Sometimes God gives us hearts to perceive what others cannot. In a world that thought that the Messiah was going to come in and be an oppositional political power to Rome, Simeon declares that he has seen God's salvation with his eyes in a baby. In a time when people were looking for liberation from occupation, Anna praised God for a different type of liberation that would come through this child.
Luke, was a Gentile, yet he understood what Israel was looking for in a Messiah. He also understood the theology of the time, which called for riches and political triumph as a sign of God's salvation and blessing. But then he tells this story of Simeon and Anna at the temple, which completely redefines the idea of salvation to that of spiritual salvation as well as liberation.
I wonder if we are as reverent in our worship of Christ this day? If we worship with our whole hearts and proclaim who Christ is to the world? I wonder if we have the patience of Simeon and Anna who had been waiting for this day their whole lives long. I wonder if we have the faithfulness and obedience to stick it out, even if we do not understand. I wonder how we can be Simeon and Anna to the world, with hearts open to perceive the grace and truth of our God.
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