Revealer of Thoughts

I was reading through the first five chapters of Luke's gospel and the story of Simeon really leaped out at me. Simeon is almost a footnote in the account of Christ's life. He appears on the scene and disappears when Jesus is but 8 days old. His parents have come to have him dedicated at the Temple.

Simeon is described as "righteous and devout" and was promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before he died.

Now right in his very arms is this little baby that will be the savior, not only of Israel, but of the whole world. His words are strange, though, and not what I would have expected for such a momentous occasion.

In part he said: "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed ... so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." (Luke 2:34-35)

What had to fall was a corrupt and no longer valid religious system of Judaism and what had to rise was the one Person that all it was supposed to point to anyway - Jesus Himself. He was certainly opposed by the leaders of the Jews, and murdered in the end.

But what I find most interesting is this idea that "thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." You know if you think about Jesus very much, if you read his words, if you consider his actions while on earth, its hard for something to not strike a nerve. Hating is the same as murder, you must believe in Me or be eternally separated from God, I came that they might have life, and that more abundantly.

What do your thoughts do when you hear his words? Do they soar or do they plummet? Do you get angry or do you become joyful? Do you want to hear more or do you want to turn away?

Sometimes Jesus reveals our thoughts not to condemn us but to challenge us to look deeper, see what He is really all about for each of us. You might think that you are one of the ones to "fall" but if you seek him with your heart you may find you are "rising" after all - rising to meet him and give your life to him to he will give his abundant life to you!

Pastor Tom