Luke 2:34-35 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.”
Some people get a reputation for certain attributes or accomplishments. These then define how others see them and perhaps even how they see themselves. And when people believe these reports, then they often act in accordance with the reports becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Often times I come across this with people who come to me as a therapist. They tell of the words spoken over them when they were children and how those words have come to haunt them in their adult life. It is as if they can’t shake them off. The train has left the station and they don’t know how to change tracks.
Jesus had words spoken over Him when he was an infant. I am sure He didn’t remember them, but his parents certainly did. Those around at that time probably remembered them. But what was the impact of those words.
I know that I wouldn’t necessarily want to be the cause of the falling and rising of many. I wouldn’t want to be a sign to be spoken against, the butt of every joke, the one on whom derision lands. That would be a tough place to live, wouldn’t it.
We know from the text that Mary “pondered these things.” She kept them in her filling system, “Things said about Jesus, my son.” You have to remember that Mary was a mother first and foremost. And no mother likes her son to be spoken against. I am sure it cut right to her heart.
Maybe that is part of the piercing of her soul. The subtle attacks and then they outright attacks later in life were certainly in focus when Simeon spoke these words in the Temple at Jesus’ dedication. But a mother’s heart tends to be softer to these types of words spoken against their children.
So take a moment and imagine you hearing these words against your infant child. Let the hurt and questions sink in. Notice the conflict of emotions and the words that accompany those emotions. What would you want to say to Simeon?
I might want to say, “Take back those words!”
But Mary didn’t. The angel’s words to her when the initial pregnancy announcement happened must have risen in her mind. “The power of the Most High will over shadow you.” And somehow miraculously she became pregnant. Imagine her questions in that moment. She might not have known biology as well as we know it, but she knew enough. And this wasn’t how pregnancy happens!
Jesus’ destiny was sealed even before Simeon’s words were spoken. Jesus’ destiny was sealed before the creation of the world. And some rise because of Jesus’ life. Some receive the grace that lifts them up to new heights in Christ.
The Arnold Journey 