During Advent we have been giving attention to the opening chapters of Matthew, and on Christmas day itself we had a series of readings and a message based on some of the material in the opening section of Luke's gospel. This week we return to Luke, to a prophetic word given by Simeon that the child he held in his arms was appointed for the rise and fall of many, and a sign to be spoken against. The Bible readings will be Luke 2: 21-38 and Matt. 21:33-46. As you can see, the first reading incorporates Simeon's prophecy, and the latter includes Jesus' own words that indicate he knew that he would be rejected as the building stone, but that he would become the Chief corner stone. Here Jesus quotes from Psalm 118:22ff. This passage (and a similar one from Is. 8:14f.) are quoted or alluded to many times in the NT ( e.g. Mark 12:10; Luke 20:18; Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:4ff; Rom. 9:32f.; etc.) This indicates that the apostolic preachers understood that Jesus would always be both a stumbling stone and offence, as well as the corner stone of the Church. Importantly, he is both of these things, all of the time! On Sunday morning we want to give attention to these things, particularly as we stand on the threshold of a new year.
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Rev. Dr Noel Due is a Lutheran pastor, author and theological educator with extensive teaching and preaching experience in Australia, Scotland, India and elsewhere. He is the author of New Life: New Love, Live in Liberty: The Spiritual Message of Galatians, Embracing God as...
