Simeon predicted that the lot...
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Simeon predicted that the lot of the baby he took up in his arms and the mother he blessed would not be easy. Jesus would challenge the status quo. His mother's heart would be pierced by what the establishment would do to retaliate against Jesus' challenge.
Simeon's predictions were true. But Simeon never foresaw that Jesus would be kidnapped and held ransom for five cases of beer! That's exactly what happened in December, 1984, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Pranksters took the figurine of Jesus from a Nativity scene and left a ransom note demanding the beer. People were very upset. The pranksters relented and returned Jesus with another note --this one saying "you all got no sense of humor." Maybe not. Maybe the incident should have been laughed off. But, in a world that constantly disrespects the person and teaching of Jesus, perhaps this prank was going a little too far. The kind of reverence for Jesus demonstrated by Simeon would be a refreshing change. We need more of that --and less of irreverent ridicule.
Simeon's predictions were true. But Simeon never foresaw that Jesus would be kidnapped and held ransom for five cases of beer! That's exactly what happened in December, 1984, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Pranksters took the figurine of Jesus from a Nativity scene and left a ransom note demanding the beer. People were very upset. The pranksters relented and returned Jesus with another note --this one saying "you all got no sense of humor." Maybe not. Maybe the incident should have been laughed off. But, in a world that constantly disrespects the person and teaching of Jesus, perhaps this prank was going a little too far. The kind of reverence for Jesus demonstrated by Simeon would be a refreshing change. We need more of that --and less of irreverent ridicule.
