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Lord's Day Liturgy

Falling or Rising

When Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple for her purification and their first-born offerings, they met a man named Simeon. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before he saw Israel’s Consolation, the Lord’s Christ (Luke 2:25-26). Simeon recognized the baby Jesus as the one, and took Him in his arms as he praised God. Then he told Mary,

Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is opposed…so that thoughts for many hearts will be revealed. (Luke 2:34-35)

The incarnation divided between those who rejected Him and those who received Him (and most of His own did not receive Him, John 1:11). That means not everyone is welcome at His table. But He invites all those who believe in Him to come.

From the earliest days God revealed hearts. It’s why many hated Jesus. It is only by the gracious work of the Spirit that we have come to Him. He opened our eyes to know that we need a Savior from our sin. He gave us hearts of flesh that sensed the distance that our sin took us away from Him. God, in Christ, divided the world, and by His great kindness delivered us to be built on the Cornerstone.