By Cameron Magby
Sometimes it’s easy to read Scripture and forget that the people we’re reading about were real. As real as you and me. But our text in Luke today always resets my view because there’s an awkward moment that always makes me chuckle.
Joseph and Mary had gone to the temple to be purified following the birth of Jesus—understandably so. On top of the usual purification, there were probably numerous violations of the laws surrounding what’s clean and unclean when you had to have an impromptu delivery in a stable.
And as they entered the temple area, a man came and took the baby Jesus in his arms (Luke 2:28). As a parent, I can imagine what was going through Mary and Joseph’s minds as this man picked up their kid. I do not recommend this.
But of course, we know from Luke that he wasn’t some random stranger. Simeon was faithful and righteous and walked with the Lord. The Holy Spirit had told Simeon that he would not die before he saw God’s promised Messiah. And that same Spirit led him right there to that place in that moment. And Simeon couldn’t help but praise God while holding this baby.
But the adventure didn’t end there. Because another person—this time an older woman—walked up and started praising God too. We’re not told that she picked up the child, so bonus points to Anna for avoiding undue concern from the parents.
And again, we learn this isn’t someone random. Anna was a prophetess, also faithful to God, praying and fasting for years as she waited for the Messiah.
Can you picture the scene? Mary and Joseph were standing there, people all around, all while Simeon and Anna were proclaiming God’s faithfulness and redemption.
Simeon and Anna knew who this child was. He would reveal the hearts of men as God’s light shining in the darkness. And His light would bring salvation to the world (Isaiah 49:6) and reveal to us the glory of God (2Corinthians 4:6).
The Advent season is all about waiting. We remember how so many waited for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Humanity waited for thousands of years. Simeon and Anna faithfully waited their entire lives. But they got to see God’s faithfulness in the person of Jesus.
And we do, too, because Jesus has come. He lived, He died, and He rose again to bring forgiveness of sins and defeat the power of death. He won.
On this day after Christmas, would we take a moment to pause and, as the hymn says, look full in His wonderful face. Rejoice. The One who was held in Simeon’s arms that day now holds all who believe. Like Simeon and Anna, would our lives be marked by the proclamation of this good news until we, like them, get to see Him face-to-face.
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