As an able historian, Luke provides the most detail surrounding the birth of our Lord. Here, in Luke 2:21-24, we have a fascinating example of his specificity. But if we’re not careful, especially as Gentiles, we can gloss over these four verses. And why would we possibly do that?
These verses have two direct quotes from the Law (Ex 13:2 in v. 23; Lev 12:8 in v. 24) and two references to birth rituals in the Law – circumcision in v. 21 and the mother’s purification process upon giving birth to a son in vv. 21, 22, 24. This little section is all about the Law’s prescriptions on childbirth.
Now, why does Luke include these details? Is he being just a rigorous historian, filling in the gaps of our knowledge about Jesus’ birth? If that were so, why doesn’t he include more details of that period of our Lord’s life?
There’s nothing merely historical about these verses. Luke is careful to document how Jesus’ parents followed the Law to show that Jesus’ life fulfilled all righteousness by fulfilling all the Law and the Prophets (Matt 3:15; 5:17).
Yes, his parents were faithful, Law-abiding Jews. Yes, his parents obeyed God by naming their son “Jesus” (v. 21; cf. 1:31). But all their devotion to the Lord was ultimately intended by God the Father to have His Son “born under the Law” and “redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Gal 4:4-5).
From the beginning, outside of his active effort (since he was an infant), Jesus was “by the Book” in every way. A stunning truth when we consider that He is God the Son. But in His radical humility, He identified with flesh and blood (Rom 8:3), with Jewish flesh and blood (Gal 4:4), to live the perfect life so that at the right hour He could give up His life to die the death that we should have died for not living the life that we should have lived.
By keeping the Law for us, from the very beginning of his life, Jesus’ life of perfect devotion to His Father opens the way for sinners like us to be brought into His family. Without the right credentials, we have the blessing of adoption as sons by being united with the Son, the holy Son of God, who did everything by the Book.
Who can keep the Law of God? Who can stand before Him in his own righteousness? Only One – God’s very own Son, Jesus Christ.
So, rest in Christ. Rest in His righteousness. Rest in His perfect Law-keeping. No other work remains to be done, can be done.
And because Jesus fulfilled the Law for us, and because we are in Him by faith, all that He is before the Father, we are as well: co-heirs, sons, beloved….all because He did everything by the Book.
