Luke 2:34-35 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

As I read this just now it struck me that this is a beautiful example of New Testament prophecy. There is no thundering, “Thus sayeth the Lord” here, but a gentle speaking out of what the Lord was saying. It’s not that what was said was necessarily received as good news – who wants to be told a sword will pierce their heart? – but I feel it was spoken in a conversational tone, and was private to Mary and Joseph. Parenthetically, Joseph was not told of emotional suffering because the Lord already planned to take him home before Jesus started His ministry. We get tied in knots over the timing of people’s deaths, when sometimes God is sparing them junk they don’t need to go through. This isn’t euthanasia, which is man deciding what is best for someone, but God knowing what is best. This particular prophecy is very interesting. The Japanese renders it as “many in Israel will fall and then rise,” which can be applied on several different levels. We have to recognize that we are nothing before we can receive adoption as children of God. (Romans 8:23) Also in the Japanese, it says that Mary’s heart would be pierced “in order that the thoughts of many hearts would be revealed.” The crucifixion of Jesus indeed forces people to take sides, to decide where they stand. Mary was comforted in the best possible way after her anguish, and I’m sure she felt it was more than worth it to have been instrumental in the salvation of mankind.

I can really see myself in Simeon’s place here. I am not an Ephesians 4 prophet, but I have been used in prophecy many times over the years, and “The Lord says” has not often been part of it. I am to expect the Lord to speak through me in all sorts of circumstances, whether those hearing recognize it’s the Lord or not, but I am never to think that makes me “superior” in any way to those to whom I am speaking. God wants His truth to go to “the ends of the earth” (that’s a frequent phrase in the Bible) and I am to be available as one channel of that. He has reminded me on many occasions that I am to hear and apply what He says through me to my own life. James’ famous admonition to be a “doer of the Word” (James 1:22) applies doubly when I’m the one speaking that Word! I have seen major ministries crumble over this very issue. I must be honest with myself and honest with my God, so that I will not fall into the traps of the liar. (John 8:44)

Father, thank You indeed for the privilege of speaking Your Word and Your words, in the pulpit and out of it. May I be faithful to speak and to obey, for the blessing of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!