Read Luke 2:21-34
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
Meditate
Not many people know this, but I have a theory named after me—the “Deisher Theory of the Right Thing.” It’s okay if you haven’t heard of it. After all, it’s just a theory.
An incident yesterday will help demonstrate my theory. I was driving on a two-lane road with a speed limit of 65 miles per hour. It was a designated “No Passing” zone with double yellow lines and posted signs.
A long line of cars was coming from the opposite direction. As I looked, a car pulled out of the line and began to try to pass all the cars. Of course, that meant they were in my lane. I flashed my lights, slowed down, and moved over to the shoulder. The passing car quickly tucked into the line just before getting to where I was. If I would have continued my normal speed and stayed in my lane, we would have collided.
Now, why would someone do that? They could have been rushing to the hospital or simply became tired of being in the back of a long line of cars. It was clearly not a place they should pass and there was an on-coming car, but they did it anyway.
Why?
They expected me to do the right thing. They expected me to slow down and move over and get out of their way to avoid an accident. So, they felt confident in doing the wrong thing (passing in a no-passing zone) because I would do the right thing. Their need or desire or intent was more important than their doing the right thing, so they counted on me doing it.
People run lights that are red because they expect other traffic to do the right thing and stop. People cruise through stop signs because they expect people to yield. They expect people to do the right thing, so they can do the wrong thing.
Mary and Joseph could have been excused for not doing the right thing and following the Law of Moses. After all, this was the Son of God. The rules don’t really apply to him, do they? And yet they did the right thing. Jesus was circumcised, he was presented back to the God who had sent him and a sacrifice was offered for the one who would be our sacrifice.
Do you consider yourself the exception? Do you tithe and give offerings? Do you gather together with other believers? Do you read and meditate on Scripture? Do you share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others? Do you have a behavior you condemn in others but neglect to discipline in yourself?
Or is it up to others to do the right thing?
Start doing the right thing. Today.
Pray
“Father, I want to do the right thing. I am not looking to be the exception to the rule, but the one for whom following the rules brings freedom. I will make mistakes, but I pray your Holy Spirit will be my guide to walk in the fullness of my calling in Christ. Amen.”
Contemplate
What is one thing you know as a Christian you should be doing but have avoided? It may be supporting a missionary or tithing. It may be sharing the Gospel with a friend. It may be following a particular call of God on your life. Whatever it is, do the right thing. Commit today to start doing it. Don’t delay.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
