The role of the firstborn son is one that we don't necessarily understand because our culture does not hold to the traditions surrounding birth order. Culturally the firstborn son of a family carried the honor of the family, inherited the property, cared for his widowed mother and single/widowed sisters, presented the sacrifices to the priests and presided over any family disputes. In short, the firstborn son was trained up to take over his father's patriarchal position in the family. It is no surprise then that firstborn sons were held to a higher standard both in family life and in religious life. Mary and Joseph were careful to uphold this standard with Jesus.
Luke 2:22-24
"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.'”
The consecration of the firstborn came about when the Lord claimed Israel and consequently the firstborns therein as His own during the Passover.
Exodus 4:22-23
"Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, and I say to you, "Let my son go that he may serve me." If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’”
Exodus 13:1-2
"The Lord said to Moses, 'Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.'”
Later, God chose the tribe of Levi to be his priests out of the whole of Israel. Thus the firstborns were consecrated as those who would mediate between the people of Israel and the Lord.
Numbers 3:11-13
"And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine, for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the Lord.'”
Understanding now the role of the firstborn not only in family life but in maintaining the family's relationship with the Lord, we can more fully understand Jesus' role not only as Mary's firstborn but as the firstborn of all creation.
Romans 8:29-30
"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."
Colossians 1:15-20"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."
Tonight I'm on the road heading home to Pennsylvania from Colorado. Yep that's a 22 hour drive optimistically. I'll be home for Christmas this year...in about 20 hours. I had no idea Kansas was so big.
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