Verse of the week

'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.' Luke 2:34-35

Shortly after Jesus' birth, he was taken to Jerusalem, where an old prophet called Simeon met the baby Christ and told Mary these words. They're a great reminder to us, as well as to Mary and Joseph, that Jesus' mission was not to win a popularity contest, or to be successful in worldly terms. With all the events of his birth, the angels and the shepherds and the excitement, it's easy for us to forget the great challenge that God's entry into his creation represents.
And it's particularly easy at Christmas for us to see the nativity story as being all sweetness and light, all happiness and good news for everyone. But in fact this baby, Jesus, has come to cause many to fall, and this baby, Jesus, will be spoken against throughout his life, most notably at its end when he will be hoisted onto a wooden cross by those who hate him.
This Christmas, the thoughts of many hearts have been revealed - those who know in their heart that that baby is their Lord and Saviour, and live for him; those who pretended to worship him for a couple of days, but only on their own terms, and speak against him when he challenges them; those who have ignored him altogether.
So let us ask God to help us throughout the year to be those who are raised up by Jesus, through his life, death and resurrection. Let us ask God to protect us from speaking against Jesus' words to us in the Bible. And let us ask God to make the thoughts of our hearts worthy to be revealed by Jesus, both as we live by his word today and when he returns to judge us at the last day.