Active Memory

In our passage today, Luke moves the story along by providing exposition concerning the events following the birth of Christ. We read how they gave Him the name Jesus, He was circumcised, and the family traveled to Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice, since Jesus was the first-born male.

Luke includes these elements in order to demonstrate how Jesus lived under the Law in its entirety. Later during His public ministry, Jesus will explain that He did not come to abolish the law, but rather to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-18). Paul echoes this truth by stating, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). God’s path for redemption was always planned to run through the Law, and Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Law so that through Him we might receive the free gift of righteousness leading to eternal life (Romans 5:21).

While this truth is amazing and worth contemplating, it is also important to consider another aspect of the story. By taking Jesus to the temple, Mary and Joseph were partaking in a very specific ritual laid out in the book of Exodus (Exodus 13:11-16). As the Israelites prepared to leave Egypt following the Passover, the Lord commanded Moses to consecrate all of the first-born males, man and beast, to Him. In turn, Moses gave the instructions to the people, laying out how to fulfill this command.

In the instructions, Moses anticipates questions that will come from future generations. He explains to the people that when the sons come and ask what is going on, they are to respond that this sacrifice is a reminder that “By a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery” (Exodus 13:14). Therefore, this ritual is performed not as a means to be reconciled to God but rather as a way to help people remember what God has done.

Are there specific activities, habits, or rituals that you partake in that remind you of God’s faithfulness in your life? Are there memories of Him answering prayers or providing supernatural comfort? If you none come to mind, then perhaps you need to spend time trying to recall them. Remembering is not a passive activity; it requires action and concentration.

For those of us who come from a less traditional background, we often look at rituals or religious habits as being somehow less than authentic. We assume that spontaneity is more spiritual than liturgy. However, the problem with spontaneity is that in the moment, we often lose track of our past, and we forget what God is done. Of course, the problem with blind liturgy is that we often perform rituals with no idea as to why we do it. I think this is why Moses included the questions from future generations, because he wanted to make sure that those who followed these customs knew the reason behind them.

This advent season, perhaps there’s some old customs that you can begin again that remind you of God’s faithful provision in your life, or maybe there are some new customs that you can inaugurate that tie you more directly to the reality of God’s eternal presence.

Prayer

Father, I think You now for those moments in my life where You delivered me from my sin and set my feet on solid ground. Thank You for those times when You heard my cries, and You answered my prayers. Thank You for the provision in my life as well as the comfort. Thank You for the trials and thank You for the victories.

Please help me to find ways to remember Your provision in my past, Your presence with me today, and Your promise for my future. Help me to never forget the reality of Your love and care in my life in the lives of others.

Amen.