Luke 2:21-24 AMPC
And at the end of eight days, when [the Baby] was to be circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the time for their purification [the mother's purification and the Baby's dedication] came 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 [firstborn] male that opens the womb shall be set apart and dedicated and called holy to the Lord- And [they came also] to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Joseph and Mary were not a wealthy couple, but they were THE most privileged.
Having charge of bringing up the Messiah was the greatest privilege of all.
Nevertheless, we see from the sacrifice they brought at Jesus' dedication (2 pigeons - see Leviticus 5:7) they were poor.
Again we note how that God doesn't look at the size of bank accounts or investments, but values the heart of a person - that is a person's true worth!
Simeon, a man anointed by the Holy Spirit, was prompted to visit the Temple just when Jesus was brought for circumcision [see Luke 2:25 onwards].
He tells how Jesus will be a light to the nations and salvation for Israel.
Then he plainly tells Mary that a sword shall pierce her heart.
So the secret thoughts of many will be made known. And the things that happen will be painful for you—like a sword cutting through your heart.” Luke 2:35
To belong to Jesus is a great privilege but also brings, in this life, much pain too. You perhaps will be rejected and made fun of. Some Christians right now are being imprisoned and tortured for their beliefs - some even face martyrdom.
For Mary, she had to watch, as her firstborn Son was crucified, after being rejected, flogged and mocked.
That must have been like a sword piercing her soul! Only mothers will truly understand that deep, deep agony.
Remember, when going through hard times, it is all part of the fellowship of Jesus' sufferings!
As Paul writes in Philippians 3:10-11 I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
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