Luke 2:33-35
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.”
Devotion
Mary paid a tremendous price to bring the Savior into the world. Her reputation in Nazareth was destroyed. She would have to give birth in a stable. They would have to live the next few years on the run as King Herod sought out the Christ child to kill Him. She paid an awful price to stand beneath the cross of the Lord Jesus and watch Him die a horrible death.
Since the cross of Christ, many people have tried to capture this moment in human history in song, paintings, writings, and sermons. Simeon, a man filled with the Spirit of God, captures this moment thirty-three years before it actually happened when he said to Mary, “And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Because he was a godly man and spent his entire life waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise, Simeon spoke these prophetic words to Mary. Simeon’s heart was God-centered. He focused on God and eternity. Therefore, God was able to speak through him and declare the future prophecy concerning the sacrificial death of Christ.
Because Simeon had cultivated his relationship with God the Father, he was able to see and experience God the Son. This enabled him to recognize the Messiah and speak prophetically to His parents. Some might say that Simeon was singularly focused. He understood the difference between eternity and the temporary nature of this world. Simeon was able to fix his thoughts on things above rather than on earthly things that pass away with time.
Questions to Ponder
What captivates your thoughts? Do you spend more time thinking about earthly cares and concerns than you do about things that are eternally important? What do you think was going through Mary’s mind when she heard these prophetic words from Simeon?
Spend some time in prayer meditating on what God revealed to you today.