My Reflection on Mary's Sin Offering

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It's nearly the start of a new year and I believe it would be nice to talk about Mary's sin offering. I can't help but admire the earthly mother of Jesus and how she willingly participated in God's plan. She knew through God all things are possible. It was by God's grace that Mary who wasn't born without sin gave birth to a sinless child. 
Luke 2:22-24
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;  (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the LORD;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the Law of the LORD, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

Such devotion! Such obedience! Such a woman is worthy of admiration and respect as a fellow sister-in-Christ! Mary submitted herself to the will of God. As she would say, "Behold the handmaid of the LORD, be it done to me according to Your word." (Luke 1:38) and she would later rejoice in God her Savior (Luke 1:47). What humility and obedience Mary possessed and how she showed herself as a blessed sister in Christ as an example.

She knew what had to be done. Leviticus 12:1-8 says:
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days. And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: who shall offer it before the Lord, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.

Unlike the Proud Madonna that Romanism claims her to be, she knew she was a sinner and she was ceremonially unclean. I really look at this and wonder how many times have I failed to confess my sins? She went there to the temple with the sin offering. She did her duty because she knew that it was by God's grace a sinless child was born in her womb. She was aware that the Child was no ordinary child by the Child of the Most High God. Mary took responsibility as the one chosen to be the earthly mother of the Son of God. She always knew Jesus is God the Son and that He created the Universe. She knew she had a duty to fulfill to be the best mother in His humanity and as His discipline in His divinity. She only told people to do what He told them to do (John 2:5) and devotion to her is not one of them.

I look up to this humble woman Mary my dear sister-in-Christ. While she cannot intercede between me and Jesus (who was only her son in His humanity as He is the eternal Son of God) but she can be my good example. She cannot hear me but she can still indirectly show me on how to live. Lord help me to live a life like Mary the humble woman!

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