Waiting on the Promise

According to Luke 2:22-24 we find Mary and Joseph bringing their baby Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. This was done in obedience to the Law of Moses in Exodus 13:2-12 stating, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord.” These chosen parents followed the Law of Moses to the tee with the right day, right sacrifice, and right place.

Two key players in this dedication are two elderly people:

“Simeon, “was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:25-26). Amazingly that same Holy Spirit directed him to go to the temple on this certain day.

Anna, is the second one to have this high honor. She is a widow, eighty-four years old, prophetess (Luke 2:36) who prayed and fasted continually and lives in the temple with an expectancy to see the Messiah and share the good news with others.

Scripture does not tell us how long Simeon or Anna waited to see the fulfillment of the promise that God had given them. However, it does tell us during the wait they continued to be righteous, devout, praying, fasting and looking with expectancy to the fulfillment of this glorious promise. They didn’t blame God for taking so long rather they continued to seek and grow in Him while following the leading of the Holy Spirit with expectancy. Sounds like that may be a good plan for all of us waiting for fulfillment of our promises.