To Fall or Not to Fall
Scripture: Luke 2:33-35
" 33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
Observations:
When Jesus was still an infant, his parents took him into the Temple where they ran into a godly old man named Simeon who immediately recognized something special about their son. He told them that Jesus, as God's Messiah, would be the instrument of God's salvation; however, he also predicted that part of his destiny would also cause many Israelites to fall. How could something so good sent to accomplish God's purpose of saving the world produce such negative results? Because as the "door" of God's salvation (John 10:9) every person must make his own entrace in order to experience it for himself. From God's perspective people are either IN or OUT. While the door has been opened for all who choose to enter, sadly many will never bother and will end up among the fallen. Jesus also predicted about himself that he was "‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 18 Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on” (Luke 20:18). Jesus Himself forces everyone to choose a side. However, those unwilling to embrace Him consequently forfeit God's salvation and seal their own fate.
Application:
As believers in Christ we have a very significant responsiblity- to offer the world the opportunity to embrace Christ or to reject Him. This is no easy task when you consider that their entrance into God's Kingdom is totally dependent upon whether or not they accept or stumble over the truth of Christ. While the world around is ultimately personally responsible for their own decision, we also have been commissoned to see that everyone has the opportunity to do so. We should always be aware of that fact as we strive to live out our witness before others who have yet to enter God's Kingdom in light of the fact that eternal destinies are at stake depending on how well we represent an already difficult "obstacle" that will cause some people to miss out on a relationship with God. We should se it as our personal responsiblity to part of the solution rather than just another reason someone else ended up rejecting Christ.
Prayer:
Father, we understand the importance of sharing Christ with others. Help us today to be the kind of people who cause others to want to know You rather than an excuse not to. Live through us today and draw lose people into Your Kingdom. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
" 33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
Observations:
When Jesus was still an infant, his parents took him into the Temple where they ran into a godly old man named Simeon who immediately recognized something special about their son. He told them that Jesus, as God's Messiah, would be the instrument of God's salvation; however, he also predicted that part of his destiny would also cause many Israelites to fall. How could something so good sent to accomplish God's purpose of saving the world produce such negative results? Because as the "door" of God's salvation (John 10:9) every person must make his own entrace in order to experience it for himself. From God's perspective people are either IN or OUT. While the door has been opened for all who choose to enter, sadly many will never bother and will end up among the fallen. Jesus also predicted about himself that he was "‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 18 Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on” (Luke 20:18). Jesus Himself forces everyone to choose a side. However, those unwilling to embrace Him consequently forfeit God's salvation and seal their own fate.
Application:
As believers in Christ we have a very significant responsiblity- to offer the world the opportunity to embrace Christ or to reject Him. This is no easy task when you consider that their entrance into God's Kingdom is totally dependent upon whether or not they accept or stumble over the truth of Christ. While the world around is ultimately personally responsible for their own decision, we also have been commissoned to see that everyone has the opportunity to do so. We should always be aware of that fact as we strive to live out our witness before others who have yet to enter God's Kingdom in light of the fact that eternal destinies are at stake depending on how well we represent an already difficult "obstacle" that will cause some people to miss out on a relationship with God. We should se it as our personal responsiblity to part of the solution rather than just another reason someone else ended up rejecting Christ.
Prayer:
Father, we understand the importance of sharing Christ with others. Help us today to be the kind of people who cause others to want to know You rather than an excuse not to. Live through us today and draw lose people into Your Kingdom. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
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