Rejoice: Celebrating the Season of AdventSample

Child of Destiny

Read: Luke 2:28-35; Isaiah 8:14-15; John 3:18-21

SOAP: Luke 2:34-35

“Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!”

Into the Text

Simeon was a man who had lived for one purpose: seeing the Messiah. Now that he had seen Him, he was fully satisfied and ready to die. He had faithfully testified that Jesus is the Savior of the world. Mary and Joseph must have rejoiced at the wonderful things being prophesied about their son.

Yet, the Holy Spirit now spoke some hard words through Simeon, words thatMary and Joseph probably did not want to hear. Their child would be “the cause of the falling and rising of many.” Just as Isaiah had prophesied, Jesus would be a sanctuary, a place of priceless refuge for some. For others, He would be a crushing stone. He would lift some up to become children of God, giving them eternal glory in heaven. Others would fall to eternal punishment and disaster due to their unbelief.

Jesus would also be “a sign that will be rejected.” Throughout His life, He was violently opposed, contested, and even executed. Throughout history, Jesus’ name has been hated and mocked. His followers have been ridiculed, persecuted, and killed.

Jesus is the great divider. He is the point at which a heart can be revealed. The answer to the question “What do you believe about Jesus Christ?” is the most important question a person can answer. It reveals who you really are and determines your eternal destiny. Those who do not have Jesus as Savior and Lord show that they do not belong to God.

What matters is not that we have “some” kind of faith. What matters is that we have the right kind of faith. Believing in God, Krishna, Buddha, Allah, or some other higher power will not save us. But believing in Jesus, putting all our trust in Him as our sin-bearer and righteousness-provider will make us God’s children. We will have a secure place in heaven. This is not a popular belief in our modern world, but it is the way God has chosen. The little baby in Simeon’s arms truly is the child of destiny. Everything - really everything - depends on what we do with Him.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are precious to me. Thank you for revealing yourself to me. Please help me to share about you courageously with others. Amen.