“And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set or opposed as a tree cut down at the root with an axe and for the rising standing on their feet again of many in Israel; for a sign which shall be spoken against:” Commentary: The parallel might be the stone that the builders rejected! The chief corner stone is rejected even though the foundation or life itself is measured from the chief corner stone! When I rejected Christ I was living in a fallen state! Hopelessly lost to my own schemes! I thought I was smarter than God! Before Christ my sin was piled up one upon another bringing conflict with God and man! After Christ I found a new way of living not by my old nature but a new way guilt free! Born again! No condemnation! Forgiven! Then I could forgive others! What freedom! I rose and stood to my feet no longer living in shame but accepted of the beloved! The world will mock me and condemn me yet now my administrator is King over my redemptive state! Love lifted me as the old hymn says! Now I want to share this gold mine mother load with others! Share his love with others with a greater passion than I ever did rejecting him! Others can rise above their sin! Others can have a hope beyond the grave! Born again! All things become new! Old things are passed away! A new creation in Christ! A new day with the old ways forgiven with a clean slate and no criminal record recorded against me! Pardoned! By my judge is judge over the living and the dead! Yesterday is gone and a hope for today and forever! Yes we all began this life speaking against Christ! It might be a sware word or thought or action against God and his Word! A crime against man! Yet many were raised up by him and now we speak for him and live with him in this earthly walk preparing ourselves and others to worship him today and forever on earth and in heaven! James & Hamsa Sasse. IndiaJesusLovesYou.com