A full week ahead, Father. I take Your hand, for we shall go it together. Amen.

Luke 2:25-35 (<<click to read the passage)

In my earlier years, I was an avid reader. I was one of those people that would stay up into the wee hours of the morning because I just couldn’t put a good book down. At one point, I worked in a Christian bookstore and we were encouraged to read as much as could so we could help our customers. I devoured books at a fast pace!

In high school, I came to love the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis – both men of strong faith – who allowed that faith to bleed through into their writings.

The interaction between Simeon and especially Mary is reminiscent of many portions of Tolkien and Lewis’ work. Prophetic statements brimming with hope but tinged with the inevitable pain that comes with life. Read the words spoken to Mary,

“Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is to be opposed— and a sword [of deep sorrow] will pierce through your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Jesus – the Messiah in the flesh – was hope personified. And as we spoke of yesterday, His would not be a hope limited to one group of people but the hope He extended was for all of humanity! But, as we know full well, it would come with great cost…

“…the thoughts of many hearts” being “revealed” makes it very clear that truly the reality of our hearts would be exposed. When it all was laid out on the table, it was not just the black and white of the Law. When hearts of stone were replaced with hearts of flesh and the Law was then written on our hearts, every aspect of who we are was made known. We are called to, “…love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” – that expands upon the idea of what it means to have is every aspect of who we are made known.

He has undoubtedly caused “the fall and rise of many.”

With His birth, Jesus was also “appointed and destined for…a sign that is to be opposed.” The notes of the Amplified Bible explain that that “sign” is “the rejecting of the Messiah, culminating in the crucifixion.”

It was not some cute little golden emblem that served as a bit of ornamentation. It was death – a horrific death that only the worst of the worst were made to endure. And…it was the death that I deserved…it was the death that you deserved. But Jesus took it upon Himself so that we may find pardon from the death sentence that we had rightfully earned with our disobedience.

Read the words of the Apostle Paul from Romans 8:1-4 (AMP),

Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son], so that the [righteous and just] requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not live our lives in the ways of the flesh [guided by worldliness and our sinful nature], but [live our lives] in the ways of the Spirit [guided by His power].

All praise to Jesus, the Messiah – hope personified. And “thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [which is precious beyond words]”! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (AMP)

Nov 4th, 2019, Mon, 1:02pm