Purification in Love, not Law, Continued

As we begin, I admit that translations say different things, and the truth is that this verse had me really puzzled at first.

In the NIV for example, this is what we read. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Luke 2: 22.      

In the KJV we read this. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord. KJV

To some believers, this is a huge discrepancy and it causes them to lose faith in translations. On the other hand, there are believers who do not concern themselves with such differences and read any version and that is that. You have been brought two versions, quite different in their recording of who was purified. One states that they, both Joseph and Mary were purified, while the other names Mary as the person being purified.

What is the point? The point is that we are being shown that Joseph shared the ceremonial isolation of purification with Mary, even though there was no need for him to do so. Have you ever thought of that? Has this ever been schooled to you? It is from Father Joseph, we learn and see how Law does not dictate Love. Love dictates Law. When Jesus loved, Law did not dictate to Him, thus His actions of Love were and still are most radical.

We pause for a bit at this point to acknowledge one way in which Love was not dictated by Law. As mentioned on the first day of our Covenant Week, many Christians from many different denominations celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus. Very simply put, just as Joseph did not need purification, so too Jesus did not need water baptism for He had no sins to be washed away. The Law never demanded that Jesus be baptised, but Love did. The ways of Love are unexplainable and undeniable. Love is able to gladly, sincerely and zealously walk the lowest and highest paths, for the sake of Love. Love is God. Love is Jesus. Love is Holy Spirit. If Christ Jesus lives in you, if The Word has been made flesh and does indeed dwell in you, then the same can be true of you.

In some special way, as we continue to celebrate this Covenant Week, may you know and show the reality of all that is being revealed to you and in you. The fact that isolations and separations, for whatever reason, come into your family lives, legitimate or illegitimate, wanted or unwanted, is not the bigger problem. It is not ‘darkness or ignorance’ that is the bigger problem. It is the fact that there is no ‘LIGHT’ to fight, conquer and dispel the darkness. Will you be as Joseph, who made a big difference to Mary in her time of isolation, by simply being a Present Light? He demonstrated the actions of Love, not Law. Love stayed – he simply stayed with her – that’s all.

There are times when you must deny law and let love dictate your actions to be with someone in their time of separation or isolation - by just being there – a Present Light. Like Joseph, for you to be a vehicle of Light, you have to obey the Law of Love.  

 Just And Holy God, You Are Lord.  Give me the perfect heart and ways of love, even at this time that I may not see my own freedom, but some other to whom I can be a Present Light. Grant me active response in accordance with Your already given Word. Amen!