What do you have to say about Jesus? From the moment he was born to over two thousand years later, he has not ceased to be a topic of conversation. There is no one else who can claim such celebrity.
What has been said about him? You name it, it’s been said:
- Prophet
- Priest
- King
- Savior
- Teacher
- Lord and Master
- Son of God
- Son of the Devil
- Blasphemer
- Deceiver
- and on and on it goes.
A very old man told us what to expect. His name was Simeon, and when he saw the child, he said,
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.*
It was obvious from the beginning that Jesus would be denounced, spoken against. Why? Because his birth had been heralded by the angels, who told a rag-tag group of shepherds that a Savior had been born. That was news that spread, for sure, far beyond the borders of that little town of Bethlehem, and not everyone believed it.
Simeon’s words are enlightening, and I’d never thought of them in such a way before. Not only did he say that Jesus was a sign that would be spoken against, but he said that whatever was spoken of him revealed the heart of the speaker.
Wow, how true is that. Think about it.
If I say Jesus is just a man, a teacher or a charlatan, then it’s easy to see that I don’t believe in him and my heart is cold toward him.
If I say that Jesus is God’s Son and Savior of the world, then it reveals that my heart has been open to him and received him in.
It’s either one or the other — there is no middle road with Jesus.
So, back to my question this Christmas morning — What do you have to say about Jesus?
Grace and Peace
Luke 2:34-35 (NIV)