Advent Devotional: Tuesday, December 18

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against...” (Luke 2:34)

We should never be discouraged when people reject and even scoff at the Gospel. The Cross is a sign which is spoken against: to Jews it is a stumbling block; to Greeks it is foolishness. We sometimes forget how offensive the message was to us at first - that we are incapable of saving ourselves through human effort; that Christ had to die to make us fit for God's Presence.

Father, we know that some will be hostile to the Word of Grace. Give us strength not to shrink back or be intimidated when some reject your Son. For we know that if we do speak, some will indeed embrace Jesus and receive the eternal life He brings!