April 5
“Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which 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 soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed,’” Luke 2:33-35.
Simeon thanked and praised God for fulfilling His promise which enabled Simeon to see the promised Savior before he died. Joseph and Mary simply marveled at the things that Simeon said. However, he also added a sad note to Mary, Jesus’ mother: “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against.”
Simeon was looking down the corridor of time. There was no doubt in his mind that Jesus was the Savior of all people. He clearly stated, “My eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all people,” Luke 2:30-31. However, at the same time, he also told Mary that everybody would not be rejoicing because Jesus had come into the world. Indeed, there were those who rejoiced and who believed in Jesus as the Son of God and their Savior. There also were those who felt otherwise, and they were determined to get rid of Him.
A good example of both groups was revealed on the first Palm Sunday, when Jesus made His triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem. “The whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: ‘“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’” Luke 19:37-38. That was the rejoicing group. Then there was the other group, among whom the leaders were primarily the religious leaders. “Some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, ‘Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!’” Luke 19:39. They would not tolerate listening to people who praised Jesus as being the Son of God!
Simeon said that Jesus was, “A sign which will be spoken against.” Frequently, it was the religious leaders who were speaking against Jesus. Referring to Himself, Jesus told the religious leaders, “The Stone which the builders rejected has become the Chief Cornerstone,” Luke 20:17. In his Epistle to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul wrote of the holy Christian Church, which is, “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone,” Ephesians 2:20.
In his words to Mary, Simeon took her to the foot of Calvary’s cross: “A sword will pierce through your own soul also.” The evangelist John wrote, “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold our mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home,” John 19:25-27. Yes, standing at the foot of Calvary’s cross was Mary, Jesus’ mother, watching her innocent Son die as a condemned criminal! A sword pierced her heart!
The sinless Son of God and Son of Man had taken upon Himself your sins and mine, the sins of everyone who ever lived, the sins of everyone who is living now, and the sins of everyone who ever shall live! In spirit, we stand humbly and penitently and behold the Lamb of God suffering and dying for our sins! We hear Him say, “Father, forgive them!” Luke 23:34, and we believe that He was praying also for us.
Thank God for His revelation of mercy, love, and forgiveness! Dear God, keep us in the faith in Jesus as Your Son and our Savior. Amen.