The Rite of Purification

The Rite of Purification

The rite of redemption was distinct from the rite of purification. This purification is described in Leviticus 12:1–8. The prescribed sacrifice included a lamb, but the law made provision for impoverished parents. Verse 8 says, “If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons.” Luke told us that Jesus’ parents offered the poverty version of the sacrifice.

Have you ever considered what Christ’s earthly poverty has to do with us? Second Corinthians 8:9 proclaims that though Christ “was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”

Mary and Joseph offered the least sacrifice permitted by Jewish law for the rite of purification. How fitting that they held in their arms the greatest sacrifice a holy God could ever make for their eternal purification. Titus 2:14 tells us that Jesus Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own.”