Pierced with the Gospel

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 prophesied a summary of Israel’s response to Jesus in the years to come.  Jesus will cause change. People will rise spiritually as they receive his truth: Malachi 4:2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.
    In contrast, many people will fall because of Jesus’ life. Isaiah 8:14 “and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.”
    Indeed, the gospel message centers our hearts to change. From the moment Jesus arrived into his creation, countless numbers of people have found new life in him. We’ve read, for example, that Mary and Joseph very personally experienced God. We saw them faithfully respond to God’s call. And from Luke’s information in Acts, we know, that even in her pierced soul, Mary remained faithful to her son who is her Lord, crucified, dead, buried, raise and ascended.
    During Jesus’ lifetime, Jesus changed thousands upon thousands of people through his miracles. Jesus fed them real food, multiplied by the thousands. Jesus healed the sick. He forgave the repentant sinners. On the cross, Jesus exchanged his holiness for your sin. Tragically, countless souls have fallen to hell because they have rejected Jesus. We rejoice, too, that millions more have risen to eternal life because Jesus, the Savior, has come.
    Mary would not be, could not be merely a witness to Jesus’ life. Grief would pierce her heart as Israel condemned Jesus.
 
Prayer: My soul is often pierced, Jesus, when I see the world’s rebellion against you. Raise the unbelieving hearts to receive the consolation of your salvation. Amen.