Rev Gav

Sword

Luke 2:33-35

²² Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. ²³ The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” ²⁴ So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

The Prophecy of Simeon

²⁵ At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him ²⁶ and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, ²⁸ Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
    as you have promised.
³⁰ I have seen your salvation,
³¹     which you have prepared for all people.
³² He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
    and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

³³ Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. ³⁵ As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

The Prophecy of Anna

³⁶ Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. ³⁷ Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. ³⁸ She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

³⁹ When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. ⁴⁰ There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Reflect

Simeon was in the temple where he met Jesus and his parents. Holding Jesus in his arms, he made a wonderful declaration, but then he turned to Mary and made it clear that it was not all good news. Jesus was going to expose people’s hearts. This meant that he was going to reveal how people really were on the inside, and when he did this, some were going to get hostile. Not everyone was going to accept Jesus — not even those that belonged to the Jewish nation. Jesus would face ridicule, rejection, and hostility.

But there was even worse news for Mary, and Simeon saved it till last. Simeon must have been gutted to have to share the tragic prophecy that a sword would pierce Mary’s heart. He did not mean that a sword would literally pierce her heart, but it was another way of saying that Jesus would be the source of a broken-heart for Mary. Of all the days to share this information, Simeon told this to Mary on a day when she was celebrating her new baby. Simeon predicted her son’s death — the most heart-piercing thing that could happen to a mother.

I have often wondered why Simeon did not come out and say this directly. Why use the metaphor of a sword? Perhaps he was being sensitive and wanted Mary to draw the conclusion herself?

People hear bad news all the time, for example, news of loss, illness, broken relationships, financial ruin, or job redundancy. Christians are not spared pain and suffering, and even though being a Christian is a great thing, not even Mary, the mother of Jesus was spared. Did she give up and throw in the towel? No!

Do

Today, think of someone who has recently received some bad news. Firstly, ask that God would bless and encourage them and stand with them in their suffering. Secondly, decide how you could help, support or encourage them in some way. What can you do?

Pray

Holy God
You never said that following you would be easy.
As you stand with me in my pain,
help me stand with others in theirs.
Give me your strength,
that I may support and encourage
those that are struggling, feeling low or suffering.
This day and for ever.
Amen.

Think

Jesus was going to face ridicule, rejection and hostility. Why do you think that today, followers of Jesus might expect the same?