King of Kings: An Advent Plan by New Life ChurchSample

These verses in Luke about Jesus’ dedication at the temple may seem mundane compared to angels and shepherds visiting. But these details are crucial to understanding how Jesus came to fulfill the law. Moses set these requirements in place many generations before and Joseph and Mary obediently abided by them. 

Jesus didn’t come to undo the laws God put in place so long ago. Being God’s Son didn’t mean He was above the law—it actually meant He would abide within the commandments just as they were meant to be obeyed. The law was always meant to provide God’s people with the ability to connect with Him, to be in right standing with Him. Jesus’ sinless life within the bounds of God’s requirements made a way for us to be restored to the Father. He fulfilled what we could not so that the barrier between humanity and the presence of God could be removed! Our founding pastor, Rick Bezet, always reminds us that we have to have both grace and truth. The grace that Jesus provides doesn’t mean that we do whatever we want; it cleans the slate so that we have a free conscience to walk in truth. 

Application: Is there an area of your life you know God has asked something of you but you aren’t yet obeying? Ask Him for forgiveness and write down your course of action to walk in obedience moving forward. Then share these steps with a trusted friend or leader as you start making this obedience a reality.