FALLING OR RISING
‘This child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel.’
The expression is somewhat figurative. It suggests a stone or step in a man’s pathway, which becomes to him, according as he treats it, either a stumbling-block over which he falls, or a means of elevation by which he rises to a higher plane, but so placed before him that the man cannot avoid it. We see this destiny fulfilled—
I. During our Lord’s earthly lifetime.—As He passed along through Judæa and Galilee He caused men to rise and fall. By His exposure of the hypocrisy and falsehood of the Pharisees and scribes, and by the malice and hatred, instead of penitence and humility, which the exposure produced, these fell from their proud position of assured sanctity. By His words of mercy and gentleness towards the sinful ones, who counted themselves lost and hopeless, He raised them out of their misery and shame, and gave them a place in His Kingdom. By His life and teachings and miracles He separated men into two classes—He drew and He repelled. He caused some to stumble; He made others to rise up and stand.
II. In the history of nations.—With many nations their actions towards Christ and Christ’s Gospel has determined their history. To one nation the Gospel has been a message of strength and freedom and progress; to another it has proved a source of weakness and decay.
III. In the souls and lives of men to-day.—We cannot separate ourselves from Christ. He stands before us in such a position that we cannot avoid Him, must take some action towards Him. Our characters take an impression, our lives receive a direction from Him; He gives us an impluse towards one destiny or the other. It is fixed and certain, and cannot be escaped.