Two Turtledoves

I didn't have a picture of two turtledoves, but this 
chicken with her chicks is a good reminder. 

Scripture:

Luke 2:21   After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Luke 2:22   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 ²³ (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), ²⁴ and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Observation:

Luke’s narrative changes scenes and it is now eight days later and time for Jesus’ circumcision and naming. Then, we are taken to the moment of the purification. Interestingly, it’s only Mary who needs to be purified, but Luke tells us it was “their” purification, and that “they” brought the Jesus with them. This would not have been necessary, but it again figures into the story and life of Jesus. The parents wanted to present him to the Lord, just as Hannah had done with Samuel. Mary was following the Old Testament law that the firstborn son was to be designated as holy to the Lord. She was using the opportunity of her purification to dedicate her son. 

Mary and Joseph have gone the extra mile in bringing Jesus to the temple, but we are again reminded that they are a poor family. They couldn’t afford the sacrifice of a sheep. Think about that in contrast to the shepherds who had come to worship their baby. Even if the shepherds were poor, Mary and Joseph couldn’t even afford to buy one of their sheep for a sacrifice. Mary followed the instructions found in  Leviticus 12:8: “If she cannot afford a sheep, she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement on her behalf, and she shall be clean.” 

Through Mary and Joseph’s obedience, even thought it was costly, all the possible requirements of the law were fulfilled. 

Application:

For much of my life I’ve know the song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” and the phrase, “two turtle doves.” If you “google” the phrase “two turtle doves” you’ll discover the top hit is a Hallmark Christmas movie. You’ll also find lengthy descriptions of a symbol of friendship, however, you don’t find a description of the sacrifice made by Mary and Joseph. 

We all face challenges and obstacles to obedience in life. Two turtle doves are symbolic of all-out devotion and service to God. The sacrifice for Mary and Joseph was two-fold, for Mary needed to be purified, but at the same time the baby was to be consecrated in service to God. There is something in this action that ought to remind us of the need for entire consecration and a life of holiness. 

Every one ought to consider what the two turtle doves might mean to us. This is the sacrifice that we are asked to make to God. This sacrifice leads us to entire consecration. Jesus was the child that the parents were dedicating in service to God, but all of us need to consecrate ourselves to the Lord, as well as consider people or things in our lives that need to be given over to God. Far too often we want to have control of our lives, instead of trusting God. Mary didn’t try to control, but “kept” the things she saw and pondered them in her heart. This led her to be obedience time after time. 

It’s this journey of obedience that leads us to the place and life of holiness. Here, in the opening chapters of the life of Christ we find a simple young woman who provides a model for us to follow. She gave everything she could afford to live a life of holiness. That’s what God is asking from all of us. 

Prayer:

Lord, I want to live this journey with you in obedience, day after day. Amen.