A Sword Will Pierce

A moment of pure joy in the temple. An old man singing, a baby sleeping, two young parents amazed. And then the old man's voice drops, and he looks straight at the mother.

We are still in the temple courts in Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph have brought the baby Jesus to present him to the Lord. A man named Simeon, led by the Holy Spirit, has taken the child in his arms and praised God: my eyes have seen your salvation, a light for the nations and the glory of Israel. These were huge words to hear about your six-week-old son. And Simeon has not finished speaking.

Luke says Joseph and his mother marvelled at the things spoken about him. They were amazed. Even after the angel Gabriel, Elizabeth's greeting, Joseph's dream and the shepherds' story, they are still astonished. Each new voice adds something. And now Simeon blesses them both. He asks God's goodness over this young family. Perhaps he places a hand on Joseph's shoulder. Perhaps he hands the baby gently back to Mary. And then he speaks to her directly.

“Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against.” Simeon is telling Mary that her son will divide people. Some will stumble and fall because of him. Others will be lifted up. He will be a sign from God, but a sign that many will argue against and reject. Through him, Simeon says, the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. How people respond to Jesus will show what is really inside them.

And then, in the middle of that sentence, Simeon adds something just for Mary. Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also. Imagine hearing that, holding your baby close. Simeon is not threatening her. He is preparing her. Loving this child will one day cause her deep pain. She will not only rejoice over him; she will suffer with him. Luke does not tell us what Mary said. Perhaps she said nothing. Perhaps she held Jesus a little tighter. But we already know what Mary does with words like these. She keeps them, and ponders them in her heart.

Simeon's words fit a pattern in the prophets. Isaiah speaks of the Lord himself becoming a stone that some would stumble over and fall. And Simeon's word to Mary came true in the gospels. Years later, John's gospel tells us, Mary stood near the cross where her son was crucified. Many Christians have understood that moment as the sword Simeon foresaw.

Simeon's warning is in Luke chapter two, verses thirty-three to thirty-five. Joy and sorrow, side by side, on the same day in the temple. Following Jesus is full of joy, and it is not always easy. So here is a question to carry with you. How can you stay close to Jesus, both on the happy days and on the hard ones?