Luke 2:34-35
34And 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–
35And a sword will pierce through your own soul also–that the secret thoughts and purposes of many hearts may be brought out and disclosed.
Yesterday we looked at verse 34 and discovered the Up and Down life that Jesus modeled as a sign to us all. If we are to live in the power of His Resurrection then we must embrace the work of the Cross in our lives. No Death, no Resurrection. That is why it is a sign to be opposed. People want the power, but they want a short cut to get there. The problem is, there are no short cuts.
The question is, how does God accomplish the Cross in our lives. What can we expect? Ultimately, the cross is anything that reduces us to faith, but one of the primary ways of God is to pierce our souls, as is spoken of about Mary in verse 35. Repentance is a form of death, and God wants the freedom to reveal those things in us that have to be surrendered to the Cross, even if it pierces our soul. He wants to even get down to our secret thoughts and purposes. That can be very painful. It’s one thing for the Holy Spirit to convict us of our deeds, but when we get so serious about holiness that we allow Him to reveal our secret thoughts, then we are ready to live in the thick Glory of God, and by the liberating and life changing Power of God.
Sometimes to face our sin at that level can bring great pain as we mourn the hideousness of our flesh. Soul piercing conviction is a crucifixion. It’s difficult to face the truth about our sin. We even fear owning what we clearly see, because we are afraid God will reject us, so we try to defend and explain away the truth. Don’t be afraid. The truth will set you free; even the truth about your sin. God doesn’t reveal sin so He can reject you. He already knew about it before He let you in on it. He reveals sin so that He can cleanse you and fill you with a new measure of the Holy Spirit; a new measure of Resurrection life and power.
I don’t mind the piercing and the mourning, because I know forgiveness and filling follow. I want MORE no matter what I have to lose. You might ask, “How do I start.” It’s very simple. Just tell Him you want to live Resurrection life so bad that He can pull out the Sword. Tell Him you are willing to face anything and everything with no more excuses or explanations.
Christ without Limit, requires the Cross without Limit. Life without Limit, requires Loss without Limit. That’s what Paul said in Philippians 3. He said he suffered the loss of all things that he might gain Christ. Pretty good trade if you ask me. You’ll never lose when trading your rags for His riches.
Have a great day.