Jesus' Childhood Rites | The Wolfe Notes

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the English Standard Version (ESV) translation.

Jesus' Childhood Rites

(From Luke 2:21-24)

White Rose by Mariya_M at Pixabay

1. Summary

On Jesus' eighth day on earth, He was circumcised and named. Then, in Jerusalem, He was purified according to the Law of Moses. He was presented as holy to the Lord, and two turtledoves or pigeons were offered as a sacrifice for His purification.

2. N/W/L Statements

1. I NOTICED that from birth, Jesus stayed true to the law God ordained.
2. I WONDER what the purpose behind the rites is and why we no longer need them. How many other people were named by an angel before they were yet born?
3. I think God wants us to LEARN that 
1. Jesus' family raised Him according to Mosaic Law. They were obedient to the law that was given to them and to Gabriel's message that was received by them. We, too, should be obedient.
2. Rites are only worthwhile if performed for worthy reasons. We should examine the motivations behind our routines and choices.

3. Key Verse

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Luke 2:22

This verse displays the obedience of the family Jesus was born into, and also shows that Jesus was not above human tradition. It suggests that He lived a "normal" life. He underwent the same rites that every other child did at the time that He was born. It also makes me wonder how big God's smile was, and how tender His heart became, when Jesus was presented to Him.

4. God's Character

1. God provided us with a law that was intended to draw us into relationship with Him. (Purified so we can be in His presence. Named as holy to the Lord.)
1. 'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel. Exodus 19:4-6
2. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. Leviticus 19:1-2
3. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. Isaiah 1:15-16
2. God is humble. (Lived by the same rules He asked us to live by.)
1. Jesus wept. John 11:35
2. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, begin born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8
3. For we do not have a high priest [Jesus] who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
3. God cares about our obedience. (He chose an obedient family to raise His only begotten Son.)
1. In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Hebrews 5:7-8.
2. Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will but as you will." Matthew 26:38-39
3. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. John 17:14-18 

5. Pray

Father God, some of life's biggest annoyances are the rites we must undergo to get to the next stage. I wonder if it annoys me because our rites are not Your rites. Perhaps if our rites were tied to deepen our relational understanding of You, we would not see them as annoyances, but graces. Thank You for sending Your Son to endure the rites You established for us so that through Him we may know You. Help me to see You in everything by choosing to honor rites and routines that glorify You.

6. Act

1. Maximize rites and routines that deepen your relationship with God.
2. Minimize, revise, or eliminate, rites and routines do not honor your relationship with God.

7. Annotation Notes

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, x a cross reference, ! a connection, and italics a referenced source.

1. ? Who else was given a name by God while they were still in the womb? (Luke 2:21)
1. John: But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. Luke 1:13
2. ? What were the purification rituals and why were they required? (Luke 2:22)
3. ! This record of Jesus undergoing religious rites remind me to learn to see God in everything.
1. 🎵I see You in everything, all day / No matter where I go I know Your love is finding me.🎶 ("Everything" performed by TobyMac)

Sample these related posts:

• To review Gabriel's visits to Mary and Zechariah
• To accept seasons of discontent.
• To check your motivations.
• To cherish your relationship with God.
• To connect with Christ's humility.

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