Portraits of Faith - Simeon & Anna

This is the ninth and final post in my series Portraits of Faith in which I look at the faith of all those folks in the Christmas story as recorded in Matthew 1 & 2 and Luke 1 & 2. I wanted to call this Dioramas of Faith but I was concerned that folks might not remember what a diorama was!

diorama of a hurricane

My last two people to consider are Simeon and Anna. I’m looking at them together because they are examples of the same faith.

Simeon
Luke 2:25  And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26  And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27  And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28  Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29  Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30  For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31  Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32  A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33  And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34  And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35  (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Just and devout, and the Holy Ghost was upon him. I would be happy if someone described me this way! But that’s not all, waiting for the consolation of Israel. Right away his faith is expressed. He was a man who was waiting for the consolation of Israel, the Messiah.

He believed the promise of the coming Christ, and he waited patiently for him to come. In addition, since he no doubt knew the promises, he knew the 70 weeks of Daniel was fulfilled and the time for Christ to come was upon them. Not only that, it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. How cool is this! And so by faith he waited for Christ.

One day the Spirit told him to go into the temple, and there he saw Joseph and Mary with their baby. Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Amen. This child is the Christ, the consolation of Israel, the very one spoken of by Jacob way back in Genesis 49:18, I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.


Anna
Luke 2:36  And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37  And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38  And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Anna. A widow. A prophetess. Who spent all her time in the temple, fasting and praying. She also came in while Joseph and Mary were in the temple and recognized this child! This is amazing! This infant didn’t look different than any other infant, there was no glow, no halo, and yet Anna recognized him right away – “This child is the Christ, the One we have been waiting for!!”

Anna and Simeon were helped by the Holy Spirit, and even though it wasn’t as dramatic in the rest of the life of Jesus, there seems to be a principle here – hungry hearts recognize and welcome Jesus.

She spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. It seems Simeon and Anna weren’t the only ones looking for redemption, waiting for the consolation of Israel. There were many waiting for Christ. They had faith to wait for Christ.

What can I learn about faith from them?

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:11-12)

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.  
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.  
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:35-39)

Yes. I want to be among them who believe to the saving of the soul. How do I do that? Believe in Jesus and patiently wait for him. Maranatha!