December 7,2019
My sweet little great nephew is about 11 years old. He’s in chess club this year for the first time. The other day, he beat another boy so fast, the boy started to cry. Little Gabe quickly said “Don't worry, life is just like that sometimes it’s not always good.”
And for sure, life isn’t always good. After Jesus was born, the Bible tells us that Mary and Joseph did all that was required by law. Which means they took him to the temple on the eighth day to be circumcised and they purchased an offering. They didn’t have enough money for a lamb so they took the offering of the poor—two birds. When they handed the baby Jesús to the Priest Simeon, he was overcome.
““At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah...He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”...Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.””
Luke 2:25-26, 28-32, 34-35 NLT
Talk about conflicted emotions! Don’t you know Mary was delighted by the confirmation of her son as the Messiah but I’m sure she thought “Just when I thought the worst was behind me you’re telling me that a sword is going to pierce my very soul?” Sometimes life is not always good. I’m sure there were times of great joy and wonderful blessings raising Jesus, but every lash, every nail, every drop of blood, His mama felt it too. Sometimes life is tough. And sometimes, it is glorious. Like three days later when she found out he had conquered death and the grave? That made it worth all the heart ache all the tears and all the soul piercing. It was worth it all. Her Son became her Savior.
Lord Jesus how can we ever thank you for all you have done for us? We praise you and worship you and we want to lay all we have before you. Teach us to be more like you Jesus and to love each other as you love us. How your grace can continue to cover us when we clearly don’t deserve it takes our breath away. Thank you for your mercy. We pray that the hope we have for tomorrow change the way we live today. You are holy and you are good. Amen and amen.
Love you dear one,
Pam
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