Day 15: Faithful Waiting
Scripture to meditate on: Luke 2:21-38 Simeon’s Faith and Anna’s Devotion
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
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 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 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.”
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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 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, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign 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.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 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, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
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, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 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.
Devotional:
In Luke 2:21-35, a normal family scene is unfolding. Mary and Joseph are doing the regular baby stuff – getting Jesus circumcised and officially naming Him. Then this elderly guy named Simeon shows up… he’s been waiting many years to meet the promised Messiah. It’s like he’s saying, “You’ve fulfilled Your promise, God. I can go in peace.” And then there’s Anna, this wise grandmotherly woman, going around telling everyone about Jesus. It’s in this mix of everyday life that God is doing something big.
This reminds me that God’s plans are all intermixed in our everyday moments, and sometimes the most unexpected people end up playing a big part in His story. It’s as if God is telling us, “I’m right here in the normal stuff, doing some pretty extraordinary things.”
Questions to ponder:
- What does this passage say about God?
- What does this passage say about me or my relationships?
- What should I do in light of this passage?
