-December 13, 2021-
Good morning, happy Monday,
“And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things that were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
(Luke 2:33-35).
Simeon had waited so long to see the Lord’s Christ and spoke some wonderful things of Jesus in verses 31-32, “Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” Just those words made Joseph and Mary marvel. Imagine their Son blessing the whole world, both Jews and Gentiles. In His first advent, He came to die on the cross and bring the offer of salvation to the Gentiles and to the Jews who believe in Him. His second advent to earth will be to restore Israel.
One important thing to notice is that the Holy Spirit is very careful in the words He uses here of Mary and and Joseph saying, “And Joseph and Mary His mother.” Christ was born from the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit apart from man. Nowhere in the Scriptures does it call Joseph His father. God is His Father. This is likely why Joseph is absent in many passages, and most likely died early. He played his part and was fully obedient to God, then disappeared off the scene.
Simeon mentions four important things: this Child was destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel; for a sign which will be spoken against; a sword will pierce through Mary’s soul; and the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Each of these four things happened just as Simeon said by the Holy Spirit.
1. This Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel – Usually we hear the expression the other way around, “The rise and fall.” In this case Israel’s fall precedes its rise. Israel as a nation rejected Christ but later will come to accept Him after the tribulation. Christ will reign over the earth from Jerusalem and regather and restore Israel. We will reign with Him. Jesus was the rock of offense in His first advent. Those who believed in Him were broken, but those who rejected him were crushed to powder. He was the Stone that the builders rejected.
2. Christ became a sign which be spoken against or opposed – We see that the leaders of the Jews, the chief priests and scribes, rejected Him and called for His crucifixion. They stirred up the multitude to choose Barabbas to be released, a murderer, over Jesus the pure, innocent, sinless Son of God. There some who believed, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. Jesus was despised and rejected.
3. A sword will pierce through Mary’s soul – This happened when Mary witnessed her Son crucified on the cross. She saw Him suffer physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually at Calvary. There was tremendous pain and anguish her heart. It was like a sword piercing through it. John 19:25 says, “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”
4. That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed – One is either for Christ or against Him, there is no middle ground, no gray area. What is in one’s heart is revealed. Some choose to believe in Him and others to reject Him. God sees and knows every heart.
After this Simeon is ready to die. He had seen the Lord’s Christ just as God promised Him. He prophesied of His life and death and how He would change lives. We are blessed to be His ambassadors and followers, to tell others of Him and His plan of salvation. The focus is always on Jesus not on us. We are His children and servants.
Have a blessed day looking forward to His second coming by serving Him today. Stay safe and healthy.
In His grace,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 