor thuris. 
The best is said to come from Persia.  It is very fragrant when burned.  Myrrh is also obtained from a tree in the same manner.  The tree grows from 8 to 10 feet high and is thorny.  It is found in Egypt, Arabia, and Absynnia.  Myrrh means “bitterness.”  The gum was chiefly used in embalming dead bodies, as it prevented putrefaction.  It was also used in ointments, and for perfume.

4. Their Protection​ “warned”

They came by night, and were obviously aroused and caused to depart by night, in order that their coming and going might in no way betray the whereabouts of the infant King.
 
B. The Madman​​​​​ Mt 2:13-23

1. His Inquiry​​ “called together”

Obviously the magi intended to return to Herod, and would have done so but for the dream.  When they failed to return, they seemed by Herod to have taken pleasure in deceiving him, and the very honesty of their conduct passed for the lowest depth of cunning.

2. His Indignation​ “furiously angry”

He was furious because he felt he had been made a laughing stock, and considered that they had taken such a serious matter so lightly.

3. His injunction​​ “slew male babies”
This brutality was in keeping with Herod’s character.  Jealousy as to his authority led him to murder two high priests, his uncle Joseph, his wife, and three of his own sons, besides many other innocent people.  Fearing that the people might rejoice at his departure, he summoned the leading citizens out of all the cities of his realm, and, shutting them up in the circus grounds at Jericho, ordered his sister Salome and her husband to have them all put to death the moment he died, that the land might mourn at his death.

BLESSINGS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!