Feel-Good Story?

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against…" Luke 2:34


Some people and some things that are said make us all feel good. Let me tell you the first example I thought of: Jackie DeShanon’s 1965 hit “What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love.” Most people think accounts of Jesus’ birth belong in that same category. Sweet little baby with angels, shepherds and wise men all around: what’s not to feel good about?

However, the passage we read from Luke reflects something else. The elderly Simeon prophesies that this child-to-become-a-man will cause the falling and the rising of many. There will be something about his message that will lead some to triumph but others to tragedy.


He offers good news to anyone and everyone, but not everyone will rise because not everyone will welcome the message of his kingdom. Some will be sure that they have a better way. They will either find him offensive or irrelevant. They will speak against him or ignore him. Though he came to condemn no one, on the last day the words he has spoken will judge them (John 12:48). If they protest the unfairness of this, they will surely be reminded that they had a choice and they rejected God’s extravagant generosity. While others rise, they will fall.

Jackie DeShannon had a feel-good song that became a big hit. The story of Jesus belongs in a different genre.