Praise is contagious. As Simeon was praising God for the birth of the Messiah, Anna joined him. Luke 2: 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. [1]
Both Simeon and Anna would have been familiar faces in the Temple. During that time period, older people were highly respected, and their words carried significant weight. Thus, those who heard the praise would have paid attention. Jewish tradition valued a second witness, and Anna provided this.
Waiting Expectantly
God had used the prophets throughout Israel’s history to give the promise of a coming Messiah. Zechariah 12: 9 For on that day I will begin to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10 “Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son.[2]
After the prophet Malachi, God was silent for four hundred years. Yet, the people who knew God would be faithful continued to look forward to one who would come and save Israel. These were the ones who were waiting and expecting God to act. They assumed it would be a political ruler who would free them from their oppressors. The Jews despised being under the thumb of Rome and hoped the Messiah would free them.
What they didn’t understand was how the coming Messiah would save them. God had already told Joseph that Jesus would save them from their sins. Even in the Zechariah prophecy, we see hints of how Jesus would accomplish our freedom from sin. He would be pierced on the cross as He paid the blood price for our sins.
Spreading the News
As Anna heard Simeon praising God, she, too, began praising God. We don’t have her words recorded, but we do know that she began to share the good news of the Messiah with those around her. This allowed these people to begin to praise God for His faithfulness. As more people praise, the news would spread.
We find it easy to celebrate a victory of our favorite ball team, but do we praise God with as much enthusiasm? How well do we praise God for what He has done in our lives? Would anyone ask what good news we celebrate? Praise is contagious and can lead others to ask why we are doing what we do. This opens the door to share about Jesus, our Savior, who is faithful and brings joy to our lives. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-gifts-of-praise
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.