When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
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, 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.”
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.”
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.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. - Luke 2:22-40
It is interesting that Simeon's prophecy matches what Mary prophesied. Mary said: "He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. " Simeon said: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel."
First, I am so thankful that God often says the same thing twice when he tells us something, because we often don't hear it well, we don't believe it well, we don't want to hear it or we just aren't sure it is God speaking. Even Samuel needed three times before he knew it was God speaking to him in the temple (1 Sam 3) so how much more for those who aren't prophets of God.
Second, this is another reminder that the place where we typically look for answers to problems may not be where God starts to answer that problem. In fact, our assumptions may cause us to look in the wrong place. God may not use the influential or well-resourced or smart or well-educated. Just faithful.
I think that we have to look carefully when something unexpected happens. It might just be something weird or unusual, but it might be God up to something. Mary and Joseph were paying attention: "The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him." This comes right after Mary heard the shepherds pay her an unexpected visit and she "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:18b-19) and right before Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple teaching and she "treasured all these things in her heart." (Luke 2:51) I realize that I tend to dismiss or ignore things that are unusual or unexpected. They don't fit into my ideas, so I just shrug my shoulders and continue on with my life, when I should store them up to see if I can glimpse God at work.
Third, he used those like Simeon and Anna who waited patiently with eyes open for the signs where God was at work,. People probably thought of them as temple furniture. But they had positioned themselves in a place where every citizen of Israel had to pass by: the temple. They didn't do anything special but they longed for God to show himself active and strong and God honored that.
God is not quiet, but we are often not listening. I want to hear, so I have to listen.
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