I want to draw your attention to “three sets of adults” at the beginning of the Jesus story.
The first couple we are introduced to is the elderly couple, “senior citizens, actually”: Zachariah and Elizabeth.
Then, there is “the main couple” who follows them – and takes the center stage, but only for a brief while. There is the “much-older-middle-aged-Joseph” and the much “younger-teenage-Mary.
They are quickly followed by the last couple to be made mention of: the “elderly Simeon and Anna,” another pair of clearly – “senior citizens…”
Only Mary is “younger” with all the rest being “much older” and we presume much wiser.
Luke has this penchant for male and female pairings of characters. They are parallels. If there is a male, there is bound to be a female lurking and vice versa.
Curiously we start out with a group of Medicare Card Holders, SSI Recipients and pensioners. “Gray Panthers” (as they once were called) actually book end the birth account…
I wonder why? What is it attempting to say?
Is it because they are considered to be older and wiser? More stable and more mature? More experienced?
Is it because they have already lived through so much and have survived?
You may remember that Mary and Elizabeth are considered to be kinswomen…relatives…related…albeit…with a huge “age difference” between them.
Zachariah is of the priestly family and clan. He serves in the Temple. He is representative of the – “old school.”
The two stories of Zechariah and Elizabeth – and Simeon and Anna -actually frame the Jesus birth story. They all – must be considered “old school.” Representing a form of Judaism that is now in flux…and changing…
Now, Nazareth is about a 60 mile walk – to the Temple in Jerusalem or 120 miles roundtrip. It is not by any means a hop, skip and a jump away. Going there will take time…and it will be an expensive journey to make.
Mary and Joseph go there for the circumcision when Jesus is but 8 days old. It was also his “all important naming day.”
And now “32 days later” they return again…this time for both Mary and Jesus. It was time for Mary’s purification ceremony after having given birth to a male child…
And then Jesus – had to be designated or dedicated to the Lord – as “the first born son…” Again, for a fee.
Again fulfilling and following the scriptures to the iota!
All of these rituals followed the scriptures exactly. The eighth day, fortieth day, as the law required. All-of-which tells us that Mary and Joseph were “devout members” of the Jewish faith, and furthermore, that they strictly adhered to the Law of Moses…to the letter.
Jesus was in good hands…and he was being raised by his parents in the correct fashion of their faith.
Simeon and Anna seem to be always “lingering or loitering” around the precincts of the Temple…it is their “home-away from home.” Some people around here can relate to this, too!
Simeon is “waiting for the consolation of Israel” and Anna addresses herself to “all who were looking for “the redemption” of Jerusalem.” Both were considered to be holy people.
Anna is called “a prophetess”…one of only a handful in the entire Scriptures…and for all she knows, she is the end of line…
Simeon is “just and devout” and poor old Anna “devotes herself” night and day “to fasting and to prayer” in the Temple. Both of them are models of faith and represent the “old school ways.”
Like many of the best characters in the Bible Simeon and Anna are “most interesting” for what they say about the baby still snuggled in his mother’s arms.
We only get Simeon’s testimony “in detail” but it is a big one! From his lips and mouth we hear a foreshadowing of all the crazy conflict and opposition that will come during the course of the rest of the story.
The old era is passing away…something new is about to take place… Things are changing. The Temple will be torn down, people will be dispersed once again. Synagogues or Teaching Centers will replace the Temple…
The Messiah has come…and it is the old and the wise – who are the first to notice.
Amen.