The Oxford Dictionary defines “faithful” as “remaining loyal and steadfast.” Indeed, faithfulness requires that we do not waiver and that we stay true to the people or the values that we claim to be faithful to. Scripture reveals that God is looking for those who are faithful to Him, regardless of their circumstances and outcomes. Mary, the mother of Jesus, demonstrated this kind of faithfulness when God chose her to give birth to Jesus and raise Him here on this Earth.
After Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to God the Father in the temple (verse 27). A man named Simeon was led to the temple that same day by the Holy Spirit. Scripture describes Simeon as “righteous and devout” and “eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come” (verse 25). When Simeon saw Jesus, he praised God, knowing that He had met the Messiah. At the end of their encounter, Simeon said to Mary, "This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fail, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul" (verses 34-35). Simeon prophesied that as Jesus' mother, Mary would experience deep pain. We know that this prophecy was fulfilled, for Mary saw Jesus rejected by many, mocked, and ultimately crucified on the cross. Through it all, Mary remained faithful.
Mary’s faithfulness serves as an example for us to follow. Although Mary's pain and heartache were different from ours, we, too, experience pain and heartache in this world. The question is, will we remain faithful? Will we keep following Jesus? May each one of us follow Him faithfully until the very end, knowing that in Him we find life eternal.
Is there an area of your life where you have been wavering in faithfulness to God? Maybe you have been giving into a sin that you know breaks His heart. Perhaps you have not stood up for Him and your faith in a conversation with those who do not know Christ. Maybe you have simply made time with Him less of a priority. Commit today to be faithful, choosing to give over that area to God.
1At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.
22 Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” 24 So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised.
30 I have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared for all people.
32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
