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The Cross Is Not Neutral
The Fault Line of Jesus
When Mary and Joseph took young Jesus to the temple, they didn’t know that Simeon, a righteous man, would be waiting there for him. The Holy Spirit had told Simeon that he would not die before he saw the “Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:26). Simeon took Jesus in his arms. What an amazing scene. Imagine being chosen by God to hold the young Messiah in your arms! As he held Jesus, Simeon spoke these words:
Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel. (Luke 2:29–32)
After Simeon spoke his words of blessing, worship, and prophecy, he turned to Mary and said, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34–35). These would have been hard and confusing words for the young mother of the Messiah to hear.
Everyday Gospel Christmas Devotional
Paul David Tripp
Paul David Tripp offers 25 selected Christmas readings, adapted from his book Everyday Gospel, with study questions to help readers reflect on Scripture’s entire redemption story during the month of December.
Simeon captured the inescapable truth about the identity, person, and work of Jesus.
When you are presented with the truth of Christ’s birth, God’s declaration of who he is, the testimony of his miracles and ministry, and his own self-testimony, you cannot be neutral about Jesus. Spiritually, you either rise or fall with your response to him. It is not enough to say he was a good prophet and teacher. You either say he is the Messiah Savior and bow before him and cry out for his grace, or you reject him and your need for his grace. You either worship him, or you mock him. You either confess your need for him, or you turn in independence away from him.
There is no neutrality in the shadow of the cross.
The great line that divides humanity is not political, economic, social, or ethnic. No, the great fault line is Jesus. When Simeon told Mary that a sword would pierce her soul, he was, of course, speaking of Calvary, when Mary would watch as a spear pierced the side of her Messiah son. What agony awaited this young mother.
The cross of Jesus either is your hope in this life and the one to come, or it represents the death of a man you do not love and do not need. There is no neutrality in the shadow of the cross.
So, today, what will you do with Jesus? Will you bow in worship and gratitude, or will you take life in your own hands and walk away?
This article is adapted from the Everyday Gospel Christmas Devotional by Paul David Tripp.
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