14.1.25

GETTING THE STORY RIGHT

 


January 15, 2025


LUKE 2:22-40 


22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”, 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:


29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 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, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.


Luke's reading above focuses on the testimony of two figures in the gospel: Anna and Simeon

Nowhere else in the New Testament are they mentioned, as they disappear from Luke’s account after meeting Jesus and his family.

As we noted yesterday, Anna and Simeon are devout, spending much of their time in and around the temple, longing for Israel’s consolation and redemption. Beyond these few details, little is known about them. 

Yet, despite their limited presence, Anna and Simeon stand large in their understanding of the significance of the small child Jesus. Their reactions are striking,  Simeon takes Jesus in his arms and breaks out into song, declaring Jesus as light to the Gentiles and glory for Israel.
Anna, upon seeing Jesus, praises God and begins to tell others who long for redemption about the child’s importance. 

These two characters are among the first proclaimers of the Gospel in Luke’s story.  What makes Anna and Simeon stand out is that the major characters of the gospel, the disciples, religious leaders, and Roman powers, typically misunderstand Jesus. We know that some of them will even deny, betray, and crucify him. 

In Luke’s gospel story, Anna and Simeon are the ones who get the story right. This is a recurring theme in scripture, the "big stars" the major characters seem to miss the point of what God is doing, but the "bit part", the minor characters, like Simeon and Anna, seem to have the insight that we all need to understand. 




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