Names are so important. Parents take time to choose a name for their baby because they understand the value of a name. Names are a gift. As I read Scripture, I like to look up the meaning of names to see if there are interesting lessons to glean from this insight.
Two names are mentioned in Luke 2, the only place in the Bible where we learn about two old and righteous believers. Both Simeon and Anna had proved a lifetime of faithfulness to their Lord. In their advanced years, they finally receive the gift they had waited on for decades.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praise God… (Luke 2: 25-28a)
As a baby, Jesus was brought to the temple. When Simeon saw the child, he immediately knew that this baby was the Messiah. Simeon’s name means “harken” which is our word for “listen”. At this moment, Simeon gives a prophetic word for all to hear that still speaks to us today. If we “harken” to the message we will hear that Jesus is the Savior of the world.
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God saying,
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:28b-32)
Simeon not only spoke a message proclaiming who Jesus is to the world, he also gave a message to Mary about the future ministry of Jesus. The Messiah would create an uproar in Israel and the events would be devastating for Mary as well. Simeon warned her of the pain to come.
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:33-35)
I wonder if Mary thought about these words as she stood at the foot of the cross. She “harkened” to the message of Simeon and three decades later she saw the fulfillment of his prophetic word.
Another prophet came upon the scene at the very moment Simeon was finishing his message to Mary.
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:25-38)
This old, precious woman of God walked up and immediately gave thanks to God. She then began her own evangelism crusade telling others about that precious baby. The child would grow up and bring the long-awaited redemption. Anna’s name means “grace”. Grace is the unmerited favor of God to His people. She is letting them know that the unmerited favor of God has been shown in a baby. God gave us Jesus, the picture of grace, showing how He wants to be in relationship with us, to grant us divine favor, to bless us in a relationship with the Lord through Jesus. Not only that, Jesus will the one who will bring the future redemption of Jerusalem. However, the redemption of Jerusalem would be at a later date. We are still waiting for that promise today. Jesus came and saved us from our sins in His first coming, as Simeon prophesied. However, Jesus will return again and redeem the earth and rule and reign over us! Jerusalem will be at peace as Jesus sits on the throne as King! That is what Anna proclaims to the people.
The two people who testified about Jesus first and second coming in the temple that day were Simeon and Anna. Simeon spoke the prophetic word about the Messiah and then Anna walked up to them testifying to the redemption to come. Once again, their names have significant meaning. Simeon means “harken/listen” and Anna means “grace”. Combining their names, we discover this: If we will listen to the truth declared about Jesus, we will receive grace! That grace is for now and forevermore! Just as Simeon and Anna proclaimed the glorious news, we should celebrate what Jesus did for us to save us and rejoice for the future of how He will return to earth again! We have heard the truth, we have received grace, and now we are to share the glorious message that Jesus came and will return! Halleluiah!
I love how the bible weaves together the central message of Jesus. A book written over 1500 years by different authors with various styles still all point to the Messiah, to Jesus. It is absolutely amazing!
Recently, I read this verse in the book of Joshua:
The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the share of Judah, because Judah’s portion was more than they needed. So the Simeonites received their inheritance within the territory of Judah. (Joshua 19:9)
When I saw this verse, my mind went immediately to the second chapter of Luke. These verses are separated over a thousand years, yet come together in a surprising way. In the book of Luke, a man named Simeon is mentioned.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God… (Luke 2:25-28a)
Jesus was from the tribe of Judah (as recorded in Matthew chapter 1 as well as Luke chapter 3). Therefore, this man named Simeon also received his inheritance from the tribe of Judah this day in the temple! The tribe of Judah had more than enough land to share. In the same way, Jesus is never depleted as He gives to us. The tribe of Simeon received physical land on earth. The man Simeon received a spiritual inheritance of heaven. The land from Judah served the Simeonites for generations. The gift of life from Jesus lasts for eternity!
We must be like Simeon and follow the Spirit’s leading to come to the Messiah. We will receive a heavenly inheritance that will never fade away! This can only lead us to marvel at the gift of salvation for us, just as Simeon did as he held Jesus in his arms.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32)
Praise be to Jesus, the Messiah from the tribe of Judah who gives generously the gift of salvation to all nations! The tribe of Simeon dwelled with the tribe of Judah. We can dwell with Jesus for all of eternity. Glory be to His Name!
The entrance of Jesus into this world was beginning of His entrance into all the mess of our lives. He left the perfection in heaver in order to subject Himself to our shame, loneliness, dysfunction, poverty, prejudice, tragedy so that He could join us in our suffering. He bore all the effects of the curse in our lives from the moment He was born until He died on the cross. He entered the pain of Christmas so that we may find life because of Christmas.
There is a stark contrast between the birth of John and the birth of Jesus. People came to celebrate with Zechariah and Elizabeth, friends were all around.
