New Starts

December 28, 2008

1st Sunday After Christmas

Luke 2:22-40

The shepherds have returned to their flocks. Seared into their memory is the brush of angel wings, an angelic choir and the original version of the "Hallelujah Chorus." The angel choir rows are empty, and the angel trumpeters are silent. They have returned to their heavenly spots to watch the unfolding drama of the earthly visitation of God as He walks the dusty streets and trails of Israel. The angels will listen with awe as He interacts with humanity. They will especially be interested in His three years of "rabbinic teaching," horrified at the crucifixion but elated at resurrection morning.

But there is a bridge that spans the birth of Jesus to the rest of His story. It begins in the temple of God on the eighth day of Jesus’ life. Joseph and Mary are ready to start their walk with Jesus. Snuggled deep within their spirits is the desire to be good, godly parents of faith. They have been entrusted with the care and nurture of God’s gift to the world. On five specific occasions in the passage they are observed carrying out the ritualistic laws of Moses (vv. 22, 23, 24, 27, 39). For them this was the day of new starts.

I. A new start begins with ceremony and symbolism (Luke 2:21).

Joseph and Mary bring the baby Jesus to the Temple to perform a very sacred symbolic act of ritual, the ceremony of circumcision. They were acting upon a rite observed since father Abraham’s day. God told Abraham that circumcision was "the sign of the covenant" between God and Abraham and his descendants (Gen. 17:11-14). Since circumcision involves the shedding of blood, it signified the ratification of the covenant relationship. It would become the symbol of the death of Jesus on the cross for the sins of all people. Christ’s death would signify that there is a covenant between those who accept that death in faith and a God of mercy. There is coming a day when God will redeem and restore His chosen people, the new Israel, and heaven will become our home because of our faith in Jesus Christ and our position in Him through faith.

This ceremony of covenant symbolizes Jesus’ entrance into the community of faith. It also identifies Him with the people of God; and since it is the first shedding of blood, it identifies Him with both Israel and the world.

Our sacrament is a ceremony of covenant with Christ and identifies us with the community of faith as people of God. It is our symbol that we have died and been resurrected with Him. Just as Jesus’ life would be lived out in obedience and devotion, so should ours.

II. A new start begins with testimonies of witnesses to the divine revelation (Luke 2:26-38).