Luke the physician wrote how, “there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word: For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him”, and in chapter two and verse thirty-four of his book Luke shared how, “Simeon blessed them” where we read:
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
The verse reads, “And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel;” Luke began with the words, “and Simeon” or “the older man who took Jesus into his arms whose name means harkening” “blessed them” which means “praised, celebrated, invoked and consecrated Joseph and Mary with solemn prayers”, “and said unto Mary his mother” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to Mary who was Jesus' direct female progenitor and ancestor whose name means their rebellion”, “behold” which means “lo, look and consider”, “this child is set” or “Joseph and Mary's son is destined and appointed” “for the fall and rising again” which means “toward the downfall and resurrection from death” “of many in Israel” or “of a large and massive group of people within Israel which means he shall be a prince of God and pertains to the family or descendants of Jacob”. Luke shared how “Simeon” not only “praised and celebrated” Joseph and Mary, but he also told Jesus' mother, Mary, that Jesus was “appointed and destined” for the time of “downfall” and “resurrection” of many people within the nation of “Israel”.
The verse continues, “and for a sign which shall be spoken against;” Luke added the words, “and for a sign” which means “and toward a mark or token by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others and is known” “which shall be spoken against” or “that will be uttered, declared and proclaimed in opposition to, contradicted, refused and denied”. Luke shared how Jesus was also to be a “mark” for which people “speak” in opposition.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn more of “Simeon” “blessing” not only Joseph and Mary, but also declaring Jesus to be the One who would be put in place for the “falling and rising” of “Israel”. This, however, would not come without “opposition” to Jesus, and even though He was to be the “Savior” of “Israel” and the entire world, many people would “contradict” and “deny” Him. God's desire is to save every person through His Son Jesus, and when a person considers all the “words” spoken about Him, the best response is to yield to Him as a personal “Savior and Lord”.
Next time Luke shares how, “Yes, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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