A Sword Will Pierce Your Soul

A Sword Will Pierce Your Soul

Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, “This child will be rejected by many in Israel, and it will be their undoing. But he will be the greatest joy to many others. Thus, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” –Luke 2:34-35

My husband, David, vividly remembers hearing a chapel speaker in Bible college say that he had come to the conclusion that God cannot use someone significantly until that person has been hurt deeply. David says he responded with very mixed emotions. While a part of him knew that this was likely the truth, it was a truth he resisted strongly. There was a part of him that couldn’t help but say, “Well, then, I’m not sure I want to be used.”

In Luke 1, we read Mary’s beautiful and hopeful song of praise as it began to sink in that she was going to be the mother of the Messiah. “For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me,” she sang (verse 49). She was full of hope for the future and the joy of being chosen and used by God to bear his Son.

Then, after Jesus was born, she took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. There Simeon explained to Mary that while Jesus would be accepted by many, more would reject him. He would cause their hardness of heart toward God to be exposed. And then perhaps Simeon looked deep into Mary’s eyes and said with tears in his own, “A sword will pierce your very soul.”

Could he see that day coming when Mary would stand at the foot of the cross and see her son die? Did Mary think of Simeon’s words as she watched the soldier plunge his spear into Jesus’ side to make sure he was dead?

Perhaps you know what it feels like for a sword to pierce your very soul, to experience deep pain that seems to cut ruthlessly and defy the senses. If so, you are in good company. And perhaps this soul pain is something that will make you uniquely usable to God to accomplish his purpose in the world and in your life. Do you want to be used?

Lord, I’ve been pierced to my very soul, and I really didn’t know I could hurt this deeply. And so at this point, if I have to go through this, please don’t let this pain be wasted in my life. Use it. Use me.

DIGGING DEEPER