Luke 2:25-38 (NIV) - “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.’
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: ‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Matthew 10:34 (NIV) -“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Jesus’ birth brought us peace, but the cost was not peaceful. Simeon joyfully declared that Jesus would bring salvation and light to all nations; however, Jesus would also be spoken against, and He would be the cause of many ‘rising’ and coming near to God, and many others rejecting Him and falling away. Why is this? Jesus and His kingdom stand directly against the kingdom of this world (Matthew 10:34) and its false notions of peace, hope, and joy.
Like a sword piercing our own hearts, the Gospel strips away pretense to reveal the thoughts and longings of our hearts. In His great love for us, and through the power of the Holy Spirit God prunes and enables us to turn away from the things hindering us from knowing God, following Jesus, and experiencing the true power and glory of His kingdom.
Today, may our hearts be pierced with the deep recognition of the urgency and need for Jesus, beginning with our own hearts and assumptions about Him. And pray that our lives would be lived like Simeon and Anna, clinging to His promises and longing for His coming above all else. Lastly, let’s pray for the salvation of those close to us - that they would become part of the ‘rising,’ being rescued from ‘falling’ (rejecting the Lord).
-CO