Advent: Simeon and Anna

Who were Simeon and Anna in the Advent story?

Lovers of God given the gift of seeing him in the flesh–when Jesus was six weeks old.

After Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, he and his parents shifted to a better spot for a newborn and his mother.

Eight days after Jesus’ birth, a priest circumcised him according to the custom of his time in the Jewish faith. (Luke 2:21).

The Life Application Bible noted, “circumcision symbolized the Jews’ separation from Gentiles and their unique relationship with God.”

The family then settled down for Mary to recover.

Forty days after Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph took their baby boy to the temple in Jerusalem, a seven-mile or so walk from Bethlehem.

By Jewish law, Mary was considered “unclean” during those forty days. She would have been secluded–she could not enter the temple.

After forty days, parents were expected to bring their baby to the temple along with a sacrifice for a sin offering.

The sin offering traditionally was a lamb, but in the case of poor families who could not afford a lamb, they could bring “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” The temple priest sacrificed the animals/birds and declared the mother clean once more. (Leviticus 12:1-8)

Joseph, not a wealthy man, brought two birds.

Simeon

Jerusalem’s temple was a gathering place for the devout. Daily, priests performed sacrifices.

Merchants sold animals in the outer courtyards for those sacrifices.

The High Priests were politically connected and for many, temple worship was a ritual tradition more than a worshipful experience.

But God always allows for a remnant of true believers to find him when they seek him.

Among those individuals were the ancient Anna (see below) and Simeon, “a man in Jerusalem . . . just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel.” (Luke 2: 25)

It does not say he was a member of the priesthood, but he knew God had promised a Messiah who would comfort his people (Isaiah 12:1).

Meeting the Holy Spirit

In addition, Simeon had experienced an encounter with the Holy Spirit–not an angel:

the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple.”

Fascinating. God sent the Holy Spirit when Jesus left the earth–to live in his people. Why did the Holy Spirit appear to Simeon?

To give glory and recognize the Son of God–just as John the Baptist did when he leaped in his mother’s womb.

God gave this righteous man a promise: he would not die before the Messiah returned.

That probably would be enough to keep me in the temple worshiping and waiting!

Enter the Messiah

And then one day, while Simeon was going about his business, a young family entered and the Holy Spirit ignited Simeon.

He took the baby into his arms and prophesied:

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word: For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

Such a blessing, and yet another reminder to Mary and Joseph that God was with them and the child was from Him. Did they need any more reassurance God sent this child and His purpose in so doing?

Simeon continued and gave the pondering mother a little more to think about:

“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

What did that even mean?

Mothers tend to focus on the horror of a child pierced by a sword; Mary lived to see that happen to Jesus.

The second clause may be more pertinent: God looks at our hearts and so judges. Jesus provides the means by which God can look at us, despite our sin.

What had started out as an obedient trip to the temple had turned into something extraordinary.

And there was one more prophecy to come.

Anna

Luke records Anna was a prophetess, the daughter of Panuel (face of God) of the tribe of Asher (from the hill country west of Galilee).

Probably married at a young age, it appears her husband died seven years after the wedding. Anna spent the rest of her life in the temple fasting and worshipping God with prayers night and day.

She was “of a great age” after many years!

“Prophetess” suggests she was unusually close to God–and thus able and willing to proclaim God’s truth.

When she came across Jesus, “she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

She saw Jesus after Simeon and focused on what Jesus’ purpose was in coming–to redeem His people from sin.

Note she spoke about Him to those who were looking for their Messiah–not necessarily the religious authorities.

Fascinating times

It had been a fascinating time of unprecedented change and unusual occurrences in the temple. Surely some understood the significance of what happened that day?

Within the previous 18 months. Zacharias had lost his voice and seen an angel while making the sacrifice. God had intervened in a miraculous way and Zechariah’s elderly and barren wife Elizabeth gave birth to a child.

Shepherds reported angels appeared to them and told of the newborn king. The countryside was rife with stories and discussion–what could God be up to?

Simeon and Anna recognized the truth and pointed to the Savior of the World.

Those who had eyes to see must have wondered, prayed, given thanks. and waited–what would happen next with this extraordinary child?

Tweetables

Anna and Simeon: prophets of God in the temple. Click to Tweet

What would you have done with such prophecies at your child’s baptism? Click to Tweet

How many needed to proclaim God’s truth about Jesus? Click to Tweet