Christ is a sign to be spoken against. All through His ministry wicked men ridiculed and scorned Him. As He hung on the cross for our sins, they mocked His sacrifice and mighty power to save.
Old Simeon foretold Christ's mocking at the temple when Mary and Joseph brought Him there.
God had him do so that His people might understand the mistreatment of Christ when it happened. Christ was mocked so that the hearts of many might be revealed.
The people who belittled His work and offering for sin showed themselves to be self-righteous sinners who really had no trust in God.
Only those who trust in Jesus hold Him in true reverence and high esteem.
Note that Simeon addressed others than the Savior on this matter, because the Lord Jesus already knew how He would be treated by this world.
Indeed, almost a thousand year prior to His conception, Christ had articulated the very words of abuse and scorn that would be flung at Him. He had already marked the gloating against Him, the false accusations, the derogatory remarks. These are recorded, from the mouth of Jesus, in the Psalms, often in the context of Messiah's dying for our sin. He knew that He would be despised and rejected of men!
How gentle was the King of Glory with His persecutors! He rebuked them, He prayed for them, but He never permitted any violence against them, because He came to save, not to judge.
But Christ warned that one day He would judge those who opposed Him. Psalm 2 outlines the Father's appointing His Son to rule over the world, no matter how much it rebels against Him.
In truth, the evil deeds done and words spoken against Christ could never stop God from appointing Him King!
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John Pittman Hey was born in 1961 in Jackson, Mississippi, to Godly parents who from the beginning raised him in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. With child-like faith he came to Christ on his fourth birthday at his mother's knee. He received his education at church...