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!