Leviticus 12:8: “And if she is not able to bring a lamb, then she may bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons—one as a burnt offering and the other as a sin offering. So the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.”

December 26th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

We read in the New Testament, Luke 2:22, that Joseph and Mary followed these instructions of Leviticus 12 at the birth of the Messiah. Their sacrifice was the one of the poor, since the preferred sacrifice was the lamb, and they brought two turtledoves. It is interesting to think of all the homes the Savior might have been born in, priests, prophets, politicians, but instead He choose a humble one, a poor one.

There was another reason Mary didn’t need to sacrifice a lamb. She was holding the ultimate Lamb of God in her arms. The purpose of the parents bringing a sacrifice was to remind them that their baby was born into a sinful world and was also a sinner in need of forgiveness. Every sin required a sacrifice, but this baby, Jesus, was the sacrifice that would die for the sins of everyone. Jesus would change the whole world and it would never be the same. Sacrifices would no longer be necessary because He was the once-and-for-all sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:12,14 says, “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God . . . For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”

We miss the mark if we think we are forgiven because we are sorry for our sins. The reason for God’s forgiveness of our sins is the death of Jesus Christ. Our repentance is simply applying the atonement won at the cross by Jesus Christ for us. No matter who or what we are, God restores us to right standing with Himself only by means of the death of Jesus Christ. We cannot earn that forgiveness, we can only receive and accept it.

“LORD, we confess our sin this day. We accept Your gift of life and grace, extended to us because of Jesus.”