Presented To The Lord

by David Smith, Ayr, Scotland | Category: General | Mar 1992

That important occasion when Joseph and Mary brought the infant Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord, after the custom of the law, is one which may well touch our spirits as we see that modest and unassuming couple pass through the gates and under the ornate portals of the temple. Carefully they carried their firstborn Child, who would yet be great and be called the Son of the Most High. Joseph may well have been carrying the offering of two young pigeons or turtledoves for Mary's purification. Perhaps they arrived footsore and tired, but impelled by two vital spiritual motives. First, to do that which is said in the law of the Lord, to accomplish all things in their life and that of the Child "according to the law of the Lord". No motive is more dynamic than the inward resolve of the heart to conform in obedience to God's Word and will.

It is still the case that "to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams". Changing circumstances, degeneration and decline do not revoke God's requirements or absolve us from doing what the Lord wants us to do. Perhaps Joseph and Mary had discussed the possibility of bringing the prime requirement for the occasion, "a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering", but had reached the agreed conclusion that their financial resources did not permit them to acquire this very average offering. In this all-important matter, the godly couple did not venture to go beyond their means, but humbly took advantage with deep thankfulness of what the scripture said: "If her means suffice not for a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves, or two young pigeons" (Lev. 12:8). How good it is to reflect on such gracious acceptance of circumstances with contentment and thankfulness.

Here the second great motive comes into force, for Mary had laid up in her heart all that had been revealed to her concerning the Child: all that Gabriel, the shepherds and the wise men had spoken. What a precious deposit to possess in her heart: the revelation of God concerning His blessed Son. What a subject to ponder over, the greatness and glory of the Christ, whether it be in infancy or manhood or in exaltation, and to measure the circumstances of one's life in relation to Him! Did she never wonder why she, so highly favoured of the Lord, should be subject to such poverty?

No grant or loan was available to assist her in caring for the divine Bearer of all the riches of God's infinite grace to man. Did such thoughts never arise in the mind of Joseph and Mary as they passed the tables of the money changers and the stalls of sheep and oxen that lined their passage into the temple? Surely with a will to do the Lord's command and hearts filled with affection for Him, and their minds focused on divine purpose, no covetous or faithless thought had room to flourish in their lives. They came to the temple undeterred by their own outward circumstances or by the decadent situation around them.

Does it not draw a response from our hearts when we think of the poverty of this godly couple as they sought to discharge their great responsibility? For they were privileged to care for the Word who had become flesh, and to stand as an example to all generations that meagre resources are no hindrance to glorifying God and giving effect to His will. What Mary cherished as more precious than possessions or wealth was that God had "looked upon the low estate of His handmaid" (Luke 1:48). It reaffirms to us today that God is not restricted by our circumstances in life. Dearth and scarcity do not inhibit Him. "Did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to them that love Him" (James 2:5).

David Smith, Ayr, Scotland | Mar 1992
General