Scripture: Luke 2:34-35
Sermon notes
Joseph, Mary and the infant Saviour are in the Temple performing their duty to God. Mary has a duty to attend upon the house of God at this time to offer a sacrifice for the removal of Levitical ceremonial uncleanness as a result of having given birth. See Lev 12:2-6. Christ is here to be presented to God as a first-born son. Here is the great fulfillment of those Levitical shadows and few recognized it! Further, here is an illustration of a family serving God. Their home life is marked by faithful adherence to the commands of God.
Upon this scene comes Simeon. He rejoices in the fulfilled promises of God and specially addresses words of warning to Mary. Perhaps because she will be the one who will live to witness the rejection of her Son by the nation.
His words of warning are spoken in the context of blessing, v28, 34. It is a blessing to know the truth that he speaks of here.
What Simeon has to say about Christ and those related to Him, is not visible to the natural eye, merely regarding the superficial evidence. The Saviour is a 41 day old infant. Only the eye of faith enlightened by the revelation God has given could possibly see the things Simeon speaks of here and which Mary particularly must lay up in her heart. The sobering truth about Christ is only known in this way!
I CHRIST AS A STUMBLING STONE.
The terminology Simeon uses here sets this picture before us.
- He is set as such. There is deliberate action entailed. The plan and purpose of God is in mind. Cp Is 28:16, 1 Peter 2:4-8.
- He will be the means of stumbling for many. Many will fall and stumble at Christ. His person, doctrine, the revelation of His work etc. prove to be too much for multitudes in their disobedience. Especially, Simeon is considering the nation of Israel. Many will refuse to believe His claims and reject Him. What a ‘crashing’ fall they will experience. Cp Matt 21:44, 1 Cor 1:23.
- He is the means of exaltation for many. At the same time as many refuse Him there will be many who prove Him to be the means of exaltation to the highest. What heights Christ raises those to who believe in Him! What a foundation stone He is for those who build on Him by faith. The word literally references a resurrection. Cp Jn 6:40, 44.
II CHRIST: THE SIGN TO BE SPOKEN AGAINST
- A sign. The use of this word to describe the Saviour indicates that there is a message that He conveys. He means something! The word is often used of a miraculous token/indication from God/Heaven. His person/presence is proof of something, points to something, a seal on something. The Saviour points the way to the Father. He is Himself the word of God, and the revelation of the Father. He is the personal proof of Divine truth, the plain evidence of what God has revealed. Cp Jn 1:18, 6:27, Heb 1:1-4.
- An antagonistic response. The personified sign will be resisted and contradicted. Cp Heb 12:3. Simeon uses a word that indicates refusal, denial and rejection. The message of God embodied in Christ is resisted and refused by men. Wicked men feel the liberty to defy the ’sign’ that God has given the world.
III THE WARNING OF PERSONAL HURT FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.
- Christ is the focus of the opposition. Yet while this is so, those identified with Him as Mary is in this instance, will feel pain by association. Cp Matt 12:50. We should be pained by the world’s rejection of Christ. The attitude of the world to the infant Christ at this season of the year should grieve the Christian.
- Deep hurt. Simeon’s words indicate just how deeply this will be felt.
- Thine own soul. It will not be superficial but it will be felt in our very life! Here is a reminder of how close the bond between Christ and His people really is.
- A piercing sword. A sword is a weapon of war. The Christian will suffer wounds in this spiritual battle. What a wound! It reaches every part of the soul. In a sense this is a deadly wound. The attitude of the world to Christ should slay something within us! We should be ready to die with Him. We should live as one dead to the world, Gal 6:14.
These were the words of a man guided by the Holy Ghost to speak of Christ in the house of God.