Fulfilling Simeon’s and Anna’s Waiting
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
While Janet takes a break from blog writing for the holidays, we hope you will enjoy an excerpt from her latest Advent devotional over the next few weeks. If you haven’t yet ordered your copy of Waiting for Christmas, we still have a few copies available. Order your copy here.
____________________________________________________________
Fulfilling Simeon’s and Anna’s Waiting
Entry from December 17
The stories of Simeon and Anna are two of the best glimpses into the joy that so many missed in the first century. The shepherds knew the Messiah had been born. So did Simeon and Anna, two faithful people who were in the temple the day Joseph and Mary arrived.
Luke wrote, “there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him” (Luke 2:25). The “consolation of Israel” was Jesus, the Messiah. Luke said, “it had been revealed to him [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:26).
Simeon might have been one of the priests who served at the temple in Jerusalem, because Luke points out, “When the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel’” (Luke 2:27–32).
Simeon may have served in the temple for many years, each day watching for his Messiah. The Holy Spirit had promised him he would not die before seeing him, and then one day the Holy Spirit said, “Here I am.” Was Simeon expecting a baby? We can’t know for certain, but we do know that he recognized the holy presence in the baby Mary and Joseph had brought to the temple. Simeon rejoiced, knowing his Messiah had arrived, and he understood that the small baby in his arms would accomplish great things for God’s kingdom. Scripture tells us that Mary and Joseph marveled at what was said about their newborn Son.
Simeon blessed the holy family that day, saying to Mary, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that the thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34–35). Years later, Mary would probably think of those words as she knelt at the foot of the cross and grieved for her son, the Messiah.
Luke also shared the story of Anna, “a prophetess.” We know she was “advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day” (Luke 2:36–37). Anna had spent the majority of her adult life living and serving in the temple. She came up to Simeon while he was holding Jesus that day and sharing his words of faith, and she affirmed all he said when she “began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38).
Simeon and Anna recognized Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting a lifetime for. Their faith enabled them to hear the Holy Spirit say, “This is him.” Who do you know that is still waiting to meet Jesus and receive their Messiah? Pray for the chance to share the best news of Christmas. The baby in the manger was born to be their Savior too.
