Luke records that after Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, in obedience to the Law:
“Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, ‘A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’” (Luke 2:22–24)
The presentation showed that Jesus was consecrated to God, just as the firstborn sons of Israel had been since the time of the Exodus (Exodus 13:2). Yet in His case, it held greater meaning, for He truly was the Holy One set apart for the Father’s work. The offering of turtledoves or pigeons also revealed the poverty of His earthly family, for this was the provision allowed for those who could not afford a lamb.
By recording this, Luke shows that Jesus entered fully into the life of Israel under the Law, though He Himself was greater than the Law. From His earliest days, He was marked out as belonging to God, fulfilling righteousness on behalf of His people. The other Gospels do not mention this event, but Luke’s account makes clear that Jesus’ mission began in obedience and consecration from the very start.
