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Luke 2:33-35
Mary was notified by the angel Gabriel of the significance of the Son she would conceive through “The Holy Spirit,” and that the Child would be called “the Son of God” (Luke 1:35, NKJV). Mary and Joseph, knowing these things, still “marveled” at the “things which were spoken of Him” (Luke 2:33).
Simeon gave his blessing and prophesied that this child would be responsible for the “fall and rising of many in Israel” (Luke 2:34). “The sign which will be spoken against” (Luke 2:34), is Jesus Himself in fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies of a coming Messiah. Jesus is the sign of salvation as He is salvation and taught in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” His teachings would not be accepted by all men as the chief priests and the Pharisees would continually attempt to disprove Jesus as is recorded throughout the New Testament.
Jesus came to reveal the thoughts of our hearts, which can be covered up by our outward appearance. Jesus came to cleanse our hearts from sin, that we would “be to the praise of His glory” as the Apostle Paul states in Ephesians 1:12, 14.
The “sword” that will “pierce through” Mary’s own soul is believed to be the pain that she will feel as she will watch this glorious Son being hung on a cross to die for the sins of the world.
This is a prophecy of what is to come for the Christ Child.
This prophecy is still being fulfilled today with the fall of the proud and arrogant and the rise of the humble in our relationship with God through salvation in His Son Jesus. In accepting Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior we should feel the remorse of Him dying on the cross for something that we did, while also rejoicing that He did this for us so that we may receive forgiveness of our sins and eternal life in heaven with Him. He paid the price for our sins. He died an undeserving death in our place so that we may have the opportunity to accept this gift that God has given us in His great mercy and grace.
We can be forgiven of our sins through salvation in Jesus if we will accept what He has done for us, repent (turn from) our sinful nature, and seek His will for our lives each day through prayer, study of His Word, applying what He teaches us in our lives as we fellowship and interact with one another.
Dear Lord,
The message given to Mary by Simeon is the foresight of the ministry and crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please touch our hearts that we may humble ourselves to You in receiving the gift of salvation in Him and experience the joy of a new life – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.