Posted on 02/04/2017 9:40:58 AM PST by Salvation
Q. Why was Jesus presented in the Temple as a small boy?
Dan, Elmira, N.Y.
A. Two things were operative in this event. In the first place, presenting Jesus in the Temple was the fulfillment of Jewish law, which said, “Consecrate to me every firstborn; whatever opens the womb among the Israelites, whether of human being or beast, belongs to me” (Ex 13:1-2). And since Jesus was Mary’s firstborn (and only) son, He was brought to the Temple to be consecrated to the Lord.
In addition, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple seems to have coincided with Mary’s purification, which Jewish law set for the 40th day. The Jewish practice of “purifying” a woman after childbirth was set forth in the Book of Leviticus: “The Lord said to Moses: Tell the Israelites: When a woman has a child, giving birth to a boy, she shall be unclean for seven days.… On the eighth day, the flesh of the boys foreskin shall be circumcised, and then she shall spend thirty-three days more in a state of blood purity; she shall not touch anything sacred nor enter the sanctuary till the days of her purification are fulfilled.…
“When the days of her purification for a son or a daughter are fulfilled, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a yearling lamb for a burnt offering and a pigeon or a turtledove for a purification offering.… If, however, she cannot afford a lamb, she may take two turtledoves or two pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a purification offering. The priest shall make atonement for her, and thus she will again be clean” (12:1-8).
Note that the uncleanness referenced here is a ritual (or ceremonial) uncleanness, not a moral one. The ancient Jews had many such norms in matters that involved the flow of blood, whether due to birth, injury or menstruation.
And thus St. Luke records the fulfillment of both these laws in his description of the Presentation of the Lord Jesus in the Temple: “When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses had been completed, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,’ and to offer the sacrifice of a ‘pair of doves or two young pigeons,’ in accordance with the dictate of the law of the Lord” (Lk 2:22-24).
Monsignor Pope Ping for this OSV column.
Jesus had several brothers and sisters.
Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
You must new around here...this question of our Lord being the only child Mary bore has been endlessly beat like a dead horse...
Nothing but the hoof is left...
Depends on who you ask...
The answer is plain to me, but I’m a nobody except a sinner saved by grace...
While true...however, catholics continue to post the false claim Mary was a perpetual virgin in spite of the contrary evidence from Scripture.
The false teaching must be countered with the truth.
Nope. There was a sin offering as well as required by the Law.
6‘When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. 7‘Then he shall offer it before the LORD and make atonement for her, and she shall be cleansed from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, whether a male or a female. 8‘But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’” Lev 12:6-8 NASB
Good point...
To me, it’s really not even a theological question anymore simply based the fact one has to disconnect from reality to belive all the incredible attributes she has amassed by the RCC, she was still a human being born into sin and lived at least three decades after the Virgin birth as a married women...
Hard to fathom she never had marriage relations again and never conceived again...
Luke 1:47-48 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Are you misled into literal translation? Do you know the history? On what are you basing this opinion?
Perpetual virginity
Is the Perpetual Virginity of Mary a Biblical View?
Aeiparthenos (An Anglo-Catholic Priest on Mary's Perpetual Virginity)
The Early Church Fathers on Mary’s Perpetual Virginity - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Heõs Hou polemic is over: Radio Debate Matatics VS White & Svendsen on Perpetual Virginity Mary
Luther, Calvin, and Other Early Protestants on the Perpetual Virginity of Mary
Luther, Calvin, and Other Early Protestants on the Perpetual Virginity of Mary
They are not false.
The Catholic is the one missing the translation. Leviticus calls their offering a sin offering. The Catholic is denying the OT.
Ah yes....Luther’s back on the good list.
If you don’t want to believe in Mary’s Perpetual Virginity, that’s okay. You don’t have to. I do believe. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to the link to reflect on the wise words of Monsignor Pope.
May the peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you.
Rich
You’re taking the words of a man over the teaching of the NT?
What's interesting is I wouldn't personal denigrate or mock you personally if you do believe in the RCC amazing attributes of Mary the mother of Christ.
I learned a long time ago that's between you and God.
I'm just stating the Biblical position...
The RC position on Mary is based on tradition, even positions stated 1,000 years after the fact. To me, that's a serious red flag...
Of course, I can't tell you how many times I have told by a RC on these threads I'm going to hell and not even actually a christian for not belonging to the one true RC church...
Of course, I can’t tell you how many times I have told by a RC on these threads I’m going to hell and not even actually a christian for not belonging to the one true RC church...
I am not one of those Catholics. I have too many close relatives who are devout Christians of other denominations to possibly believe that. Among them are my Mom, a daughter, a sister, a brother, cousins, nieces and nephews.
You are a minority within Roman Catholicism and on these threads.
So, was Jesus baptized to eliminate his sin?
Jesus never had any sin.
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