The story surrounding the birth of Jesus would not be complete without mentioning one of my favorite episodes: Simeon and Anna. These two dear elderly people served God in the Temple waiting for His Messiah. Their faith was every bit as real as knowing that God would provide food for them each day or a bed to sleep on. When their paths crossed with young Mary and Joseph, each would be left with a lasting memory of God’s faithfulness, and their mutual trust in God would be magnified.
It was a simple Jewish ritual for newborn males given in the Law since the days of Moses:
“And when eight days were completed before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived… And when the days for their purification…were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him before the Lord as it is written…’every first-born male that opens the womb shall be called Holy to the Lord,’ and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said…’a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons’” (Luke 2:21-24).
Simeon was a priest and a prophet, righteous and devout. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that “he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the young parents brought in the child Jesus…he took Him into his arms and blessed God…saying, ‘Now, Lord, Thou dost let Thy bondservant depart in peace according to Thy word. For my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples’” (v. 25-31).
Again, Mary and Joseph were “amazed” at the words they heard from others about this Child. Simeon went on to bless them and tell Mary the rest of the prophesy, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed—and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (34-35).
Simeon was acknowledging the fulfillment of his prayerful expectation. Jesus, God’s Christ has come. “Salvation is now out in the open for everyone to see. A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel” (The Message).
The second part of Simeon’s prophesy referred to the mixed reaction, both rejection and redemption, Jesus’ ministry would evoke. Its pain would be a sword thrust through Mary as she would be an eye-witness to the passion of the cross. “But the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are” (The Message).
Meanwhile, Anna, also a prophetess, was nearby. She had been married only seven years before becoming a widow at a young age. Now in her eighties, she had never left the Temple, “serving night and day with fastings and prayers” As she heard Simeon praying, she spontaneously “began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” (v. 38).
A coincidence? Not likely. God had it planned that Mary and Joseph would come to the Temple and meet both Simeon and Anna, devout Jews looking for the Messiah. Truly amazing.
How has God done that for you—and me? When has our visitation come, and what was our response? What an intimate setting for those whom God chose to receive His promise that day. Simeon and Anna, bursting with praise and worship, and stunned Mary and Joseph, all beholding the fulfillment of the ages. This Child, the hope of all nations.
Prayer of Acknowledgment
Holy and faithful God, Lord of all the nations. Thank You for revealing your Son to me. I bow before Him. In Your wisdom You sent Him to be born a babe to young, inexperienced parents. Yet their obedience was rewarded. They followed Your call. May we do the same.
Lord, thank You for telling of Simeon and Anna. Their expectancy and hope was also rewarded. With their own eyes they beheld the Savior and couldn’t be stilled. Marvelous mystery.
In our time of great need and suffering, draw those wanting a Savior. Arrange a visitation by Your Spirit to hearts prepared to receive Your promise. In the intimacy of an encounter with You, force honesty. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.
The Name
“There is a name I long to hear, I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music to my ear, the sweetest name on earth.
O how I love Jesus! O how I love Jesus!
O how I love Jesus!
Because He first loved me."
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