Luke 2:21-24

Luke 2:21-24

1. The first point which demands our attention in this passage, is the obedience which our Lord rendered, as an infant, to the Jewish law.
2. The second point which demands our attention in this passage, is the name by which our Lord was called, by God's special command.
3. The last point which demands our attention in this passage, is the poor and humble condition of our Lord's mother, the Virgin Mary.

"Let us endure much, rather than increase the offence of the Gospel, or hinder in any way the cause of God."

"Let it not content us to know Christ as One who wrought mighty miracles, and spoke as never man spoke; or to know Him as One who is very God, and will one day judge the world. Let us see that we know Him experimentally, as our Deliverer from the guilt and power of sin, and our Redeemer from Satan's bondage."

"Let him remember in all his prayers that his mighty Mediator in heaven is accustomed to poverty, and knows by experience the heart of a poor man. Well would it be for the world if working men could only see that Christ is the true poor man's friend!"

Questions:

1. If our efforts to share a gospel which is in and of itself offensive, are we raising up additional offences that hinder the gospel?

2. What do our hearts know of the Savior? Is His name precious ointment poured forth? Are we striving to say that “He is my friend, I was dead and He gave me life – I was a prisoner and he set me free?”

3. Ryle mentions an argument of the day, namely that ‘religion is not for the poor,’ which seems unapplicable to us today. Nonetheless, do we look down on the poor around us or do we regard them as equal heirs of the grace of life?