And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed…
~ Luke 2:34
Nearly 4 million babies are born each year in the United States. From California to Missouri to Connecticut, in cities and rural areas, to people of all races and social classes, babies are constantly entering the world. That’s around 10,300 a day!
Each of these millions of babies holds massive potential. One could be the next great thinker of our age. One might develop a cure for cancer. A very few will likely turn out to be the President of the nation someday. Babies are full of hope.
Jesus was no different. As Joseph and Mary stood in the temple that day so long ago, they felt the potential that was in this little One they held. Simeon the old prophet knew it, and so did Anna, who blessed the young couple, and rejoiced that redemption had come to Jerusalem. But unlike other babies, the future for Jesus and His potential was already written.
The old prophet Simeon had been waiting for the coming Messiah, and when he had blessed the young family, he turned to Mary and told her that this little One that she held was a sign to the nation of Israel that would be opposed, and that He would eventually divide Israel into those who rose and those who fell.
Now, of course, Mary couldn’t have known all that this prophecy meant for her baby, or for herself! The statement was undoubtedly disconcerting, and probably caused her some anxiety at the time, but she couldn’t have possibly known just what this meant. All she could do was wonder at the attention her new baby was receiving. But looking back, we understand just how accurate Simeon’s prediction was.
Jesus divided the nation of Israel. His ministry was one of Gospel proclamation, but the fruit of that ministry was ultimately division. He came to proclaim release to captive souls, to announce the good news of the arrival of the kingdom, and to call sinners to repent and be restored to God.
Many—in fact, most—rejected that call. They turned from Him in faithless hate, and ultimately took Him to Pilate and demanded His execution. They rejected Him, and ultimately, they ‘fell’ into judgment and damnation.
But others—just 120 to start with—heard the message that Jesus proclaimed and believed the unfathomable truth that God had become a man. They believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, and they received from Him the good news of salvation. These few accepted Him, and are, even now, enjoying His presence forever. In spite of their various backgrounds, they all ‘rose’ though God’s grace and kindness.
How people responded to this baby resulted in their eternal state, whether heaven or hell. And this was predetermined. Simeon tells Mary that her baby was ‘appointed’ for this responsibility. The word used by Luke means to set in place. Jesus, though a baby, was a giant rock that would divide the flow of humanity into two streams—those who would rise in faith, and the those who would fall in rejection.
The same is true for you today. You know that Jesus was born, and Christmas celebrates this stunning event. But Jesus still divides the world, and your soul is in the stream of humanity. This Christmas, consider whether you believe that He was, in fact, the Messiah, the Son of God. Ask yourself if you have believed the good news, have placed your sins on Him, and received the indescribable gift of salvation. You must decide, and Jesus has come with the good news of salvation for you this Christmas!
