I am not sure if this is exactly a Christmas lesson or a really important one to end one year and prepare for the next.
On the timeline of events involving Mary and Joseph, it is a little over a month after Jesus’ birth. Since then, the uproar the shepherd’s created when they shared their angelic experience was dying down. “And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. (Luke 2:18) Their baby boy had been circumcised at 8 days old at the local synagogue. “And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21) The name “Jesus” is a form of the name Joshua, which means “The LORD is salvation” – a wonderfully appropriate name. Hopefully, while Mary recovered from childbirth, they found a more conducive place to live than a borrowed stable. It is really sad that despite Joseph returning to his family home and place of birth when Jesus was born, they were camping in a stable instead of finding lodging with relatives. Extended family knew that due to this pregnancy this couple had not fulfilled the customary betrothal period nor had the full wedding festivities which they would have attended in Nazareth.
And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.” (Luke 2:22-24)
The Temple was a very busy place. For the last 20 years it had been exceptionally chaotic as King Herod’s grand rebuild of the temple was in full swing. The offering of sacrifices continued despite the construction. Despite all the noise and activity, two elderly people were constant fixtures. These two are the focus of this lesson.
And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 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. (Luke 2:25,26)
I am totally enamored with the man, Simeon. We do not know exactly how old he was when Joseph and Mary arrived at the temple with a month-old baby and two turtledoves (the poor man’s offering for a baby dedication). Everything I’ve read and depiction of him has him VERY old. It isn’t his age and the assumption that he had long out lived his peers that has me so enthralled, but his tenacity = determined, persistent, steadfast, faithful, unwavering.
Simeon had received a personal promise from God that before he died He would see the promised Messiah. With each encroaching symptom of an aging body his anticipation mounted. Like Abraham, “with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able to perform.” (Romans 4:20,21) Every day he came looking for that promised One – in every infant, little boy, young man and stranger. Every day wasn’t just another day, every day could be THE day. That took tenacious faith. He lived a righteous and devout life so that he was ready when he met the promised One. He was constantly looking. The Greek word translated “looking” is prosdechomai, which means to receive to oneself; a wholehearted embracing, receiving or acceptance now or with unwavering anticipation in the future. He wholeheartedly believed and was constantly ready when the promise was there for the receiving.
How does it impact your life when you are really looking (prosdechomai) for God to do what He says He is going to do? For Simeon it took him out of what is comfortable and convenient and even justified as an old man, and to the temple day after day watching, waiting, looking.
Being fully invested into watching and waiting for God to keep His promises requires an all-in partnership. Simeon was all in and showed up looking. The Holy Spirit was all in as well. On the day Mary and Joseph arrived to dedicate Jesus to God, it was the Holy Spirit that told him this was the ONE.
And he came in the Spirit into the temple [that day]; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God. (Luke 2:27,28)
How his heart must have leapt for joy when his redundant question, “Is this the One?” received a wonderfully different answer, “Yes!” What a moment that had to be when he asked this very young mother if he could hold her infant, and she entrusted her most precious gift into this old man’s arms. He had waited a lifetime for this very moment. All he could do was worship from that deep place in his heart prosdechomai alone makes possible. “He took Him into his arms and blessed God and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)
I don’t know if you noticed, but for years he had been “looking for the consolation of Israel” – the Paraklesis - the Promised one to come alongside Israel to lead them back to God and into all He intended for Israel. But when he held the Promised One, He discovered the baby was so much more. Jesus is for ALL PEOPLES – A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES AND THE GLORY OF ISREAL.
And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. (Luke 2:33) This was news to them as well. Mary was told that “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High and the Lord God will give the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” (Luke 1:32,33) Mary believed her baby would be a king. Joseph was told “He will save His people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21) Joseph, like Simeon, believed his son would be Israel’s Savior. However, to their amazement and ours, Jesus came to be the Savior of ALL PEOPLE.
“Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” declares the Lord. “Many nations will join themselves to the Lord in that day and will become My people.” (Zech. 2:10,11)
Simeon went on to tell them, especially Mary, that “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel (1 Cor. 1:23 refers to Jesus being “a stumbling block” – He won’t be what they expect or want, but others will rise. The word means resurrection – the promise according to John 6:40 “everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life and I Myself will raise him up on the last day”). Simeon also prophesied that Jesus would be “a sign to be opposed” (though He will be proof that God keeps His promise, not everyone is going to believe). For Mary the cost and the pain will be high: and a sword will pierce even your own soul — to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34,35) Our response to Jesus will reveal who we truly are.
I can only imagine how overwhelming all this was to this very young couple. For that reason, God had another person there for them.
And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fasting and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God (Luke 2:36-38a)
84-year-old Anna was a prayer warrior. She was constantly looking for those in need of a word of encouragement and intercessory prayer. She “served night and day with fasting and prayer.” It was her mission, her purpose, her way of worshiping. What a blessing to have her come over and ask if she could pray for you. In perfect timing she came over to Mary and Joseph with encouraging words and prayers.
These two are models of tenacious faith – faith that constantly is watching, waiting and actively involved in God doing what He promises He will do. Anna “continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” (v. 38b) There were others watching and waiting - prosdechomai. We can and should join them. It is OUR choice. “But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.” (Mic. 7:7) It requires a wholehearted embracing, acceptance and anticipation of the promise and purpose of God in your life.
Making It Personal
Does wholeheartedness describe your relationship with God?
What excuses could Ana and/or Simeon have used to justify “not today”?
Are there any excuses that are keeping you from tenacious faith?
What impact would tenacious faith in God have on the daily details of your life?
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait (prosdechomai) for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14 NIV)
Imagine a holiday – a whole new year characterized by tenacious faith – determined, persistent, steadfast, faithful, unwavering, always looking for God to be God and do what He promises.
