“The Greatness of Simple, Ordinary, Faithful People”
Luke 2:21-52
‘… a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”’ – Luke 2:24
There was a sacrifice that every Jewish woman was to bring after the birth of a newborn. After her time of purification, she and her husband were to come to the Temple with “a lamb of the first year as a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove as a sin offering.” [Lev 12:6] However, “If he is not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring to the Lord, for his trespass which he has committed, two turtledoves or two young pigeons” [Lev 5:7].
Now, because of their modest means, Joseph and Mary offered “two turtledoves or two young pigeons.” But that does not mean that they offered less. In God’s economy less is not necessarily less. A lessor physical offering can be a greater gift. Because giving is a matter of the heart. It is that “widow’s mite” principle.
‘1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.[a] 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.’ [Lk 21:1-4]
God uses the offerings of simple, ordinary, and faithful people and then greatly multiplies them. It is a matter of a faithful heart. “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” [2 Chron 16:9].
The Lord is not necessarily looking for the most knowledgeable, educated, successful, and rich, although He can use these as well. But the key is the heart. Whether rich or poor, fancy or simple, educated or not; these are not the issue. What God is looking for is hearts that are loyal to Him. A loyal heart is one that God will use for great things in His Kingdom.
This was Joseph and Mary’s character. It was Zacharias and Elizabeth’s as well of in Chapter 1. We will see this character again in Simeon and Anna described in our passage this morning.
This is what makes these first two chapters of Luke so special! It underscores the greatness of simple, ordinary, faithful people.
