Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 2:34

"and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this [child] is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against;" — Luke 2:34 (ASV)

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;

Do you understand that? Whenever Christ comes to a person, there is a fall first, and a rising again afterwards. You never knew the Lord correctly if He did not give you a fall first. He pulls us down from our pride and self-sufficiency, and then He lifts us up to a position of eternal safety. He is set for this purpose; this is the great design of Christ's coming: This child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel.

And for a sign which shall be spoken against;

Christ and his gospel will always be spoken against. If you know a gospel which is approved by the age, and patronized by the learned, that gospel is a lie. You may be sure of that; but if it be spoken against, if it be slandered, if it be called absurd, unscientific, and I know not what, all that is in its favor.

And for a sign which shall be spoken against;

How true has this been. The cross has been a stumbling block to many, and foolishness to the worldly-wise; and so will it be to the world's end.