Silver Hair

The Passage

Luke 2:21-40 NKJV

"21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 

22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD"), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

25 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. 26 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. 27 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, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel."

33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 "(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

36 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; 37 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. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him."

A Little Background

Our last entry emphasized the importance of the Law to Jews in Israel.  Jesus was born under the Law.  It was required of parents to circumcise their sons eight days after birth. Circumcision was a physical sign of God’s covenant to the descendants of Abraham.   It was at the circumcision that the baby would be named.  Joseph obeyed what the angel told him and named the baby, JESUS, because “He would save His people from their sins.”  The Law required that women go through a purification period of 40 days after birth.  In addition to circumcision, parents were required to bring their firstborn to Jerusalem and present a lamb for an offering to the Lord.  If the woman was poor, two turtledoves or two pigeons were accepted.  It is implied here that Mary’s offering was of either the turtledoves or pigeons.

Some Explanation

Mary and Joseph were careful to obey the Law.  To be sure, many Jews obeyed the Law for the sake of the Law.  But there were Jews who obeyed because they loved it.  When Mary and Joseph arrived at the Temple they were met by Simeon.  Here is another Old Testament saint who was “just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel.” There are three ways in which the Holy Spirit moved in him.  He had been promised by the Spirit that he would not die until he saw the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and Simeon had been led to the temple at that moment to see Him.  The promise the he “would not see death” before he saw Jesus, may imply that Simeon was quite old.  
 

Filled with the Spirit, Simeon took the baby Jesus into his arms, blessed God, and declared that Jesus was God’s provision of Salvation for all peoples including the Gentiles.  He also made a solemn prophecy to Mary stating that Jesus would be the rise and fall of many, Mary’s soul would be pierced and that the thoughts of many would be revealed.  His statements remind me of Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  We read in John 1:1, Jesus is the Word of God made flesh.  As we will read in the days ahead, He surely did and does reveal our inmost hearts.  When I see the darkness of my selfish intentions, I am empowered by His loving Spirit to confess it to the Lord and allow Him to transform me.  Simeon’s statement was particularly hard for Mary.  Her heart would be pierced as she would watch her son be crucified.

While Simeon was speaking, another saint approached the family.  Anna was a very old prophetess who spent her time ministering at the Temple with prayers and fastings.  She also recognized the Lord and told about Him to all who were also looking for His appearing.

Observations and Insights

Simeon and Anna were two elderly Israelites watching and waiting for the arrival of the Promised Anointed One.  They believed the prophecies regarding Jesus’ coming and were rewarded for their faithfulness.  Jesus promised that He will come again.  He told us signs that indicate His coming and to watch and pray.  There are some who tell us it is none of our business when Jesus returns, and others who mock or suggest that Christians who believe that Jesus is returning soon are dangerous and should be monitored.  In Matthew 25, we are warned that false teachers will arise, and in 2 Peter 3, scoffers will question the signs of his coming.  Simeon and Anna serve as an example that we, too, must faithfully watch and pray.

Up to now, we are seeing a common theme through the Harmony of the Gospels.  In nearly every account so far, the humble, weak, lowly, least of people are the ones who are experiencing the coming of the Savior beginning with the elderly Zacharias and Elizabeth.  Especially in modern Western cultures, seniors are becoming more marginalized.  We have become so globally mobile that many families no longer live near parents.  Our culture glorifies the young, beautiful and agile.  We have generally lost the value of cross-generational interrelationships outside of the family structure.  1 Corinthians 4 and 1 John 2 emphasize the need for fathers in the faith to teach and instruct.  Likewise, Titus 2 instructs older women to teach the younger women.  We are never too old or too smart to learn from those older than we are even if they aren't up to date on modern technology. 

The accounts of these dear faithful saints in the life of Jesus are a sweet reminder of the value that God places on the elderly.  My husband, Bruce, and I have been abundantly blessed to have both sets of parents still living near to us.  It has been a joy to serve them as needs arise.   The Bible teaches us to honor the older generation.  As I was preparing to write this entry, a post appeared on my FaceBook feed that was particularly appropriate, so I am sharing it below.  It’s a video taken by a mother who is filming her son on a skateboard.  She is distracted by some activity that happens behind her, so she turns to catch it on camera.  Watch carefully as the man in the convertible learns a valuable lesson about dishonoring an elderly woman.  Enjoy!  (Thank you, Eunice, for posting this!)

“You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man,

and fear your God: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:32

“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,

If it is found in the way of righteousness.” Proverbs 16:31

Next:     Matthew 2:1-12