Scripture: Luke 2:24


And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

It is obvious from the scripture that Mary was not an extraordinary person by the standard of her time. When she came to dedicate the baby Jesus in the temple, she offered a less expensive sacrifice. God commanded a lamb and a young pigeon or a turtledove as the prescribed sacrifice.

If the woman was unable to offer a lamb, then the two young pigeons or two turtledoves were accepted. Mary would not have offered a lesser offering if it had been in her power to provide a lamb.

This reveals that Joseph and Mary were not well off financially, yet the Lord chose them to be the earthly parents of His only begotten Son. Mary was a simple and ordinary young woman but she was chosen because she was available.

The Lord doesn’t choose the way man chooses. Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart. Mary and Joseph were chosen when they were without fame, without position, without money.

God entrusted the most precious gift He had to a couple who would surely have been overlooked if men had been conducting the search. God is not looking for ability, but rather availability.

D. L. Moody once heard a preacher say, “The world has never seen what God can do with one man who is totally yielded to Him”. In response, D.L. said, “By the grace of God, I’ll be that man”.

This uneducated man went on to shake three continents for God. It is your not ability, but your availability that will determine whether God will use you or not. God will choose you too, if you’ll submit and make yourself available to Him.



Prayer: Lord, I dedicate my life and all that I am to you. Lord, please use me. Scriptural Reading: Luke 2:21-24