JESUS . . . GOD’S SON OUR SAVIOR (His Heart)

Even when Mary and Joseph had presented the infant Jesus at the Temple as the Law required for the firstborn, old Simeon who rejoiced to see with his own eyes the long-promised Messiah, this faithful servant of God, prophesied to Mary a seemingly tragic end for the blessed child. And so it came to be. Mary, watching her son crucified and pierced to the heart with a spear, surely recalled the forewarning she had received so many years ago. Oh, the depths of God’s love that He should give His heart for ours.

HIS HEART

The soldier who pierced His heart
has fulfilled the prophet’s vision,
Simeon’s Temple warning
must haunt sweet Mary mourning,
her heart sword pierced, she weeps—
His heart spear pierced, so deep.

His heart they burst asunder—
why hate for love, I wonder?
That we should spit at goodness,
crucify our happiness
and burst His broken heart—
He just took the sinner’s part.

Is such a heart too pure
to survive earth’s atmosphere
where pride and hatred thrive
while holiness survives
awaiting our Messiah
who brings God’s cleansing fire?

M.S.
Easter 2006

And Simeon blessed them
and said to Mary his mother,
”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