Mary’s Conundrum

“And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, 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), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.'” Luke 2:34

December 20, 2022

We are faced with them in the English language. For example, What has four eyes but can’t see? The Mississippi. We are talking about conundrums. In a more serious vein, how was Mary to understand that her new baby was to be a decision-making dividing line in lsrael, either to be judged for sinful arrogance or to be saved by believing in Him? Add to this that baby Jesus was born to be a sign as God among men rejected and hated. A lot of hurt and grief were in Mary’s future. We know by hindsight. Mary came to learn over time. She would stand broken hearted looking at her son dying a horrible, humiliating death on a Roman cross. Mary had to have been somewhat puzzled by Simeon’s words as to the full significance of the life of her son. She and Joseph, as well as Simeon, were part of a godly remnant in Israel who were anticipating God’s promised Messiah. But it would take time and unfolding circumstances to realize the full meaning of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Mary had a special child. It required reflection and meditation on the meaning of what God said through Simeon, the angels, and Anna (Lk. 2:38). Jesus was to be a great divider, for He would reveal the hearts of sinful men. 

We can be puzzled by the plan of God even though we have the finished revelation of God in the Bible. Yet, we wonder, why do bad things happen to us, and why do they happen when they do? Our faith rests upon what God has revealed about Himself as absolutely trustworthy. We are finite. We don’t know enough. Faith learns to wait on God.

H