And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just 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. So he came by 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 . . . Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2: 25-30, 36-38, NKJV).
Dear God, please help us to watch and pray; for You will come again – not as a newborn babe, but as King of kings and Lord of lords. May we be among those who will be ready to meet You in peace. In the wonderful name of Jesus the Christ we humbly pray. Amen.
Simeon had been waiting to see the Promised One. I imagine all through the years he had been watching and praying while he waited. He earnestly desired to see the Messiah before he died, and the Holy Spirit had assured him that he would not die until he saw Him. Therefore, on the day that Jesus was going to be taken to the temple by His parents Simeon was alerted and led to the temple by the Holy Spirit. When the “Desire of the Ages” came to His temple I am sure that there were others present that day. Some may have been praying; others bringing their sacrifices to the priests. Perhaps some were simply observing quietly all the activities taking place within the house of God. But Simeon was in the temple with a purpose – to see the coming Messiah. Having seen Him in whom the hope of all Israel rested, He was content to now die in peace!
There was someone else in the temple on that particular day who recognized the Son of God – Anna, the prophetess. She had been married for only seven years when her husband died. From that moment forward her entire life was dedicated to God and His service. She actually made the temple her home. Day and night she fasted and prayed. As Jesus’ parents were bringing Him into the temple to be dedicated to the Lord, Anna was entering. Recognizing the Holy One she began to praise God and give Him thanks for the privilege that was hers to see the long awaited Hope of Israel! Immediately she began witnessing to all those who were awaiting the coming of the Messiah.
As I said in an earlier devotional many people can be in the same place at the same time; some will receive a blessing while others will not. Salvation is very personal. It is those who believe, who receive, the Son that will have everlasting life. Eternal life has been provided for the entire world, for “whosoever believes in Him.” But it will be those who receive it that will have everlasting life.
Simeon and Anna were waiting and they received. Whoever watches and wait will see and live. May we be among the believers who are watching and waiting when the King comes for His own!