The Prophecy of Pain

As the crowd mills about the porch of the temple, an elderly man, embracing an infant, speaks to the young parents. Simeon has astounded them with his prophetic words which identified their baby as the Lord's salvation. He now blesses the parents but locks eyes with Mary and continues to prophecy a sober message. The Child will bring men to a crisis: they will either eternally fall or rise in response to Him. He will be opposed & Mary herself will know a piercing pain. Men's hearts will be exposed by this saving light. It is a prophecy of judgment. Jesus will cause division among men. None will be neutral: they will either receive His salvation or eternally fall because of Him. The issues of Final Judgment are already evidencing themselves in men's reactions to Jesus. What is your reaction?