Mary and Joseph marvelled at what was said about Jesus. There would be a natural pride in that all parents want their child to be successful, there would also be wonder at how many things were coming together, the original words of the angel, Elizabeth’s words and now Simeon’s. However, things would not be simple, and definitely not pain free. He would cause the falling and rising of many. This alludes in particular to prophecies in Isaiah about the jesus being the stone the builders rejected (Is 28:16), and also from Psalm 118:22. Jesus divides the world. Men will either repent and believe and so receive eternal life, or they will reject him and continue on the road to death. We so often promote the view that if only we present Jesus properly and are nice enough then everyone will see how wonderful Jesus is. Well Jesus Himself was here, surely the best representative of Himself, and some believed and others rejected. This is the way it will always be. Many will speak against Him, but even in the midst of the most hostile of environments there will be those who believe and are saved. We need to recognise that both happen. Jesus reveals the hearts of men. Mary, too, would experience great pain, for she would see her son die on the cross. Being part of God’s plan is never an easy option.
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