Sola Scriptura-9
The biblical Mary is not recognizable to the Mary of the Church of Rome. We have begun to study the vast differences and while many will be angry at the truth found only in the Scriptures, we must be totally committed to the truth.
Luke 2:1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2:2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 2:3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
2:4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 2:5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 2:6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
This is a very familiar passage which details Jesus’ birth. Many have not seriously read farther to discover what Mary did after the required days.
Luke 2:22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
2:23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD"), 2:24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, "A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS."
Sin offerings were introduced in Leviticus as they related to giving birth. If the couple could not afford a lamb, they could bring a pair of turtledoves or pigeons. Innocent people don’t need forgiveness, but we are all guilty of sin including Mary. She obeyed the Law and recognized her unworthiness before a Holy God.
Levitucus 5:6 'He shall also bring his guilt offering to the LORD for his sin which he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat as a sin offering. So the priest shall make atonement on his behalf for his sin.
Lev 5:7 'But if he cannot afford a lamb, then he shall bring to the LORD his guilt offering for that in which he has sinned, two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.
Leviticus 12:1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 12:2 "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying: 'When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for seven days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean. 12:3 'On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
12:4 'Then she shall remain in the blood of her purification for thirty-three days; she shall not touch any consecrated thing, nor enter the sanctuary until the days of her purification are completed. 12:5 'But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean for two weeks, as in her menstruation; and she shall remain in the blood of her purification for sixty-six days.
12:6 'When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. 12:7 'Then he shall offer it before the LORD and make atonement for her, and she shall be cleansed from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, whether a male or a female. 12:8 'But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.'"
The priest shall make an atonement for her with her offering. Mary needed atonement as much as any other mother. Why would giving birth require a sin offering and burnt offering? It is not very clear why, but it is very clear that it is in the Law. Mary and Joseph obeyed the Law.
The Church of Rome declares Mary to be sinless. God declares she needs to provide a sin offering. Only one person who walked this earth was sinless, Jesus the Christ.
More next Saturday.