The Fall and Rise of Many

The One who would cause the fall and rise of many.

​When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel". (Luke 2:27B-32)

The Jewish law required Jesus to be circumcised eight days after His birth; thirty-three days after that, Mary was required to return to the temple when her days of purification were completed (Lev. 12:2-4). At that time, she was to bring an offering to the priest at the temple. Because Jesus was their first born, the law also required them to dedicate Him to the Lord and pay the requested "redemption price" (Ex. 34:19-20).

When Jesus and His family entered the temple, they encountered Simeon. The moment was now at hand. Simeon would encounter the promised Messiah before he died (Luke 2:26). When Simeon saw Jesus, he burst into praise. As he held the infant Jesus, he proclaimed God's Salvation.

The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. and a sword will pierce your own soul too."  (Luke 2:33-35)

As Simeon offered his blessing on the family, he delivered a troubling prophecy.

• Jesus would cause the fall of many.
• Jesus would cause the rise of many.
• Jesus would be a sign that will be opposed.

Simeon referred to Jesus as "a sign." This likely refers to the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14. "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."  Regardless of the miracles and evidence of His deity, many will reject Jesus. More than that, they will oppose Him, which would lead to Jesus' crucifixion and death.

How we respond to the truth of Jesus reveals the spiritual condition of our hearts and thoughts. When we accept the truth about Jesus, that belief reveals a heart that will trust Him. And with that trust comes the salvation and deliverance Jesus came to earth to give us. We must decide whether we will trust in the truth of Jesus as Savior and Lord and walk with Him, or decide to walk away from the one who came to give you eternal life and stumble in the darkness of this sin-filled world.

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"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone."

​PSALM 118:22