Overture
Read Luke 2:27-35
“Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” – Simeon
After waiting a lifetime for this moment, Simeon took the infant Jesus into his arms and burst into a song of praise. “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace.” God had been gracious to Simeon. His long wait was finally over. “For my eyes have seen your salvation,” he declared. And that salvation was for all people, as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Again, Simeon saw in Jesus what His own followers would later have difficulty accepting: Jesus was the Savior -- of Israel and the entire world. God’s promise to Abraham to make his descendants a light to all nations would be fulfilled by the child Simeon held.
Mary and Joseph had only come to fulfill the law’s requirement concerning their firstborn Son. They left overwhelmed for they had not imagined a prophetic encounter that day. Of course, it wasn’t their first. Both had encountered heavenly messengers and moments. And then, an elderly priest said things that could not have been known apart from divine revelation.
God reassured Mary and Joseph as He prepared them for what would come. “Behold,” Simeon said, “this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” This must have been confusing for overwhelmed parents, especially a mother whose foremost desire was the safety of her newborn, not greatness. Simeon didn’t stop by simply telling Mary that her baby would cause the rise and fall of many. He spoke of a sword piercing her soul. She had no way of knowing that the ultimate act of opposition to Jesus — death on a cross — would be the very thing that pierced her soul.
The small child in Simeon’s hands would one day be tried by the Chief Priest, stand condemned before Pontius Pilate, be mocked by King Herod, and then hung on a Roman cross between two criminals. Mary would be there, too. Standing at the foot of His cross, she would hear Jesus tell John to look after her. She would see soldiers gamble for His clothes. She would hear Him cry out, “I thirst,” and ask if God had forsaken Him. She would watch Him die, soldiers piercing His side until blood and water flowed. And then, she would hold her son, once again wrapping Him in cloth. But this time she laid her baby boy in a tomb, a pain sharper than any sword piercing through her, body and soul, every step of the way.
It is said that there is no grief like that of a parent losing a child. It defies the natural order. Children should bury their parents, not the other way around. Parents who have lost a child can imagine what Mary felt that day, something Mary’s younger self could not yet process as she stood before Simeon.
The crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus really isn’t part of our normal Christmas festivities. Though we know Good Friday is coming, it's a healthy distance away. In December, we prefer to sing about angels and shepherds, peace on earth, and God’s favor upon all people. The reality is that, apart from Jesus’ death, none of those promises could have been fulfilled. Christmas forgets what Easter always remembers.
As you prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth, take time to allow His death to pierce your own soul. It’s not a cheerful exercise, but apart from the Resurrection, there would be no reason to celebrate His birth.
Precious Jesus,
As I celebrate Your birth, may the reality of Your sacrifice pierce my soul.
My heart is broken when I consider my sin and what it cost You.
Thank You for the cross and the love demonstrated there. As the world celebrates Your birthday, may we never forget that You were born to die.
Amen.
The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.
No comments:
Post a Comment