Mary, Jesus and Eve

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be ​revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:34-35 (NIV)

This Madonna and Child painting suggests the psychological and emotional underpinnings of the verses above, a prophecy given to Mary by the prophet Simeon at the occasion of Jesus’ dedication in the Jerusalem Temple. Simeon is seeing out beyond the cradle to the Cross. Yes, and even to the crown of redemption that this child came to win for those who would believe in Him.

Mary’s face is a mixture of joy and pain as she cradles Jesus in her arms, wondering about this sword that would pierce her soul. Luke recounts, “she hid these things in her heart” even though, at this time, she could not fully understand them.

The blue-eyed infant face of Christ already suggests the man He will become. His premature 5 o’clock shadow alludes to his human nature. He is focused intently on the small toy cross he holds out before himself. But his expression is not playful; it is one of sadness and resolve.

In the upper left quadrant, behind a stone wall that indicates a separation of time and space, we see Eve reaching for the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. We know that her act of disobedience will soon cause The Fall of mankind— the very tragedy that Jesus was born to rectify by hanging on the cross.