Forty days after his birth, Jesus was presented in the Temple according to Jewish laws (Leviticus 12:2-8, Luke 2:22-24). This law applies to all children born, whether they are first-born or not. It is a purification rite. If the child is a first-born boy, this presentation to the Temple acquires an additional meaning. Since the Lord delivered the Israelites from Egypt by killing the Egyptian first-born males, God told Moses to consecrate to Him, that is to offer to Him as sacrifices, all the first-born, both of man and of beasts (Exodus 13:2). Of course, first-born animals are sacrificed but the first-born of man are redeemed (Exodus 13:15).
Suddenly, forty days have elapsed since Christmas. It is February 2.
Suddenly, forty days have elapsed since Christmas. It is February 2.
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple manifests the Jewishness of Jesus. Jesus was born a Jew and would work among the Jews. This feast is about him. It is his. Yet, this feast has another meaning for us, as expressed in the book of Malachi. He arrived suddenly at the Temple to purify the sons of Levi!
he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, till they present right offerings to the LORD.
Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years (Malachi 3:3-4).
What does that mean? Who are these sons of Levi?
Indeed, the Israelites are supposed to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). All of them are supposed to be Levites assigned to offer sacrifices for all peoples on earth. Christians, the new Israelites, have inherited this status. At their baptism, Christians take up and share Jesus' offices of a king, a priest and a prophet. All Christians are priests. It is their role to represent mankind, Christians and non-Christians alike, to offer prayers and sacrifices to God. Though they may not be priests in the hierarchy, they should offer up their life and their work as pleasing sacrifices to God. They pray for themselves as well as for those who have not heard of God and those who are not yet believers in God.
he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, till they present right offerings to the LORD.
Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years (Malachi 3:3-4).
What does that mean? Who are these sons of Levi?
Indeed, the Israelites are supposed to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). All of them are supposed to be Levites assigned to offer sacrifices for all peoples on earth. Christians, the new Israelites, have inherited this status. At their baptism, Christians take up and share Jesus' offices of a king, a priest and a prophet. All Christians are priests. It is their role to represent mankind, Christians and non-Christians alike, to offer prayers and sacrifices to God. Though they may not be priests in the hierarchy, they should offer up their life and their work as pleasing sacrifices to God. They pray for themselves as well as for those who have not heard of God and those who are not yet believers in God.
Now that we have the sons of Levi, who turn out to be Christians, where and how does the purification take place? If the purification aspect is not so obvious in this presentation scene, another incident three decades later would make Jesus' purification role very conspicuous. Jesus chased the merchants out of the Temple to clean up the abusive practices prevalent in the Temple worship (Luke 19:45-46). We will be overstretching the gospels if we link the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple to the Cleansing of the Temple some thirty years later. We need to look elsewhere and indeed, it is not hard to find. The two great apostles have left us great theologies of the Temple.
St. Paul exhorts the Corinthians, and thus all Christians, not to commit adultery because our bodies are palaces/temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
St. Peter teaches that we are living stones to build a spiritual house. We are a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5). St. Peter has successfully completed a full circle, bringing back the teaching of Exodus 19. So, Christians are all priests as well as chapels themselves and together, they are building blocks of the Universal Church.
St. Paul exhorts the Corinthians, and thus all Christians, not to commit adultery because our bodies are palaces/temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
St. Peter teaches that we are living stones to build a spiritual house. We are a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5). St. Peter has successfully completed a full circle, bringing back the teaching of Exodus 19. So, Christians are all priests as well as chapels themselves and together, they are building blocks of the Universal Church.
As priests, how can we be sure that our sacrifices shall be pleasing to God? This is done by Jesus. Our prayers may be selfish. Our life and work may not be pure. Yet, when we offer up our prayers and our work in the name of Jesus, these sacrifices will be pleasing to God. Jesus is doing the purification work for us.
Dear Lord, purify us so that our prayers and sacrifices will be pleasing offerings to our Father in heaven. Amen.
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