They were old enough to recount with significant detail the last attempts at restoring the Jewish nation before it succumbed to the Roman Empire. Decades had passed since the last Jewish military revolutionary drew his last breath. Some were saying that they were living in the last days, and that the long-awaited Messiah would soon appear and restore Israel to its former glory. Any day now…
Simeon and Anna, two people who had each lived long lives and were therefore honored in their culture, were hopeful for that day to come. Simeon may have been a priest around 6 BC, and Anna had probably been a widow for over sixty years. As they each grew older, they also obviously drew closer to their God.
Luke identifies for the readers of his book telling of the good news that the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon (Luke 2:22-38). This gave him quite a credibility edge to those in the first century who heard about his reaction to the infant Jesus. He had been assured somehow by God that he would lay eyes on the Messiah before he died. As soon as he saw Jesus, he took him into his arms and exclaimed:
“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised.
I have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared for all people.
He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
Mary and Joseph didn’t know what to say. What do you say after that? Thanks?
Simeon continued on, telling Mary that Jesus would indeed be incredibly influential in Israel, but will also be a polarizing presence, so much so that it will lead to his death. Mary’s soul would be pierced by the tragedy of outliving her firstborn son.
Anna, a prophet (and yes, a woman), was at the Temple that day, too, when all of this was taking place. She, too, had something to say – that this was the one provided by God who would rescue Jerusalem.
Mary and Joseph, again, weren’t quite sure how to respond. “How nice of you to say…”
On this day, joy came to two faithful God-followers who had no doubt been downtrodden in light of the Roman occupation under which they were forced to live. Their Temple was being run by Sadducees, leaders more interested in politics than theology, and it showed. Their rivals, the Pharisees, were much more interested in spiritual things but heavily outnumbered. And they tended to focus a lot more on the letter of the law without much regard for the spirit in which it was written. It just seemed like they were stuck, as two people, with lots of other people at a standstill right along beside them. Seriously depressing. They had reasons for feeling downtrodden. Economic reasons. Political reasons. Religious reasons. And spiritual reasons: they were living during a time known as the “silent period” – God hadn’t said anything, really, for hundreds of years. What a wonderful time to be alive…
At this time in history, we may feel like we have some things in common with Simeon and Anna. The economy is in the toilet. Politicians still act like politicians. And religion still gets in the way for many people wanting a relationship with God. To make matters worse, all of those aforementioned macro-level things affect people’s daily lives. Work environments are strained. Marriages are strained. School classrooms are strained. Put it all together, and many people feel pretty downtrodden.
But the good news is still good news. God has delivered a child into the world unlike any before. This child came to proclaim truth about this life, the next life, and God. He backed it up with many proofs that let us know we can trust his word. He came to open our minds and hearts to the very Spirit of God, proclaiming that God is open to all people everywhere. The good news is that while bad seasons come now and again, it’s not the end of the story – the story ends in peace, wholeness, love... God. That gives us hope. We can get through anything so long as we have hope. The good news is that there are healthy ways to approach life that serve to create a better life for everyone, everywhere. We have something to shoot for that actually works, and the very Spirit of God to help us walk in those ways. The good news is that even in our loneliness, just like Simeon and Anna realized, we are not ever alone. God is as close as our next prayer, and promises to always be there, ready to help us toward a richer relationship with God that yields healing, peace: salvation in its fullness.
So, if you are overcome by the darkness of this season in which we presently find ourselves, may you have ears to hear, a mind to understand, and a heart open to the good news of great joy: God is with you, directing you, walking with you through the tough patches, knowing that at the end of the road there awaits for you such joy that all our light and momentary troubles will seems like nothing at all (2 Cor. 4:17-18).
Think...
- How are your feelings similar (or not) to those held by Simeon and Anna?
- Have you ever felt like you lived during a silent period, when God seems to have gone on vacation without his cell phone?
- What kind of prayers do you think Simeon and Anna utterred?
- What did it mean to them to see the baby Jesus?
- How do you think they were impacted by the reality that they would both surely die long before Jesus would even begin his ministry?
- In light of Simeon and Anna's experience of receiving good news, what do you think God wants you to take home from this?
- What do you sense God calling you to do in response to this interaction with Simeon and Anna?
- What prayer do you now choose to offer in reponse to God's invitation?
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