Living Stones – Saturday, December 30, 2017
Contradictions
Luke 2:35
“yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also”
Simeon made a prophetic declaration, one of many made in the early chapters of Luke and Matthew as they weaved the birth narrative into the historical, religious, cultural, social and economic tapestry of that place and time.
Simeon’s prophetic word was, however troubling in nature and seemingly contradictory to everything else Joseph and Mary had heard so far in this unexpected and unprecedented ride they were on.
Here is what Gabriel told Mary about the Child, “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.” Luke 1:32. And the angels told the shepherds, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” Luke 2:10. And they sang, “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14
Where then is Simeon getting off with “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”?
It is no surprise, therefore, that after all that they had experienced that Joseph and Mary still seem taken aback by Simeon’s prophetic declarations, “Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.” Luke 2:33. This is not what they signed up for. It started out all nice and now they are being given a dose of harsh reality. The angels and the shepherds told them the facts but Simeon told them what in Guyana we call the ‘honest truth.’ The ‘honest truth’ is truth unvarnished, it is raw, cold, and it is challenging.
Jesus Himself, later, seemed to be undermining the image of the Prince of Peace with this declaration in Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” This declaration seems to be a direct contradiction to the promise of the angels that He would bring “on earth peace.” After this declaration, Jesus launches into series of conflicts that He’ll cause starting in the most intimate relationships.
We, therefore, need to recognise that friendship with Jesus naturally means conflict with the world. While we, through the Prince of Peace, have peace with God, we will be in conflict with God’s enemies. Often, in our lives as Christians, we have to face apparent contradictions. Many of these contradictions are caused by our imposing a meaning or interpretation on the Scripture, or an interpretation we have been sold, without carefully examining what the Scriptures actually teach about Him.
In other cases, our picture is incomplete or unbalanced. The predicted Messiah is indeed the Prince of Peace, but He is also the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. These two are not in contradiction to each other, they are a part of the whole.
This week I attended a performance by the Woodside Choir in Guyana, they performed Heather Sorenson’s Cantata “Little Lion, Little Lamb.” This “major new seasonal work, is composed in a pleasing blend of traditional and blended choral stylings, weaving the historic symbolism of both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God into the Christmas Story.”
The Narrators, after the Overture and first choral piece, capture the essence of supposed contradiction; “Lion of Judah, Lamb of God. These two names of Christ seem to be contradictory in character. And yet, they beautifully describe how our saviour relates to us, without either opposing or diminishing the other.”
When Simeon picked up the Baby he was a Little Lamb, “A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” Luke 2:32. But when Simeon picked up the Baby he was also a Little Lion, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:34-35
We tend to take one attribute of Jesus and reinforce it as we go so that Baby Jesus becomes “Gentle Jesus meek and mild.” As a result of this reinforced soft image of Jesus, we leave no room for a Jesus who is tough enough for our biggest fights.
We must be careful to not find ourselves in a place where the Jesus we think of is inadequate to the challenges before us. “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:8-10
Think on these things:
- When you think of Jesus what image comes to mind and can you reconcile that image with the Bible?
- Have you ever experienced any conflict in your family or in other relationships on account of your faith in Jesus Christ?
- How could you share a more balanced picture of who Jesus really is?
Prayer focus:
Let us pray today that we would through our study of the Scriptures develop a balanced picture of Jesus and reflect that in our relationship with Him and in how we present Him to the world.
In His Grace
Pastor Alex
