Feb 09 – PIGEONS BECOMING A SACRIFICE!

 “…they brought Him to Jerusalem to….offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, ‘A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons’” (Luke 2:24).

The dove is a clean bird suitable for sacrifice. Poor people who are unable to bring a bull or lamb for sacrificing will bring atleast bring a dove or dove chick to the temple for sacrificing (Leviticus 12:8). On the eighth day after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph brought two pairs of turtledoves as a sacrifice to Jesus based on the law.  

What would have those turtle doves thought? ‘We are neither big as a bull nor beautiful as lambs. There is nothing for us to feel proud of as we remain as simple birds bought for a low price.’ But still, there is a joy in these doves. The thought that they have come to sacrifice their lives to one who gave His spotless blood and sacrificed His life for the sake of saving the sinners, might have made them happy. 

Is it not a fact that Jesus Christ also came to the world as a sacrifice? He gave Himself as a sacrifice for the sake of the entire humanity. It is not a simple thing to die as a sacrifice; determination and boldness should be there for that. There should be a strength in the inner man. Only to give that strength and power, the Holy Spirit needed to descend on Him like a dove and dwell with Him.   

The Scripture says, “…how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14). The Holy Spirit helped Him to dedicate Himself as the sacrifice of atonement. The help of the Holy Spirit was required, for Him to carry the Cross, to tolerate the reproach and shame and to bear the unbearable pain in His body. 

You might have to go through the path of tribulations, reproaches and insults. Seek the help of the Holy Spirit, who is the dove of the sky, to tolerate these. The help from the dove of the sky is essential to carry the Cross. The power of the Most High is essential to complete the run successfully. Dear children of God, may you move ahead in the path of victory with the power of the Holy Spirit! 

To meditate: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35).