And when they [Joseph and Mary] had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. Luke 2:39-40 (ESV)
Dear Lord Jesus, though you began your life in our world completely dependent on Mary and Joseph, they didn’t realize how completely dependent they actually were on you. As obedient Jewish parents, they performed “everything according to the Law of the Lord” on your behalf. But for the next thirty-three years of your life, you perfectly fulfilled everything required in the Law for Mary and Joseph, and for us. Hallelujah, many times over!
You didn’t come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it on our behalf. What we could never do, you’ve done for us, once and for all. What we could never be, you became for us. We praise, worship, and adore you, for so great a salvation, so firm a standing in grace, and so deep a rooting in the love of God. God’s favor, in which you’ve always lived, now rests fully and freely on us. We believe this good news; help us believe it more robustly than ever.
Your last words from the cross, “It is finished!” have become our first and perpetual words of freedom. It’s not our obedience, but yours, in which we trust, boast, and hope. It’s not our righteousness, but yours, which has perfectly and forever reconciled us to God. Now we obey you out of love and gratitude, not because of fear and pride.
By the same grace you’ve saved us, Lord Jesus, you’re now changing us. As you have fulfilled the Law for us, you are now fulfilling it in us. One Day we will see you as you are and we will be made like you. O the joy and wonder of such a gospel! Until that Day, keep us groaning and growing in grace, and free us to love others as you love us. So very Amen we pray, in your mighty and merciful name.