Rev Gav

Age

Luke 2:36-40

²² Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. ²³ The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” ²⁴ So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

The Prophecy of Simeon

²⁵ At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him ²⁶ and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, ²⁸ Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
    as you have promised.
³⁰ I have seen your salvation,
³¹     which you have prepared for all people.
³² He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
    and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

³³ Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. ³⁵ As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

The Prophecy of Anna

³⁶ Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. ³⁷ Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. ³⁸ She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

³⁹ When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. ⁴⁰ There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Reflect

Widows get quite a few mentions in the Old Testament Hebrew scriptures. God knows that widows are often left out or forgotten by society and we discover that in God’s kingdom no-one is left out, for God’s heart is for the poor, broken, bereaved, and marginalised.

The whole story found in Luke’s gospel is inclusive, and towards the end of the second chapter, Jesus’ parents encountered Anna, an 84 year old widow. She was in the temple, day and night, fasting and praying, and this means she was waiting to see the liberation of Israel at the hands of the Messiah.

Now, I do not know about where you live, but in the culture where I am from, older people are pretty much marginalised. Younger people do not really want to hear what old people have got to say, and many old people live away from their families in retirement homes or sheltered accommodation, and yet, there is no room for exclusivity in Luke’s gospel. It is for everyone, and God affirms that everyone, no matter what gender or age, can fulfil a ministry and join in with God’s mission in the world. Everyone.

It is difficult for us to lose our preconceptions, however, as we grow in our faith, and as the Spirit directs us, we begin to see the world as God sees it. We begin to see people through God’s eyes.

Do

How, in our society, can we support and encourage those that are elderly? Can you think of an older person — someone who perhaps people do not listen to, or someone who is marginalised? Make a plan to speak with them or visit them soon, and do this with an expectation that God will speak through them.

Pray

Holy God
Help me see people as you see them,
and to not judge people based on age.
Open my heart that it might be inclusive,
welcoming, listening and embracing to all.
This day and for ever.
Amen.

Think

Why do you think Luke included this story about Anna?

How, in our society, can we support and encourage those that are elderly?