Daily Devotions

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Luke 2:36-40

Simeon wasn’t the only “oldster” in the temple that day. Anna was also a wonderfully faithful person who was blessed to receive Jesus with joy and praise to God. It is what she did next that sets her apart.

She freely shared what she believed with all who had ears to hear. She connected Jesus with the redemption of Jerusalem.

“Redemption” is a powerful word. In Jesus’ day, the word referred to the price that had to be paid to purchase a slave’s freedom. But that meaning was lost along the way. I only remember “redemption” being used to redeem coupons or get something with the stamps you collected at the grocery store.

But for the people of Israel, with memories long enough to include slavery in Egypt, slavery in Babylon, and now slavery under the Romans, redemption meant freedom, a second chance, the possibility of a new life. Soon Luke will help us see that this was at the heart of Jesus’ mission.

We read all of this at a strange time in our lives. The people who most publicly witness to others about Jesus invite people into a spiritual life that looks more like bondage than freedom. More exclusive than inclusive. More legalistic than loving. A faith that reduces the faith to politically powerful talking points.

The truth is, we all need to be redeemed. We all live in the grip of that which enslaves us. Anything that tells us that we’re not good enough, that we’re not worthy, holds us in slavery. Anything that we do, or that is done to us, that coats us with shame, holds us in bondage.

Our self-righteous attitudes, our inability to listen to others, our unwillingness to face the facts of life, our subservience to tribe over truth – all of this steals our freedom and blunts our ability to bear witness to the God who loves us as we are and continually shapes us toward being who we can be.

“Jesus Loves Me” needs another verse. Maybe one like this:

Let us pray: Dear Lord, the song of Anna now joins the chorus of all who find in you the freedom to be who you created us to be. May your favor rest on us that we too might gain the wisdom to bear witness of your love to all who find themselves in bondage. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant 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 for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.

Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”  Luke 2:25-35

Many  years ago, when I was serving in my first congregation, a friend of mine from out of town came to worship. I thought it was a great Sunday and I was proud to be a part of it. I truly loved that congregation and the people who proved so faithful along the way.

After worship, we had lunch. I was probably hoping for a few atta-boys, “that was great” kind of stuff. But the first words out of his mouth were, “I don’t think I have ever been in a room with that many old people in my life!” OUCH.

The truth is that we had a wide range of ages in worship that day but who was I to question his life experience? He probably didn’t do anything in his life that included as many seniors as we had (and still have) in a normal worship service. And I think that is a big problem.

I look at our long-time, faithful, congregational members and I see people who have vast experience in making their way through life. They have probably seen it all along the way and they have much wisdom to share. They are the ones who have sustained Christian communities. They are the ones who have been challenged to change along the way. But the worst mistake my friend made that day was his blindness to the greatest gifts our senior members bring – love, compassion, and joy that even his presence brought them. Had he seen them “seeing him”, he might have come away with a different point of view.

The text doesn’t tell us how old Simeon was. We don’t need to know but I picture him as one of our elderly saints at church. The people who need two hours to get ready to go. Who proudly don their Sunday best, wearing ties for the only time that week, because they believe that God deserves the best they can bring. Who struggle getting their walkers in and out of the car. Who are still grieving the friends they lost in the last year and who privately look around and wonder who is next. But they are there! And, no matter what you think, they love everything to do with children in church.

Jesus would prove a blessing to everyone in the world, but that would always happen one person at a time. Jesus was a blessing to Simeon. Jesus embodied Simeon’s hopes and dreams, not just for himself but for all people. And Simeon was wise enough to realize that the ministry of Jesus would be no walk in the park. Faithfulness is hard. Sacrifice requires sacrifice. There is nothing easier to do in life than to quit and walk away and Simeon sensed there was no quit in Jesus.

Simeon’s song has long been part of our traditional liturgy. Whenever we include those words in worship – Master, now you are dismissing your servant 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 for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” – I realize how real those words are to the folks who have spent their lives following Jesus to the end.

Let us pray: Gracious Lord, thank you for putting a song in Simeon’s heart, a song of faith, gratitude, and hope. Thank you for the faithfulness of those who continue to follow you, to make Christian community open and available to the next generation. May our eyes continue to see your salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.