City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“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. 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.”’

Luke 2:25-32 (ESV)

“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.”

Luke 2:36-38 (ESV)

Megan’s Musings

I have to admire Simeon and Anna’s extreme perseverance. Waiting for many years, even decades, for a promise to be fulfilled isn’t easy, especially when you’re at that point when you’re ready to rest in heaven (v. 29). Anna was widowed young, but instead of pouting about her situation, she used her talents of prayer and prophecy for fifty-plus years. Simeon and Anna, like the rest of the Jews, were waiting and hoping for the Messiah. But their waiting wasn’t passive, they were praying and listening to the Holy Spirit. I’d like to think with their advanced years and great wisdom, they mentored many protégées as well. 

Simeon and Anna waited for the Messiah in a holy place. Jerusalem was considered God’s holy city to the Jews, and the temple was the second one built in 444 B.C. (led by Nehemiah, read his book if you’re looking into starting a big project in 2023) as the first temple was destroyed in the siege of Jerusalem by the second Babylonian empire in 586 B.C. 

But much more important than a physical place, Simeon and Anna practiced a holy mindset. Simeon was described as righteous and devout with the Holy Spirit upon him (v.25) and Anna devoted herself to prayer after her husband’s death (v.37). They were the very picture of godly hope. Hope is an expectation with certainty, confidence that something will happen. The world waited for a savior to make right relationships between God and humankind. After four thousand years of waiting, He had finally come. Simeon and Anna’s response was of thankfulness, blessing, spreading the message, and continuing their talents of prophecy and prayer. After years of active waiting in hope, they were given the true peace that passes all understanding. 

Luke is the only one of the gospel writers who mentions Simeon and Anna. What was Luke hoping to accomplish by telling their stories? Simeon and Anna exemplify perseverance, hope, and of spreading the message, long before Jesus gave His Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). 

Application

Are you waiting for God to fulfill a promise to you? Practice active waiting and a holy mindset, or setting your mind in a holy place. Every healthy relationship requires communication, prayer lets you talk to God, reading His Word lets God talk to you. And when the promise comes to pass, thank God, continue worshipping and praying to Him, and spread His Word.  

Prayer

Dear Lord, please help me to actively wait and practice a holy mindset. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.