The Gift of Godly Examples (Luke 2:22-24)

Children's Lesson (click here)

I. Christ's Childhood

Can you imagine growing up as one of the biological brothers or sisters of Jesus? They are referred to in many places throughout the Gospels, but since we are told almost nothing about Jesus' childhood, we don't really know anything about their relationships with their older brother. But think about it: if you grew up with a sibling who never did anything wrong, there's a good chance, that at some point, you would be told, “Why can't you be more like your brother? Why can't you be more like Jesus?” Wonderfully, we know that many years later, that's exactly what some of them wanted to do, as they now looked to their brother as King and Redeemer as well.

Of course, almost everything that's suggested concerning the childhood of Jesus is nothing more than speculation. But, beyond the story of 12-year-old Jesus in the Temple at the end of Luke 2, there is something I feel far more confident in saying about Christ's childhood. And the clearest place on which we can develop this idea is right in the middle of Luke chapter 2. Turn there, if you haven't already. Let's look together at Luke 2, verses 22-24.

II. The Passage: “According to What is Said in the Law” (2:22-24)

Now during this season, it's typically the front half of Luke 2 that gets all the attention. The census of 2:1, the birth of Jesus, along with mention of the manger, in 2:7. The shepherds of verses 8-20. All of these are well-known pieces of the original Christmas story. But listen to what we read about the infant Jesus and his parents, beginning in verse 22:

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they [Joseph and Mary] brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord [23] (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first 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.”

Actually, let's add verse 21 to the mix as well. Look at what Luke tells us there: “And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” So I want you to notice that in verses 21-24, the writer has referred to three rituals from the Old Testament: in verse 21, Luke refers to the rite of circumcision, in verses 22 and 24, he refers to a purification ritual for new mothers, described in Leviticus 12, and in verses 22 and 23, there is reference to the presentation of a firstborn son, a practice prescribed and described in Exodus 13:13, Numbers 18:15-16, and Nehemiah 10:35-36. If go back to that second ritual, this is what we read last week in Our Bible Reading Plan...

[Leviticus 12:1–4a, 6-8] The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, [2] “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days. As at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. [3] And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. [4] Then she shall continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purifying... [6] “And when the days of her purifying are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb a year old for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering, [7] and he shall offer it before the LORD and make atonement for her. >>>

Then she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, either male or female. [8] And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.”

It's that last line that explains what Luke described in 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.” This means that Mary and Joseph (coming 40 days after Jesus' birth) were not able to afford a lamb for her to bring, so instead, she brought two birds (just as the Law allowed), one as a burnt offering (a sacrifice of satisfaction), and one as a sin offering (a sacrifice of purification).

Now, we could take time to look at what Scripture reveals about circumcision and the practice of redeeming firstborn sons, but I'd rather us think about what the observance of all three of these rites or rituals, what it communicates about Mary and Joseph. Though this passage reveals nothing about their hearts, at the very least, the couple we read about here in Luke 2 is one that obeyed God's commands.

Of course, if we dig a little deeper by looking at other passages describing Mary and Joseph, we discover that Joseph was, according to Matthew 1:19, “a just (or a righteous) man” who was not willing to put pregnant Mary in a position to be publicly shamed, even though it seemed she had been unfaithful to him during their betrothal. And when God explained to him the true story behind her pregnancy, we read in Matthew 1:24 that immediately, Joseph “did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took [Mary as] his wife”. What do we know about Mary? We know from Luke 1:28 that God was “with” Mary, and from 1:30 that Mary had “found favor [lit. grace] with God”. And her heart comes through loud and clear when, after that shocking, that earth-shattering announcement, she responds to the angel in Luke 1:38 by saying, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Though almost everything suggested about the childhood of Jesus is speculation, I think we are on solid ground when we acknowledge the fact that Jesus grew up in a family in which both of his parents loved and feared God. Or to put it in Christmas language, what the boy Jesus had received from his heavenly Father was the gift of godly examples; a mother and a father who trusted God, who submitted to God, who obeyed God. That's a good gift, isn't it? And what do we read about that boy in light of the episode when he was twelve? We read this in 2:51 (take a look): “And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them.”

