“A man of sorrows”

Read Luke 2:33-35

.

Even after a year of marvellous events, Mary and Joseph still marvelled to hear Simeon prophesy that their baby was the promised Messiah who would bring the light of salvation to the Gentiles (Luke 2:30-32; Is.49:6). But that joyful salvation would not be achieved painlessly, and the blessing which Simeon then gave them pointed to the struggle ahead (34-35).

. 

Jesus “came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11). For many Jews he was a “stumbling-stone” (Luke 20:17-18; Rom.9:32-33), an unwelcome light revealing the dark thoughts of their hearts (John 3:19-21). The Prince of Peace came so that we can know peace with God (Is.9:6; Rom.5:1). Yet he knew that his destiny was “not to bring peace but a sword”, because of people’s divided responses to him (Matt.10:34-36).

.

Mary herself would feel the sharpness of that sword, initially by her misunderstanding about Jesus (Mark 3:21,31-35) and eventually in seeing his anguished death (John 19:25-27). Jesus was “a man of sorrows” (Is.53:3) and those who love him cannot avoid sharing in the pain of his rejection (John 15:18-20). Ultimately, we are either for him or against him (Matt.12:30).