"And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed'" (Luke 2:34-35, ESV).The scene before us is rich and powerful. Christ has been brought into the temple to be consecrated to the Lord (see Exodus 13:1-2; Lev. 12). Here is family is greeted by a man, known to be righteous, devout, and filled with the Holy Spirit. This man, Simeon, has been informed that he would not die until he had seen the Christ. It appears that he was waiting for that promised to be fulfilled for quite some time.
The mention of the Spirit's presence in Simeon life is startling. Although we are not generally startled by it. We often read this passage in light of the rest of the New Testament, when we should be reading it within its cultural context. For nearly 400 years the Israelites sat in silence, because the Lord would not send his Spirit to speak through a prophet. The Spirit's return signaled something big. It signaled the dawning of a new age. The eternal King was about to be born and about to bring death's reign to and end.
Simeon must have been the topic of much discussion. The people, no doubt, followed him around out of curiosity. Those hungering and thirsting for God's redemptive work probably hung on his every word. Those of a self-righteous bent probably saw him as a fanatic or a loon. But no doubt he was known to the people of Israel (and others), or else Luke would have gave a more detailed explanation of who he was.
Simeon is drawn to the the temple by the Spirit. As he scans the crowd, something deep inside of him recognizes the face of hope--the Lord of Life. He rushes over to the family and takes the child in his arms. He speaks over them a blessing and offers them a prophetic word, "This boy of yours will cause many to stumble, even as he his lifting others up. He will be opposed, and you will suffer too, because he is going to expose the hearts of men."
Thus, in a few short words, Simeon gives us a glimpse of how Christ's life will unfold. Many will fall away on account of him, but many will be raised up. He will face opposition, and grief will be experienced by those who love him. The hidden realities of the hearts would be exposed by Christ.
His prophetic word was fulfilled as we see in Luke's Gospel and the book of Acts. However, the word has not ceased speaking. Simeon was not only describing the 1st century response to Jesus, but the response of every generation. The gospel still raises up those who believe it, and repels those who reject it. Jesus is still revealing the hearts of men, through the witness of the Spirit, and he is still opposed by many. Jesus shines a light into dark places, but the people love the darkness and hate the light.
Were Simeon here today, I believe he would ask us, "Where do you stand with Christ?" Are we opposed to the message of Christ? You might be saying, "Hey, I wish people a 'merry Christmas.'" But are you living a life that points to the Christ of Christmas. Are your holiday celebrations so filled with trees and lights and gifts, that you have missed the greater meaning of Christmas? Christmas isn't just a time of love, family, and giving. It is about God's love, that was demonstrated by sending his Son into the world, to offer up his life as a substitutionary atonement on our behalf. Christmas is about the appeasement of God's wrath. It is about having a place in the family of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. We rise or fall, because of Christ. We either cling to him in faith, or we oppose him in disbelief. We either hate our sin and leave the light, or we hate the Son and live in our sin. Thus, Christmas means we have to pick a side: humble obedience to the Lord of Life, or prideful rebellion against the Light of the world. Which side are you on?
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