GOD’S WORD FOR YOU
LUKE 2:33-35
33 While the child’s father and mother were marveling at what was said about him, 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: “Remember, this child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against 35 (and a sword will pierce your own soul, too) so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”
When the angels had spoken with Mary and Joseph, they made it clear that Jesus was the Savior, the anointed Messiah (Christ) of the Old Testament prophecies. This was also the point of the praise and worship of the shepherds of Bethlehem. But now Simeon included the Gentiles to receive light and salvation from Jesus—surely this was part of what they were “marveling at.” Their heads were spinning with the things that were being said to them.
Simeon also adds a caution for the couple: Jesus would cause “the falling and rising of many in Israel.” In what way? Like a river or a coastline, Jesus would cause dividing lines to be drawn: Who has faith in him, and who rejects him? In the physical nation of Israel, this would mean the rising of Jesus’ enemies, and the seeming downfall of his followers. The Jews would attack and crucify Jesus, kill his brother James, and persecute Jesus’ followers. And those who were Pharisees at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion would end the belief of Israel. Rejecting Jesus, they turned the whole nation away from faith, so that even up until this day the Jews have rejected Jesus to the extent that they reject even the prophecies about him, convincing themselves that the land of Israel—the very dirt and rocks—are the Messiah. How sad that the promised land is all they want, not the promised heaven.
In the spiritual nation of Israel—which is the true Christian Church—there would also be those who would rise and fall. The greater a man’s ambition, the farther he falls. The greater a man’s faith, the higher regard and favor he finds in the eyes of the Lord. God does not care at all whether we are personally weak or strong, but only what faith we have. In fact, he says, “My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9), and Paul says, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Cor. 11:30).
Jesus would become “a sign spoken against.” In modern Israel, Jewish rabbis often refrain from using Jesus’ name, calling him “JC” instead—which cannot help but be a reminder that modern Jews also refrain from using God’s name, even in print, using spellings like “G-d” or using titles like Adonai. Rabbi Eliezer Gevirtz said in 2014, “There are too few Jews in the world today for us to afford defections to Christianity,” and warns that “All Jews must be aware that (Christian) missionary claims should not be taken at face value.” This is just one example of millions that Simeon was right: “The thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”
In the middle of these prophecies, Simeon gave a warning to Mary: “And a sword will pierce your own soul, too.” This was a prophecy of the climax of Jesus’ work for mankind, and Mary’s deepest grief. Writing about the crucifixion, John said, “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister” (John 19:25). Mary would witness her son’s horrible suffering and death, and this would be when she would know the sword piercing her soul. Like Naomi, her life was emptied of her faithful husband and son (Ruth 1:3-5), but Jesus’ resurrection would bring her other sons to faith (John 7:5), and restore her family forever in heaven.
Simeon’s words made Mary and Joseph marveling, their heads spinning, and ours, too. Jesus is the fulfillment of everything the Bible promises about the Messiah. He is the Christ, the Son of God. His death and rising means our rising, too.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith
Archives by Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel: http://www.wlchapel.org/worship/daily-devotion/
Pastor Smith serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Ulm, Minnesota