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Jun 15, 2023 18:30pm

The Rise and Fall of Many

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As much as I love to write, I really never kept a diary. Did you? I mean, I tried it out a few times, but, there’s just something about the idea of putting your deepest secrets and thoughts on paper and the chance that someone could find it.

If all of my thoughts and actions I thought were hidden, were suddenly brought out into the open, well, that would be devastating!

As we continue in our study of Luke, we read about Simeon. He was an elderly man who had waited his whole life to see the Messiah. And here He was. His parents had brought Him to the temple as the law stated. Simeon praised the Lord for getting to see the child, but also had something to share with Mary and Joseph.

Luke 2:33-35

“And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Simeon was telling Jesus’ parents that the innermost secretive thoughts people had would be revealed by God through Jesus. Many would reject Jesus and His message, for one reason or another. And these thoughts would determine whether they rose in victory or fell in defeat.

When we come into contact with Jesus, just as these people would, it’s not about what we’ve done in the past. It’s about what we do with the knowledge of our past. Do we recognize it and acknowledge it as sin? Sin against our Holy God? Or do we harden our heart and minds, justifying our sins and reject what Jesus offers?

The rise and fall of many. The difference is Jesus.

Are you petrified of what will be revealed about you? Or have you turned it over to God and realized that in Him, our sins have been cast out?

Psalm 103:11-12

“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”