Luk 2:34-35 | KingComments | STEP | Joseph and Mary are called “His father and mother”. He is entrusted to them as parents. For them, He is a special Baby with a special task. They cannot understand how special He is and what His task encompasses. They hear in amazement what Simeon, under the guidance of God’s Spirit, says of Him. Then we read that Simeon blesses “them”, that are Joseph and Mary and not the Child. He then has another word especially for Mary. Her Son will become the great touchstone for all in Israel ( ). Many will fall over Him, but many will rise after they have fallen. The latter will happen in the future with a remnant ( ). In we have heard the explanation of the certain fulfillment of God’s counsel in the Messiah. In it we listen to the joy of God’s own heart. In the effect of the presentation of Jesus as the Messiah to Israel on earth is described. God tests the heart of man. As such, He will be a sign that is opposed. We find three times that the Lord Jesus is a sign, each time in a different context, but each time connected to an event of enormous importance. The first sign is related to His coming in humiliation, the sign of the Child in the manger ( ). The second sign is related to His rejection, His death, and His resurrection ( ). The third sign is related to His appearance in majesty ( ). In connection with the second sign, the sign that will be opposed, a sword will pass through the soul of Mary. When she sees how her Child is rejected and how the natural bonds of the Messiah with the people are broken and misunderstood, that will cause great sorrow in her soul. He will be rejected and killed to reveal the thoughts of many hearts, for He is light. Then it will become clear that people hate light and prefer darkness to light. In Him the counsels of God and the heart of man are revealed.

‏ Luke 2:34-35

The Sword Through the Soul of Mary

Joseph and Mary are called “His father and mother”. He is entrusted to them as parents. For them, He is a special Baby with a special task. They cannot understand how special He is and what His task encompasses. They hear in amazement what Simeon, under the guidance of God’s Spirit, says of Him.

Then we read that Simeon blesses “them”, that are Joseph and Mary and not the Child. He then has another word especially for Mary. Her Son will become the great touchstone for all in Israel (Isa 8:14). Many will fall over Him, but many will rise after they have fallen. The latter will happen in the future with a remnant (Rom 11:11-15).

In Lk 2:31-32 we have heard the explanation of the certain fulfillment of God’s counsel in the Messiah. In it we listen to the joy of God’s own heart. In Lk 2:34-35 the effect of the presentation of Jesus as the Messiah to Israel on earth is described. God tests the heart of man. As such, He will be a sign that is opposed.

We find three times that the Lord Jesus is a sign, each time in a different context, but each time connected to an event of enormous importance. The first sign is related to His coming in humiliation, the sign of the Child in the manger (Lk 2:12). The second sign is related to His rejection, His death, and His resurrection (Lk 2:34-35 ; Lk 11:29-30). The third sign is related to His appearance in majesty (Mt 24:30).

In connection with the second sign, the sign that will be opposed, a sword will pass through the soul of Mary. When she sees how her Child is rejected and how the natural bonds of the Messiah with the people are broken and misunderstood, that will cause great sorrow in her soul. He will be rejected and killed to reveal the thoughts of many hearts, for He is light. Then it will become clear that people hate light and prefer darkness to light. In Him the counsels of God and the heart of man are revealed.