Changed Forever

Luke 2:33-35 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 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, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
 
IN the midst of this joyous moment for Simeon, he prophesies to Mary a summary of Jesus’ purpose. Jesus will cause change. People will oppose Jesus. People will rise, and people will fall because of Jesus’ life. How challenging these words would have been for the mother who is highly favored. Simenon’s prophecies would be further evidence that God had created the baby in her arms for the LORD’s covenant purpose.
   Mary would encounter many different emotions and thoughts as a result of God’s call. How true this is to all whom God has chosen to love Jesus. As Jesus says, “Come.” the invitation is about going to Jesus, so he will prepare us to enter into the disciple’s life. A true relationship with Jesus will re-form our purpose, emotions, relationships and thoughts to draw us near to God.   
   This is the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16a). Salvation is about becoming new. And we must learn to faithfully encounter this new life God’s favor has delivered to us. The Bible records each person Jesus personally touched experienced dramatic change. We’ve read this past month of Zechariah, Elizabeth, John, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and now Simeon experiencing God’s profound love effectually say to each person, to Israel and to  the world, “Come to me, and I will show you the way to my glory.” The entire Bible is a record of our Savior’s magnificent impact on mankind to bring us back into God’s image.
   You can see this in the changes Israel knew during Jesus’ ministry. We often focus on how people rejected him. But let’s remember more his salvation. At the conclusion of his gospel, the apostle John summarized the breadth of Jesus’ impact on Israel: John 21:25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
   How do you respond to God’s eternal invitation, “Come.”? Go first to the Holy God to hear him in the Bible’s words. Read it daily as an opportunity to listen to God’s love for you. Read with open ears and a humble heart to discover understanding for things you don’t comprehend. Find and listen to people who know Jesus. Believe the words of a pastor who offers you the truth. Be aware of Jesus’ voice speaking in both the quiet and the disturbing moments. Remember, God the Father, Son and Spirit is your Comforter, your Helper. He will save your soul from harm, deliver you from evil, offer you hope and show you his peace.  
 
And how good it is to know Psalms 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?