March 16
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"This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
During Christmas we hear someone saw fairly often that 'we should not just celebrate Christ's birth at Christmas'. Very true. Here is an opportunity to remember the miracle and glory of Christmas at a time far from December 25. In this passage Mary is told who exactly her child is to become. Jesus came into this world to rescue from sin and to draw a sharp line between those who are with him and who are against him. The cross would be the great statement of this mission. The cross is where we find him or it is where we are judged by him. In this time of lent we can remember that Jesus came into this world to die, but not just to die but to conquer death and be resurrected!
When you read today's passage from the Psalm, also remember that there are many Psalms where God's people are crying out to be vindicated, for the enemies of God to be punished. This also helps us to remember that there is a great dividing line. Those who follow the living saviour will have the victory over the enemies of God.
Well said, friend Matt.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that gets me from today's Psalm is that David was concerned about his opponents spewing out "swords from their lips" in verse 7. We really need to pay attention to how our words cut people.