Introduction

Good morning, beloved congregation. It's a joy to see your faces filled with the light of God, eager to hear His word and take it to heart. We gather here today, not as mere individuals, but as a family, bound together by the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Scripture today comes from the gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 22 to 40. Allow me to read it for us [read text].

This passage presents us with a beautiful tapestry of faith, tradition, and the divine purpose of Jesus. But before we delve into the depths of this scripture, let's take a moment to reflect on a quote from the esteemed Christian author, J.I. Packer: "The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity - hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory - because at the Father's will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross."

Isn't it amazing, dear brethren, how the humble beginnings of our Savior foreshadowed His glorious mission? Isn't it incredible how His life, even from infancy, was marked by a divine purpose?

Let's bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Word. As we unpack the richness of this Scripture today, we pray that You open our hearts and minds to receive Your truth. Help us to understand the depth of Your love, revealed in the life of Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His precious name, we pray. Amen.

Now, let's turn our attention to our first main point: the Fulfillment of the Law...

Fulfillment of the Law

In the passage we read, we see Jesus, as an infant, being presented at the temple. This act was more than just a simple tradition or ritual. It was a significant act of obedience to the Law of Moses. Joseph and Mary, being devout Jews, were fulfilling their obligation under the law. This act of obedience, however, was not an end in itself. It was a foreshadowing of the ultimate obedience that Jesus Himself would demonstrate later in His life.

The Law of Moses, given by God to His people, was a set of guidelines and instructions. It was meant to guide the Israelites in their relationship with God and with each other. It was a means of maintaining order and justice in their society. But more than that, it was a reflection of God's character - His holiness, justice, and love.

However, the people of Israel, like all of us, were unable to fully keep the law. They were unable to live up to its standards. They were unable to maintain the holiness and purity that the law required. This is where the significance of Jesus' obedience comes into play. Jesus, being God in human form, was the only one who could perfectly fulfill the law. He was the only one who could meet its standards. He was the only one who could bridge the gap between God's holiness and our sinfulness.

As we look at the life of Jesus, we see Him not only obeying the law in its letter but also in its spirit. He loved God with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength. He loved His neighbor as Himself. He showed mercy to the poor, the sick, the outcasts while standing for justice and righteousness. He demonstrated humility and self-sacrifice. In all these, He embodied the true essence of the law.

But Jesus' fulfillment of the law was not just about His obedience, but also His sacrifice. The law required a sacrifice for the atonement of sins. In the Old Testament, this was done through the offering of animals. But these sacrifices were only temporary. They could not fully remove the guilt and penalty of sin. They were merely a symbol, a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus would make on the cross.

On the cross, Jesus became the perfect and final sacrifice for our sins. He took upon Himself the punishment that we deserve. He paid the price that we could not pay. He satisfied the demands of the law on our behalf. In doing so, He fulfilled the law in the most profound and complete way possible. This fulfillment of the law by Jesus has profound implications for us.

First, it means that we are no longer under the condemnation of the law. Because Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins, we are now free from the guilt and punishment that the law demands. We are now under grace, not law.

Second, it means that we can now have a relationship with God. The law, in its holiness and perfection, was a barrier between us and God. It revealed our sinfulness and our inability to reach God's standards. But through Jesus' fulfillment of the law, this barrier has been removed. We can now approach God with confidence and boldness, knowing that we are accepted and loved by Him.

Thirdly, we are now empowered to live a life of obedience to God. The law, in its demands and requirements, was a burden that we could not bear. But through Jesus, we have been given a new heart and a new spirit. We have been given the Holy Spirit, who enables us to obey God's commands and to live a life that pleases Him.

Finally, we have a new identity in Christ. We are no longer defined by our failures and shortcomings, or our inability to keep the law. We are now defined by Jesus' fulfillment of the law. We are now defined by His righteousness, His obedience, His sacrifice. We are now defined by His love.

Transition. The fulfillment of the law by Jesus is a central theme in the gospel. It is a demonstration of His obedience, His sacrifice, and His love. It is a testament to His character and His mission. It is a reflection of His heart for us and His desire for us to know Him, to love Him, and to follow Him.