Hope Awakening: Jesus’ Destiny
“The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.'”
Luke 2:33-35
Simeon’s words left Mary and Joseph in awe. Parents always love to hear nice and encouraging things about their children! But Simeon also had hard words for Mary, in particular. The couple knew Jesus would not be an ordinary human. They knew he was the Son of God. I don’t believe they had any doubts about who their son was.
But, I’m also not sure they truly understood the path he was destined to take. Scripture doesn’t say one way or another, but we do know that many, including Jesus’ own apostles, truly thought he would reign as King on earth in the same way previous kings ruled. Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph. We aren’t told the words of his blessing, but I can’t help but wonder if he didn’t pray for them to have strength for the tasks to come.
After the blessing, Simeon directed his attention to Mary. He shared with her a difficult prophecy regarding Jesus. His words might have sounded nonsensical at the time, but in hindsight she might have reflected on these words. Many followed Jesus, hanging on his every word. The crowds grew each time he preached or miraculously healed. People were all in for the hope and positivity of his message. Yet, when things turned difficult and he began to preach harder lessons, people walked away. A rich man would walk away from Jesus when invited to sell his belongings and become a disciple. Many people turned away from Jesus after told the crowds he was the bread of life. His own disciples fled when he was arrested, then sentenced to death by crucifixion. Some who had followed him during his ministry were among the crowd chanting “crucify” on that fateful day he hung on the Cross for us.
Mary, mother of Jesus, stood by and watched the horrific events unfold on that Friday so long ago. I cannot begin to imagine the physical pain she felt as she saw her son tortured, mocked, spat on, pierced with nails, and gasping for air as he hung between two criminals. I cannot fathom the emotional pain as she heard the crowds chanting for his death. As she watched the Roman soldier shove a sword into her son’s dead body, did she remember the words Simeon spoke all those years ago in the temple?
This prophecy of Simeon wouldn’t be revealed until the last days of Jesus’ life and earthly ministry. Jesus came to save all people, yet his ministry divided the Jewish people. Their hearts were truly revealed in those final months, weeks, days, and hours of Jesus’ life. A group remained faithful to Jesus, and God, fully believing in him as the Son of God. Their group would grow after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension as they preached Jesus to the ends of the world. But others, and ironically most of the religious elite, saw Jesus as an imposter, a threat, a blasphemer. Others would go to their graves without accepting Jesus for who he was: the Savior of the world.
What an honor it was for Mary and Joseph to be handpicked by God to raise the Messiah. This prophecy of Simeon is a reminder to us that while there was great joy and love in their role, there was also immense heartbreak.
All praise and glory be to God, forever and ever!
Reflection: We are in the middle. We are in the middle of Christmas and New Year’s, a time that can feel kind of sad for some. The magic, joy, and hope of the days leading up to Christmas has come to an end. Some of us are focusing on New Year’s resolutions and preparations for the things we want to accomplish in the next year. We are also in the middle of Jesus’ first and second coming. Advent the season is technically over, but we continue to live in advent of Jesus’ second coming. Waiting can be hard, and we can be unsure what to do next. I encourage you to pray (again) and ask God for His revelation of your next steps. What role is He calling you to as we wait with expectant hope for the return of Jesus?