Day 15: Jesus Makes You Think

I am preparing for the celebration of Christmas this Advent through the Journey to Bethlehem, a free online Advent guide from Scripture Union USA. This is day 15 of the 26 day journey.

Day 15 of the Journey to Bethlehem is titled The Child’s Future.

Read Luke 2:33–40 | (ESV)

The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 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." (Luke 2:33-35)

As Simeon held the child Jesus and spoke to his parents he predicts both the turmoil and joy Jesus will bring to Israel. I suspect He thought he was speaking only of his immediate time but as we now know from the rest of the Bible and world history this prediction went well beyond his time, and right into ours.

Simeon saw that this child would shake up his world and peoples lives. In predicting this Simeon said "that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed."

Whether in his time or our time Jesus makes you think. His birth, His life, His actions, His words, His death, His resurrection. He stirs up your thoughts about your own life and existence. He makes you think, think deep. Jesus reveals your inner thoughts. Jesus helps you see yourself and the world as it really is -broken and messed up.

The beautiful thing that we learn from the rest of the story is Jesus is not only the reveal-er but also the remedy. Jesus fixes our messed up thoughts, lives, and world.

Thank you Jesus for revealing the thoughts of my heart so that I understand my need for a remedy, THE REMEDY.

P.S. Here is a link to the previous days of my Journey to Bethlehem.