“…for a sign that is spoken against.”
Simeon was holding the baby Jesus who would have been about 4-6 weeks old. As Joseph and Mary brought the baby into the temple in Jerusalem, Simeon had asked to hold the baby.
Then Simeon blessed God for the birth of this baby, God’s salvation for the Gentiles and the Jews. Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was being said to them concerning this newborn baby.
Then Simeon continued:
(Amplified) Luke 2:34 “And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against.”
This baby, Messiah, the Anointed One of God came into a difficult world of sin – He would live in that world without sinning (He was, and is, God and God cannot sin). Jesus would die for the sins of everyone…does this mean that all will eventually go to heaven? I don’t believe that is what God’s word says or what Jesus taught.
This baby, Messiah, would be opposed by many in Israel…the Pharisees and Sadducees and other religious leaders would oppose Him, they would actively speak against Him.
How do you and I oppose Jesus today? Before believing that I needed Jesus to be my Savior, I was opposing Him.
When I do not live in yieldedness to God and His word, I am opposing Him. Jesus is the very foundation stone of the Jewish faith in the living God. He was opposed, spoken against in the times in which He lived and He is spoken against today.
When God’s word is ‘pooh-poohed’, neglected, rejected, put down, and not believed, it is once again opposing Jesus.
Have you listened to yourself lately? Are you opposing Jesus in the way you think, act or believe?
You and I are responsible before God and we will be held accountable.