III. Embodied Instruction

Brothers and sisters, friends, if you had or have a parent or parents who love and fear God, give thanks this morning for such a wonderful gift. That gift is from God. No, godly examples like that are not perfect. But to grow up in a home, for any amount of time, where the truth about God is taught, where the beauty of Christ is appreciated, where the goodness of the gospel is treasured and lived out, that is an amazing privilege that God uses in powerful ways.

Or maybe this morning you are a parent. Is it your desire to love and fear God, just as Joseph and Mary did, from the very outset of Jesus' life? Is it your desire to raise up a family where the truth of God is taught, where the beauty of Christ is appreciated, and where the goodness of the gospel is treasured and lived out? If we are followers of Jesus, that absolutely should be our desire. No. None of us are perfect. But even how we struggle can set an example for our kids.

Now, to be clear. Our desire to be a godly example to our kids is not a primary motivation for Christ-likeness. Our primary motivations are always... the glory of God, love for Jesus Christ, a recognition of his lordship, gratitude, and trust in the goodness of his path. But like the horizon-tal orientation of the second great commandment, we desire to set a godly example for our kids because we love them, and want them to love the One we love most. Instead of treating our homes as some kind pit stop between ministry opportunities, God wants us to see “that the fields are white for harvest” (John 4:35) in our own homes; even more broadly, in our relation-ships with our children, no matter how young or how old they are.

But I also want us to think about Joseph and Mary's example in a broader way. Listen for the connection between Luke 2 and Paul in Philippians 3:17. He writes, “Brothers [and sisters], join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”

What is God showing us or reminding us of through Paul? That godly examples are not only found in an individual family, but also in the faith family. In verses like 1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:7, 9, Paul encouraged disciples of Jesus to follow his example. And as we just heard in Philippians 3:17, he also encouraged these believers to look to those in their own local faith community who were clearly and sincerely and rightly living out their faith, to the glory of God. How should this encourage us? Well...

First, we should ask ourselves, “How can I keep my eyes on those who are godly examples?” I don't think it's enough to simply identify and consider certain Christlike characteristics in certain people. I think Paul's assumption here is that these believers really are practicing community with one another. They are in one another's lives, and they are in another's lives to the degree that they can witness the life of Jesus being manifested in one another. When that happens, Paul's encouragement makes sense: stick close to those people; listen to them; learn from them; be inspired by their example when you face similar challenges.

Second, give thanks for the godly examples God has already given you. I know all of us can think of believers, both past and present, whom God used or is using to set an example for us. Who comes to mind when you think of humility, or faith, or kindness, or encouragement, or zeal, or generosity, or devotion, or wisdom? Who has or can set the example for what that looks like lived out. It's one thing to learn about living a godly life through study or teaching. But it's another thing to see it modeled, to see it applied and lived out before your very eyes. God knows that we need both of these things. So give thanks this morning for those brothers and sisters who have and who are setting a godly example. They truly are a gift, aren't they?

Third, and finally, in light of these examples, seek to be an example for others, inside and out-side the church. As Paul instructed Timothy, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) As I said a few minutes ago, our desire to be a godly example is not our primary motivation for Christ-likeness. Our primary motivations are always the glory of God, love for Christ, a recognition of his lordship, gratitude, and trust in the goodness of his path. But as you follow the example of Jesus, encouraged by the example of others, think carefully about your ministry to others. Do you actually walk your talk? Are there actually believers in your life to the extent that they would be influenced by your example? Talk to God about these things. In the end, we know it is God's grace alone that provides such examples for us, and makes it possible for us to be an example. And so by that grace, let us seek the truth about God, let us appreciate the beauty of Christ, and let us treasure the goodness of the gospel. And as we do, may God empower us to give the gift of a godly example to the brothers and sisters with whom he has graciously connected us.