When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. (Luke 1:57-58)
However, Mary and Joseph were alone.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:6-7)
How lonely that must have been, no friends or family to celebrate. I cannot even imagine the trepidation in a young mother’s heart, and she had to face this new journey all by herself, no mother or aunts to guide and encourage her. How defeating it would be for Joseph to put his son in a feeding trough. It was painful and discouraging time when it should have been one of rejoicing.
God knew they needed encouragement, especially Mary. He knew the rumors, rejection, shame she had experienced. Even Joseph had questioned her integrity.
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. (Matthew 1:18-19)
An angelic visitation through a dream stopped Joseph from sending Mary away. Others would have assumed the worst of Mary and believed she had a tainted reputation. Yet, God defended His precious Mary to Joseph. They obeyed the Lord. However, their obedience did not lead to family parties and celebrations. Instead, their obedience led them to a city, filled with strangers, with no place to stay, and having to place a newborn in a manger.
God knew these faithful, obedient yet lonely followers needed some encouragement.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Don’t glance over these verses. See them afresh from the viewpoint of a lonely couple, brand-new parents, who needed an encouraging word. They are alone. Their newborn son is asleep in a feeding trough. Suddenly, they hear a voice of a loud, boisterous crowd. A group of shepherds burst onto the scene. They are so excited; Mary and Joseph can hardly catch the story between all of them talking. Finally, one shepherd recounts the glorious events. Mary and Joseph realize that angels from heaven were sent to give the birth announcement of their son! Imagine their hearts filling with joy as they realize that God saw them exactly where they were! The Lord knew they needed encouragement so He sent the shepherds with the good news. Mary and Joseph were not forgotten.
How healing these words would have been for Mary who had already suffered in her hometown. Mary had probably heard terrible reports spread about her concerning the circumstances around her pregnancy. Here in Bethlehem, God allows good news to circulate.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2:17-18)
God sees our lonely, distressed hearts. The Lord will not leave us. He will send forth a word to comfort and encourage us. God sees you and me, right where we are. He knows what we are going through. Even in the most unlikely ways, the Lord will find a way to send forth a message of hope for us to hold onto, just like Mary did.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
Treasure the encouraging moments in the heart. They are a source of strength for difficult times in the future. For now, know that God sees us and will encourage us.
God is with us even if others have abandoned us completely. His heart is full of love. The proof of His love was lying in a manger, Emmanuel, God with us. He left the glories of heaven to be close to each one us. Take to heart His encouragement today.
My grandmother would never leave the house if the laundry machine was still washing. Decades earlier, her washing machine leaked when she ran to the store. From that day on, she decided to never leave the house until the wash was done. She would never trust a laundry machine again.
I would chuckle at my grandfather waiting impatiently for the wash cycle to end so we could go places. Yet, I have to admit, I am often like my grandma. I do not know if I can really trust what is left behind. My obsession does not include washing machines. Instead, I show my lack of trust in the Lord to handle situations if I have to leave them behind. Surely, the God of the universe needs my help in “fixing” circumstances or “helping” people.
God does not need our assistance. If He tells us to go or to do something, we have to trust He is able to take us where He wants us to be as well as take care of who or what we leave behind. The shepherds are a great example of a group of people who trusted God to take care of what they had to leave.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. (Luke 2:8-17)
When the shepherds went to Bethlehem, they had to trust God to care for their sheep. They left the most helpless animal behind in order to do what God had told them to do. The shepherds had to trust the Lord to protect the sheep when they left the sheep behind. The sheep were their livelihood. Each sheep represented a paycheck. The shepherds had to trust God that He was their provision when they left their sheep behind. Their work as shepherds was to be with sheep. They had to trust God with their reputation and what others would say when they left their sheep behind.
The Lord will watch over whatever or whoever we leave behind to follow His will. What have we been called to do? How often have we talked ourselves out of obedience because of what we had to leave behind? It is not easy to leave but we must trust God, for not only where we are going but also for what we are leaving behind.
When we leave things behind, God will provide for us. We can be assured that when we follow His plan, the Lord will take care of our needs. I heard Tony Evans once say, “Where God guides, He provides.” When we step out in faith in the place He leads us, God will take care of us in amazing ways! We must obey His will, despite who or what cannot come with us. We show our faith by believing and acting upon the truth that God alone is our provision.
When we leave people behind, God will defend us. Others may critique what we do, but God will have the final say. I watched a documentary of Hudson Taylor. He was criticized for his mission work and methods in China. He left behind the traditional methods of reaching people, even the traditional ways of dress for an Englishman. He cut his hair like a Chinese man and wore the native dress. It was scandalous at the time and many spoke against him. However, his ministry grew into one that still sends out missionaries today, hundreds of years after he began his work!
The shepherds left the sheep behind and encountered Jesus! Because they did, other lives were impacted as well.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2:8-18)
What or who is God telling us to leave behind? We must leave! When we do, we will encounter Jesus! Then, we will experience God’s miracle in and through our lives and others will be changed!
