Simeon and Anna . . . Godly Witnesses
\Week Six
December 12
Simeon and Anna
Godly Witnesses
Luke 2:22-38
Shalom!
Welcome to God’s Holy Temple.
So, whom am I?
How do I fit
into these holy,
these miraculous stories?
My name is Malachi.
I am blessed
by Adonai
to be chosen to serve
as a Levite.
Luke 2:22-25
And when the time came for their purification
according to the Law of Moses,
they brought him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord,
“Every male who first opens the womb
shall be called holy to the Lord”)
and to offer a sacrifice
according to what is said in the Law of the Lord,
“a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem,
whose name was Simeon,
and this man was righteous and devout,
waiting for the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
************
I am doubly blessed
to serve the greatly revered Simeon,
widely admired,
for he was both righteous and devout—
the Holy Spirit obviously
had His hand upon him.
And he made it clear
to all of us around Him—
He was looking toward
the Comforter of Israel,
our blessed Messiah.
You could see Simeon’s holiness
on his face and in his eyes—
I would call it a holy illumination,
the light of conviction.
So, as I said,
“I praise Adonai”
for the blessing
of standing by his side that day
he suddenly
looked up to Heaven
and hurried
toward a humble couple.
Luke 2:26-35
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.
And he came in the Spirit into the temple,
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,
to do for him according to the custom of the Law,
he took him up in his arms
and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant
depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared
in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled
at what was said about him.
And Simeon blessed them and said
to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child
is appointed for the fall and rising
of many in Israel, and for a sign
that is opposed
(and a sword will pierce
through your own soul also),
so that thoughts from many hearts
may be revealed.”
************
The couple had a baby boy.
They had the look
of humble Galileans,
but Simeon exclaimed
praise as soon as
he looked upon the baby boy.
Simeon had often
explained to me
a special calling
our God had placed
upon his life.
Adonai, praise be to His Holy Name,
had promised Simeon
that he would see the Messiah
during his lifetime.
Simeon actually took the baby boy
into his aged hands,
lifted the little one
to heaven and proclaimed;
“Lord, now Your Promise
has been fulfilled.
I can pass from this life
in happiness.
Here, with my very own eyes
I see Your Messiah,
Blessed be Your Name.
He comes from You
as a great light
even for the Gentiles.
He, this little one,
brings Your glory
among us as
Your People, Israel.”
Obviously this poor couple
seemed surprised,
but as I watched them closely,
I noticed a subtle
smile they shared
which reflected a deep joy
in their eyes.
Then I understood.
They knew who this baby was—
so much more than a Son.
He was born to bless
His people,
and even beyond them,
the people of the world.
Simeon gently handed
the baby boy
back to his mother
as he spoke again,
more seriously,
this time.
“He will lift up many in Israel,
but He will cause many others to fall.
His life will determine destinies.
Many will oppose Him.”
And dear lady,
your very soul will be pierced with sorrow.
The true hearts of all
will be revealed by Him.”
And Simeon turned and walked away.
I hesitated for some moments
before I followed.
I could not help but notice
how deeply Simeon’s prophecy
had affected the couple.
The man looked concerned,
and his wife had to
wipe away a tear.
Luke 2:36-38
And there was a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived with her husband seven years
from when she was a virgin,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She did not depart from the temple,
worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
And coming up at that very hour
she began to give thanks to God
and to speak of him to all
who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
And then Anna arrived.
She actually lived at the Temple.
She had lived there
and had praised our God
for most all of her life
since her husband had died
after just seven years of marriage.
Now she was eighty-four.
She immediately hurried over
to the couple and
their remarkable baby.
“Oh, God of our Fathers.
I praise You and Your Mighty Name.
I thank You for the gift
to the world
of this marvelous child.
Listen to me, oh people of Israel.
Gather around me,
Hear my cry!
Here is our Messiah,
God’s anointed One.
Go from the Temple.
Declare this Good News.
We have seen the Promised One,
born to redeem us all.
Praise be to our Mighty God.”
Then I, Malachi, hurried away
to find, my master, Simeon,
no doubt spreading
this extraordinary good news.
Our Messiah is born.
He has come
to deliver us.
Hear Simeon’s testimony.
Hear Anna’s praise.
Our Redeemer has come.
Praise to the Holy One.
Praise be to our Messiah.
Praise be to His Holy Name!
Our Savior has come!
