33 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.”
Jesus divides people. That is a fact. You can’t stay neutral. You have to make a decision. In our society that says there are not absolute truths, no truth that is good for all people at all times in all places, Jesus demands a decision. He said He was God in the flesh. He said He was giving up His life for us. He healed destructive diseases. He raised dead people back to life. People marveled at His teaching. Either He did these things or He didn’t. Either He was what He claimed, or He wasn’t. You can’t sit on the fence. That is why so many in power are trying to eliminate true Christianity from the public spaces. In a society where people rarely stand for anything, especially anything important, let alone eternal, true Christians stand for many things uncompromisingly. And our eternity hinges on what we are willing to stand for. That is why Simeon’s words hit home with Mary and Joseph. Their son would divide Israel. Jesus would divide people even to their own core. He would reveal what they were thinking and feeling. Nothing would be hidden from Jesus. And Jesus would become the object of negative talk. What parent wants to hear about their child being spoken against? No parent wants their kid to become the object of bullies or the object of scorn. No parent enjoys it when their child is thrown in prison. No parent enjoys having their child become the curse word of the generation. I can imagine the parents of the postal worker who in 1983 went on a shooting rampage at work cringing every time they hear the phrase “going postal.” Their child started this. Jesus life would profoundly affect Mary. The things that would happen to Him would pierce her heart. Can you imagine hearing this about your infant son?
The Arnold Journey 