A Sword Pierced Soul

December 17

(Luke 2:34-35 NIV) ““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, {35} so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.””

(John 19:32-37 NIV) ““The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. {33} But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. {34} Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. {35} The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. {36} These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," {37} and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced.””

(Revelation 1:7 NIV) “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.”

Simeon spoke profound words about Jesus. His faithful waiting, his recognition of Mary’s baby as the Christ, and his prophetic vision of Christ’s destiny, reveal a spiritual depth that is rare today. But Simeon was not finished. He looked Mary in the eye, and told her that her soul would be pierced by a sword of some kind. Many see this word as fulfilled when her Son was crucified and pierced by a Roman spear, but it probably happened more than once. When Jesus left home to preach, Mary’s soul felt the pain. When He returned to Nazareth, people took offense at Him, drove Him out of town, and tried to kill Him. Mary’s soul had to be pierced by that. There were certainly other times when Mary’s soul ached for her Son. It happens today when those we love lay down their lives for Jesus. The joy of Christmas is always mingled with the sorrow of sacrifice. Accept it. Embrace it. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day