Reading:
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which
were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his
mother, Behold, this child
is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a
sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce
through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be
revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of
Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived
with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was
a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from
the temple, but served God
with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that
instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all
them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had
performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned
into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and
waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was
upon him.
Commentary:
After elderly Simeon blessed both Joseph and Mary, he had a
certain prophecy for Mary. "Behold, this child
is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a
sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce
through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be
revealed." The fall and rising of Israel, regarded the Jews
who would fall away from faith in Christ, or rise to faith in Christ.
To believe in Him is to be risen to new life. That sign spoken
against, was Christ on the cross, spoken against by the world who
crucified Him. Mary would feel most deeply this rejection of her own
Son, as a mother is deeply wounded when her child suffers. But far
worse, she would see her own son crucified by the very world He came
to redeem. This was the sword that would pierce her most deeply. As
for the prophetess Anna, she was a faithful widow who trusted in God.
God rewarded her faithfulness by this occasion to see the Christ
before her own passing away. She "spake of Him to all them that
looked for redemption in Jerusalem."
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