Ever found out some news that didn’t sound so great? After Jesus’ birth on earth, his parents take him into the temple according to the Law of the Old Testament. While there, an elderly man, who was righteous and devoted to God named Simeon, spoke of Jesus’ greatness to come to Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ parents.
The end of his speaking he says this: “Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed– and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!” (Luke 2:34-35).
As we look back on this, we can see the significance of this statement. Jesus’ coming was the redemption for all people, but it was not without completely dividing the old order of things for Judiasm and being hated by many and being murdered in a public spectacle. Jesus was not very well liked by his brothers either. For Mary and Joseph, this great news of Jesus’ arrival also brought some great parental distress.
In 20/20 hindsight, as Mary saw Jesus sacrificed on a wooden cross, with a crown of thorns on his head, blood dripping from open brutalizations, she felt that sword that would “pierce her own soul as well.”
Sometimes we need people in our lives to just tell it like it is, to warn us of the pain and suffering we will endure that comes with these moments of great rejoicing.
I’m sure Mary wasn’t comfortable with Simeon saying those things. And in the end, perhaps she wish she never knew what he said (as though it came true because he spoke of them). But I would have to believe that experiencing great sufferings without expecting them, makes it hurt even more.
Do you have people like this in your life? Are you being called to be that person to someone else?
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