SIMEON’S PROPHECY!

SIMEON’S PROPHECY!

Luke 2:34-35

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

           Fortune cookies and horoscopes are popular even among those who consider them only novelties. The reason is that most of us would love to have some insight into the future. We would like to be prepared for the unexpected and braced for the unthinkable. Simeon gave a prophecy regarding this child, this mother and this world.

           The original language offers some dramatic insight into the prophecy. Every word matters! For instance, when Simeon said “this child is set,” he was saying that the events and outcome of this child’s life is firmly established. When he said that Jesus would be the result of the “fall” of many, the literally meaning is “a crash.” But for those who crash there is the hope of rising again.

           Some of us know what it is like to crash before Jesus. We think we have life well in hand; we are flying high and straight. But when we are confronted by Jesus with who and what we really are we crash and burn. We have seen ourselves and it isn’t pretty. Then He gently reaches down and makes us rise again.

           For Mary there would be yet another sword which would pierce her soul. Already she had suffered the whispers of the gossips. One day she would see her boy grow to manhood and hang on a cross. All this was done “that the thoughts of many may be revealed.” Jesus strips away the façade to reveal man as he truly is.

Dear Lord, I am amazed that every pain you endured was known in Heaven before time. I am even more amazed that you endured all this for me. Thank you for loving me and saving me. AMEN