Luke 2:33-35 33And his father and his mother were amazed at the things spoken about him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this one is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel and for a sign that is opposed 35–and a sword will penetrate through your own soul also–, so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Joseph and Mary received further confirmation of the identity and mission of the baby born just a little over a month before this event at the Jerusalem temple. It must have been a shock to have a stranger come up to them and begin talking about their child as if he knew the family and the baby. Luke uses the word amazed in the form of an imperfect periphrastic, which gives the nuance of an on-going fascination and marvel at all that was happening to them and the baby. Joseph and Mary had each experienced messages from God about the birth of the child. Mary had further confirmation when she visited Elizabeth. The shepherds continued the confirmation with their appearance on the night Jesus was born. The couple knew God was at work, and they were coming to realize more and more what the mission of this baby was and why he was born.
Simeon had “blessed” God in verse 28 and now blessed the family. A blessing is often given in the Bible as a form of prayer and is often prophetic about the future of the person being blessed. Luke does not record the blessing that involved Joseph but focuses his account on Simeon’s prophetic word to Mary. These last words do not appear as a blessing but more of the cost that she will have to pay in the future, particularly the sorrow when Jesus would be crucified. Joseph is no longer mentioned after Jesus’ appearance at the temple when he was twelve years old, so it is highly likely he died before the events of Jesus’ ministry and never had to face the sorrow of the crucifixion.
The baby Jesus would grow and become a controversial person who would cause many people to rise or fall. They would stumble over him, like the prophecy of the stumbling stone in Isaiah 8:14; 28:16. Many would trip and fall over him because they would reject his message and deny his obvious miracles. The word opposed (antilegomenon) in verse 34 can also mean to refuse. Others would put their faith in him and experience healing and eternal life. His ministry of healing and teaching would have many signs and wonders (some of which are specifically pointed out in John’s Gospel), but people, especially the Jewish leaders, would refuse to believe in him.
Jesus would great opposition that would also cause great sorrow to Mary. Simeon describes this pain with the image of a sword piercing her soul. Mary was present at the crucifixion of Jesus. We can only imagine the great sorrow she felt at that point. But that sorrow would be matched by the great joy that would come with his resurrection, which would be the final confirmation of all that has been prophesied about him. Mary would experience sorrow and pain, not because of her doubt in Jesus, but because of what would happen to him. She had a special bond to him that only a mother could have with her son. The Gospels only give hints of this. She would have to do a lot of introspection with the events in the future. Even her own thoughts, fears, and uncertainties would be revealed by Jesus.
When confronted by the life and message of Jesus, we must also make a choice about him. If we open our minds and hearts, we will find our motivations, inclinations, and deep secrets revealed. The resulting conviction should lead to repentance and renewed faith, the rising that Simeon mentioned. Jesus is the crucial factor that determines the direction of our lives now and our eternal outcome.
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