Luke is unique amongst the gospels because it gives us the most detail about the infancy and childhood of Jesus. His dedication at the temple is a perfect example, as it’s only included in Luke’s gospel.
In these verses, we’re introduced to Simeon and Anna. They could be counted amongst the earliest Christians along with the shepherds, because they were among the first to recognize who Jesus was. Anna could be considered one of the earliest evangelists, because she went on to tell everyone in Jerusalem that Jesus was the redeemer God has promised.
What we see in Simeon and Anna is a spirit of anticipation. In fact, Simeon was told that he should expect to see the Christ in his lifetime. Then he responded that he could die happy and fulfilled now that he had finally seen the savior…a humble baby brought to the temple by a humble mother and father.
What’s interesting is that it doesn’t seem that Simeon and Anna’s perspective wasn’t shared by everyone else in the temple. The Messiah was carried into the temple, the sacrifices were made, the rituals were completed (verse 39)—and the priests went on with their day. In their minds they knew what to anticipate, but when Jesus was presented, they completely missed it. But two Spirit-led saints knew they had been in the presence of the savior.
This is a stark warning that even those of us who attend church and know the Scriptures could be at risk of missing Jesus. In the midst of our own spiritual routines and repetitions, our senses can become numbed. And those on the outside who are seeking Christ can pick up on this…they’re leaving dead, spiritually numb churches in pursuit of a living savior.
If you’re here today and haven’t put your faith in Christ, he may be exactly what you’ve been waiting for…the deliverer you’ve been anticipating.
“Where is my redemption? When is this all going to pay off?” Maybe you’re waiting for something to change. The redemption Simeon and Anna recognized that Jesus was the salvation and redemption of God for all mankind.
