Every mother wants the world to dote on their new baby, especially their firstborn.   Because of the inexplicable circumstances of Jesus’ birth, Mary was denied the dotage of friends and family.  But God sent shepherds and sages and Simeon to adore Jesus in his infancy.   No doubt, Mary was thankful for Simeon’s joy at taking the Lord Jesus in his aged arms, yet Simeon’s words contained a dire and foreboding prophecy for this young mother — her precious baby was set for the rising and falling of many in Israel and as a sign that would be opposed and a sword would pierce her own soul too.    Simeon had been waiting for the consolation of Israel and, no doubt, associated the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7 with the babe in Mary’s arms.   Join Pastor Wheeler as he unfolds this terrible and wonderful prophecy of our Savior from the prophet Zechariah which offers hope to broken and weary sinners.

Get the 12-23-2012 Bulletin and listen to “Born to Die”, Zechariah 13:7.