“The child’s mother and father marveled at what was said about him. The 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 2:33-36 (TLB)
Joseph and Mary have gone to the temple to dedicate Jesus to the lord. This was required by the law of mosses, that every firstborn son would be dedicated to Jehovah. Even though they knew of the future of their son, and who he was going to grow up to be, they still followed the Jewish laws on circumcision and female purity after the birth of a child.
Surely their hearts would have been brimming with pride; hearing such glorious things being said by the prophets and their little baby, just eight days old. Redeemer, messiah, King of kings, and the son of almighty god.
But Mary also received the news that she would lose her first born son in a terrible and painful way. A sword shall pierce your own soul, too. Luke 2:35 (TLB) This foreshadowed the agony of Christ on the cross, as mary stood there and watched the life slowly fade from her son.
Copyright 2007 Timothy E. Davis