Presentation Weekend

Rev. Dave Kenney
Luke 2:22-24, 39-40

Understanding the text and the background
Each firstborn son belonged for the Lord and an offering was given to buy him back.

The first offspring of every womb, both man and animal, that is offered to the Lord is yours. But you must redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals. Numbers 18:15 (NIV)

Life lesson: everything is under His hands/controls : conception, birth, life, and death.

Seemingly the reason for paying a redemption price for a firstborn son and unclean animals and the sacrifice of the first of clean animals was to provide a perpetual reminder that conception, birth, and life are gifts of God. (NIV Biblical Commentary)

First male child belongs to God, but can buy him back / redeem.
Buy : the idea of redeem, cause later Jesus will do it.

The sacrifice was a lamb, or doves, or pigeons, if the were poor.
Family of Jesus was a poor family. God doesn't care about the circumstances, everyone is the same.

Some important things from this passage:

1. God's plan finds fulfillment through the obedience of His servants.
   God want to sent Jesus, but it depends of their (Mary and Joseph) obedience. And it all happened, just because Mary said, "Yes, Lord."

2. God stepped into the progress of history and changed things forever by sending His Son into the world.

3. Jesus was a "grace-gift" of God not only to all mankind, but also to His parents.

Applications to our lives today

1. It is as we are obedient to Him by submitting to prayer, that our prayers are answered. God tells us to pray.

2. We put ourselves in a place where God can minister to us.
   God can minister to us, when we pray together.

3. We are honest about our need for God's help.

4. God steps into the everyday events of Life and changes things.
   Just like He steps into history and change life.