January 16, 2025
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.
LUKE 2:36-38
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.
At the heart of the Luke's Gospel narrative, with all the joy and wonder of the newborn King, we find a moving scene that illustrates for us, the enduring nature of faith. As we have read this week in Luke 2:22-40, we meet Simeon and Anna, two seniors who, guided by the Holy Spirit, eagerly awaited the Messiah’s arrival. What stands out about these two individuals is that their unwavering faith and steadfast hope serve as a powerful reminder of the strength found in trusting God’s promises.
Simeon, a righteous and devout man, was promised by God that he would not die before seeing the Lord’s Anointed. His life was marked by expectation, a constant yearning for the fulfillment of God’s word.
When he entered the temple that day and saw the child Jesus, he saw too, that long-awaited promise was fulfilled. Simeon with the infant in his arms, had this moment of profound spiritual insight (Revelation) that here was Israel’s long-awaited Savior. Simeon exclaimed, “Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” I find that Simeon’s words remind us of a deep conviction at the heart of the Christian faith. His life found its ultimate meaning in witnessing the fulfillment of God’s promise. After what must have seemed like an eternity of waiting. Simeon could finally conclude his life in peace, knowing his trust in God led him to the revelation of answered longing and prayer.
Anna, a widow and prophetess, also played a significant role in this sacred encounter. She had spent eighty-four years in the temple, serving God through fasting and prayer. Her life was characterized by spiritual discipline and deep devotion to God. When she sees the child, like Simeon, her experience of revelation results in Anna immediately proclaiming the Messiah's arrival to all who were waiting for Jerusalem’s redemption. It appears that she wasted no time in spreading the news of that God's anointed, the Messiah had arrived.
I believe, the stories of Simeon and Anna offer valuable lessons about the enduring nature of faith. Their unwavering trust in God’s promises, despite the passage of time and the challenges they faced, serves as a powerful inspiration for us today. Their lives remind us that faith is not a fleeting emotion but a disciplined life of service, sustained by a deep conviction in God’s faithfulness rather than our immediate circumstances. (Go back and read that sentence again)
True, we live our lives in a world often marked by periods of uncertainty and doubt, the example of Simeon and Anna provides for us a bright light of hope. Their unwavering faith in God’s promises reminds us that our ultimate fulfillment lies in Him, as well. Like Simeon, may we long for the fulfillment of God’s plan in our own lives. Like Anna, may we dedicate ourselves to serving God with unwavering devotion.
I pray, that their example may encourage us to live with relentless hope, knowing that God’s promises are sure and His love endures forever.
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