Sermon for the First Sunday after Christmas The Sword Pierces Whom It Will Pierce
Theme: Not “Why does it have to be this way?” but “amen” and “May it be to me according to your Word.” Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ! In today’s Gospel, Simeon says to the Virgin Mary, “A sword will pierce through your own soul also.” Dear Christian friends, A few months prior to today’s Gospel, the angel Gabriel came to visit Mary. In his sermon to Mary, the angel said, You will conceive in your womb and bear a son. … the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be called holy—the Son of God (Luke 1:31, 35). Do you remember how Mary responded? “Let it be to me according to your Word.” Hold tightly to those Words, Christians. The Words, “Let it be to me according to your Word,” will not only help you understand the weight of today’s Gospel, but the same Words will give you a way to cope with your everyday sorrows and troubles. “Let it be to me according to your Word.” Essentially Mary said, in response Gabriel’s sermon, “Amen. Let it be so.” Not long after the angel’s visit, Mary grabbed her suitcase and went to the hill country for a visit with Elizabeth, who was in her sixth month of pregnancy with John the Baptist. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit [which means Elizabeth spoke prophetically] and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (Luke 1:42, 45). What could Mary have said to that, other than another joyous “amen” and another faith-filled “Let it be to me according to your Word”? How could Mary not have said these Words during that warm and happy time of prenatal hope and joyous anticipation? Make good use of those Words during your happy times, dear saints. Those Words are an excellent way for you to respond when your God gives you both Good News and happy things · When you hear the absolution, when you hear the assurance of God’s care and provision for you every day, when you receive the body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, think of Mary’s Words. Say with Mary, in response to the cheerful news of all of God’s promises to you, “Let it be to me according to your Word.” · At the birth of a child in your family, at a job promotion, at the reconciliation of a broken relationship, at a good health report, at your children’s successes in life, and in all the brightest times of your life, make use of Mary’s Words as a way of speaking thanks and praise to the Father of heavenly lights: “Let it be to me according to your Word.” Amen. Let it be so. After you have rejoiced in your pleasures from God, learn from today’s Gospel that Mary’s Words will serve you well in the shadows, just as faithfully as they do in the sunshine. After Gabriel and Elizabeth say what they were given to say to Mary, someone else speaks here in today’s Gospel. The message to Mary is not quite so overflowing with sparkle and delight this time. This man Simeon is not Gabriel, but he is angelic nevertheless. Simeon preaches and delivers the Words of God to Mary: “A sword will pierce through your own soul also.” Gone is the personal astonishment that Mary would be the one chosen from among all women to bear God into birth (Luke 1:42). Gone is the maternal giddiness she shared with Elizabeth at the baby shower. The rejoicing angels and the appreciative shepherds are now only memories for her to treasure and ponder in her heart (Luke 2:19). Gone is everything except for a new Baby and a sermon from an old man: “This Child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also.” What in the world can Mary say to that? You can almost see her disconcerted eyes flit back and forth between Simon and Joseph and the Baby as she tries to process what she has just heard. Mary might not have fully understood what Simeon meant by a sword piercing her soul, but it could not have sounded very good to her. Yet Mary has no choice. It is not like she can send her Baby back. Even if she could, why would she? This Child is the One who saves Mary and you and all His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). The things that sound bad will have to be taken and accepted along with the things that sound good. Some things will need to be suffered and endured for the sake of greater things that are promised and assured. “A sword will pierce through your own soul also.” There is only one way for Mary to respond to that, despite any misgiving or fear she might feel. Apart from this one response there is only abandonment and darkness and death: “Let it be to me according to your Word.” Amen. Let it be so. Make Mary’s Words you anchor and your insistence and your highest praise to God, even when your life enters the shadows, beloved of God. Regard your Baptism into Christ in the same way that Mary regarded the birth of her Son: Would you really go back? Why would you want to go back and to what would you return? The Christ who miraculously entered into you at your Baptism is the One—the only One—who saves you from your sins. Apart from Him there is no life. Apart from Him there is only abandonment and darkness and death. Only He has the Words of eternal life. Think of the swords that have pierced you. Think also of future swords yet to come. You have not suffered and you will not suffer a single thing in your life apart from your heavenly Father’s foreknowledge and permission. If you think that sounds unjust or unfair, think of Mary and know that you are not alone. She knows how the sword of a loving God feels. Many other Christians do, too. The things that sound bad will have to be taken and accepted along with the things that sound good. Some things will need to be suffered and endured for the sake of greater things that are promised and assured. Simeon said to Mary, “A sword will pierce through your own soul also.” There is only one way for Mary to respond to that, no matter how little she might understand and in spite of any fears she might feel. In what other way can you respond to the sword in your own life? Are you going to give the Baby back? Far more beneficial, far more profitable for you to endure with Mary in the one true faith: “Let it be to me according to your Word.” Amen. Let it be so. ___________________________________________________________________________ 'CAT 41 Sermons & Devotions' consists of works that are, unless otherwise noted, the copyrighted property of the various authors; posting of such gives members of this list implied consent for redistribution _with_ _attribution_ unless otherwise specified by the author, as well as for quoting or use in a congregational setting _with_or_without_attribution_. Note: This list's default reply is to the *poster*, NOT the list. Do *not* reply to the list with your comments, but to the poster. Subscribe? Send ANY note to: sermons...@cat41.org Unsubscribe? 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