Purification

What does purification mean to you? Does it include a ritual you must perform or pass through to be purified? Is it wrangling with and asking God to purify your everyday thoughts? Do you consider yourself to be purified? Or are you still feeling tainted by the world around you?

We hold purity in high esteem. It may come in the form of a ritual in which we are purified. It may be wrestling within our minds to maintain pure thoughts. It may include relationships with others. Or it may be as simple as drinking purified water.

Being pure of mind, body, and spirit is likely something we strive for but feel we can never achieve it. We would be correct in that assumption if we are thinking of achieving it on our own. However, we are not required to achieve it on our own. Being pure, holy, and sanctified is not something we can do on our own. Only God can purify us and he will only do so if we ask and commit ourselves to him.

Luke combines two different acts in one setting. First, Jesus would have been presented at the temple on the eighth day to be dedicated to God as the firstborn male. Second, Mary would have presented the required offering at the temple for her purification on the thirty-fourth day (Leviticus 12). The point being made is that Mary and Joseph were following the law as presented by Moses.

What does all this mean for us? If we desire to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, we should also seek to obey God’s commands. It is not always easy. In fact, it will be very challenging at times. We will be pressured by our family or friends to do something contrary to God’s commands. It can be as subtle as holding a grudge against someone who has done us wrong.

We see that Jesus was following God’s commands from the time He was born. Mary and Joseph presented Him at the temple. Mary completed her days of purification. It was a family affair to follow God’s commands. As we have our own families, we can make following God’s commands a family affair as well.

I pray we all seek to follow God’s commands. I pray we follow the example of Mary and Joseph. I pray each one of us will seek purification both by striving ourselves and asking God to purify us. Seek purification. Follow God’s commands. Make it a family affair. Ask God to purify you.

Luke 2:22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord