May the mumbling commence!
Talk about mixed signals! Mary and Joseph went to the Temple to do what the Law called for them to do on Jesus’ eighth day of life. Before they could leave the building, they came across the path of Simeon. What words fell from his lips that concerned them and their small baby! Read them from Luke chapter two:
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 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, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." (Verses 25-35)
The small helpless babe in Mary’s arms was the salvation of God – for them and all Israel. That much they could have known from the visitation of the angels and the divine conception in the womb of Mary. It was a marvel to hear these words of truth spoken from a man that they had likely never met before. What joyous and well received words he spoke!
There are some hints at marvel in Simeon’s spoken verses. Indeed, Mary and Joseph marveled at what Simeon said. The Lord’s salvation was in the sight of all people and was to be a light for revelation to the Gentiles. Glory would come to Israel but salvation and revelation were meant for all people – Jews and Gentiles.
Then Simeon turned to Mary. Jesus would cause the falling and rising of many in Israel. Jesus’ life would be a sign that would be spoken against. Hidden things and intentions would be revealed in the light of Jesus. The Lord was going to turn up the heat and stir the pot of humanity to boiling – to boiling over in anger and fear and jealousy.
A sword would pierce Mary’s soul. No parent should outlive their children. I witnessed the grief of my parents’ at the death of my brother, Don. It is a pain that marks the soul…
Simeon spoke words of joy and words of suffering. Both were appropriate harbingers for the life of Jesus and of Mary. Heart thoughts would be known – even the thoughts of Mary, who treasured all these things in her heart…
May we accept both the joy and the suffering attached to being followers of Jesus. May we accept the surprises and bend our will to the will of God. May we welcome all of God’s adopted children…
Yes, Luke extends the scope of salvation as the Jews knew it – extended it to include all who were willing to come to Jesus. It is evident in his genealogy of Jesus. Unlike Matthew, Luke works his way backward from Jesus – all the way to Adam, the son of God. Matthew stops his genealogy at Abraham – though he does include some Gentile women.
Luke recalls the ancestry of Abraham, which predates the Israelite people. Abraham was the first Gentile who responded positively to the call of the Lord. Abraham is father not only of the Edomites and the Israelites, he is also the father of all believing Gentiles. Father of many nations, indeed!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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