December 18th - Simeon prophesies over Mary
Passages:
Simeon then blessed them and prophesied over Mary, saying: 34–35 “A painful sword will one day pierce your inner being, for your child will be rejected by many in Israel. And the destiny of your child is this: he will be (appointed) laid down as a miracle sign for the downfall and resurrection of many in Israel. Many will oppose this sign, but it will expose to all the innermost thoughts of their hearts before God.” (Luke 2:33b-35)
The Prophecies from Isaiah
He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be
a stone that causes people
to stumble and
a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.15 Many
of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured (Isaiah
8:14-15)
So then, the word of the Lord to them will become: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there—so that as they go, they will fall backward; they will be injured and snared and captured.
14 Therefore
hear the word of the Lord, you
scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem. 15 You
boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death, with the realm of
the dead we have made an agreement. When an
overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us,
for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood
our hiding place.” 16 So this is what the
Sovereign Lord says:
“See,
I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be
stricken with panic (Isaiah 28:13-16).
Ponder:
There are more sombre notes of promise here, as Simon confirms Jesus fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy. Simon foretells that Jesus will be rejected. His ministry was rejected and opposed by many. His death, burial and resurrection are also foretold.
The Greek word translated “appointed” actually means “to lie down.” Jesus was laid in a tomb for us and rose again for us.
Prayer:
Thank you Lord that your crucifixion
was an appointment not an accident. It was foreordained before the
foundation of the world. Thank you
that you rose after the power of an endless life, redeeming me from sin and death.
Let my heart be one that welcomes you and never one that opposes you. Amen.
*(The Jesus Diary – The Most Comprehensive Chronology of
the Life of Jesus Christ, the Son of God)
** Luke:The NIV Application
commentary from Biblical Text to Contemporary Life: Darrell L. Brock – Quotations (moving forward)
will be from this source and The Matthew Commentary Collection by
Wilkins,Osborne and McKnight.
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