It is hard to imagine how Mary and Joseph felt on that visit to the Temple. They were there to “redeem” their first-born with purchased sacrifice, and Mary also came for ritual purification after the “uncleanness” of giving birth. The Law commanded a set number of days for a mother to wait to be deemed “clean” again. (33 if she gave birth to a boy, 66 if a daughter…) Strange enough to be on such momentous errands in an intimidating place. Stranger still to encounter this old man, his eyes lighting up as he spots your baby, his hands reaching out to take him into his arms.
“…and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God… And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.”
But that’s not all Simeon had to say: “Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’”
Those are cryptic phrases, “the falling and rising of many,” and “a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed.” Yet, isn’t that exactly what happened in Jesus’ ministry? He was a change agent to whom people responded by rising or falling away. He became a touchstone, a figure of controversy. Indeed, the true thoughts of those who opposed him, the religious leaders, were often exposed as self-protective and corrupt. In some ways, Jesus still functions as that kind of sign, inviting the best and the worst of human behavior and thought.
How do you feel about presenting Jesus to people in your life? Do you introduce him comfortably to people who know you are a person of faith? How easy is it to use his first name in company? If it isn't, use his name in private more often, in prayer conversation with him, building your relationship.
Going deeper, are you ever called upon to offer a defense of Jesus, or of Christianity? (Hint – it’s better to talk about Jesus than Christianity…). How do you give account of the hope that is in you? Are you called to bear that discomfort?
There is a poignant element to this story – how must Mary have felt, hearing “…and a sword will pierce your heart also?” Did she remember those words when Jesus became wildly popular, then controversial, then marked for execution? It reminds us that, even in his infancy Jesus was our savior, on the path to redeeming the world. Our “Good News” encompasses pain and betrayal as well as life and freedom, just as our lives do.
Jesus walked that road for us, and now he walks it with us.
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