A Theology of Waiting: Simeon, Anna, and the Prophetic Anticipation of the Messiah

Introduction

Waiting is a universal experience, but it is rarely comfortable. In our fast-paced world, the discipline of waiting often feels like an interruption or even a waste of time. Yet, the Bible portrays waiting as a vital spiritual practice—one that shapes character, deepens faith, and aligns us with God's purposes.

Old Testament Examples and Commands

1. Psalm 27:14

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

A direct command to wait with strength and courage, trusting in God’s deliverance.

2. Psalm 37:7

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices."

Encourages patience and stillness while trusting in God’s justice.

3. Psalm 130:5-6

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning."

A poetic expression of longing and hope, likening waiting on God to a watchman’s vigilant anticipation.

4. Isaiah 30:18

"Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him."

Emphasizes God’s gracious character and the blessing of waiting for His mercy.

5. Isaiah 40:31

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

A promise of renewed strength for those who wait with trust in God.

6. Lamentations 3:25-26

"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

Highlights the goodness of waiting on God and the virtue of quiet perseverance.

7. Habakkuk 2:3

"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."

A call to trust God’s timing for His promises to be fulfilled.

New Testament Examples and Commands

1. Acts 1:4

"And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, 'you heard from me.'"

Jesus commands the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before beginning their ministry.

2. Romans 8:23-25

"And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."

Describes waiting eagerly for the ultimate redemption through hope.

3. Galatians 5:5

"For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness."

Shows that waiting is fueled by the Spirit and anchored in faith.

4. James 5:7-8

"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

Encourages patience and compares waiting to the farmer's anticipation of harvest.

5. Revelation 6:10-11

"They cried out with a loud voice, 'O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?' Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer..."

Depicts the martyrs in heaven waiting for God’s ultimate justice.

What are some themes?

Practical Themes

Waiting and Trust:

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Waiting and Strength:

Isaiah 40:31 - Waiting renews the strength of believers, enabling perseverance.

Waiting and Justice:

Micah 7:7 - "But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me."

Waiting and Prayer:

Psalm 62:1-2 - "For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken."

During Advent, the season of expectant waiting, we are invited to reflect on the lives of Simeon and Anna, whose stories in Luke 2:25-38 illuminate the theology of waiting. Their prophetic anticipation of the Messiah offers profound insights into how we can embrace the discipline of waiting on God in our own lives.

Simeon: Waiting with Faithful Expectation

Read Luke 2:22-40.

The Context of Simeon’s Waiting

Luke introduces Simeon as a "righteous and devout" man who was "waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him" (Luke 2:25). This phrase, "the consolation of Israel," evokes the promises of Isaiah, where God’s coming is portrayed as comfort for His people (Isaiah 40:1-2). Simeon's waiting is not passive; it is marked by active faith and trust in God’s promises.

Key Themes from Simeon’s Story

The Role of the Holy Spirit: Simeon’s life demonstrates the Spirit’s role in guiding and sustaining those who wait. He was led by the Spirit to the temple at the precise moment when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus (Luke 2:27). This reminds us that waiting on God is not about inactivity but about spiritual attentiveness.

The Fulfillment of God’s Promises: Simeon’s response upon seeing Jesus (“My eyes have seen your salvation”) reveals a heart that trusted in God’s timing (Luke 2:30). Waiting requires the humility to accept that God’s plans unfold according to His perfect schedule.

Lessons for Personal Waiting

Faithful Expectation: Like Simeon, we can hold onto God’s promises with confidence, even when fulfillment seems delayed. This involves regular prayer, Scripture meditation, and an openness to the Spirit’s leading.

Spiritual Awareness: Simeon’s sensitivity to the Spirit challenges us to cultivate practices that heighten our awareness of God’s activity in our daily lives.

Anna: Waiting with Devotion

Anna’s Life of Faithful Waiting

Anna, described as a prophetess and a widow, spent decades in the temple, "worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day" (Luke 2:37). Her waiting was characterized by a lifestyle of devotion, even in the face of personal loss and social marginalization.

Key Themes from Anna’s Story

Perseverance in Worship: Anna’s story demonstrates that waiting is an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God through consistent worship. Her fasting and prayer were not acts of desperation but expressions of trust and hope.

Witnessing the Fulfillment: Anna’s immediate recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and her testimony to others (Luke 2:38) underscore the reward of persistent faith. Her waiting allowed her to participate in God’s redemptive story.

Lessons for Personal Waiting

Devotion Through Difficulty: Anna’s example encourages us to remain steadfast in worship, even during seasons of loss or uncertainty. Waiting can be a time of spiritual growth if we use it to draw closer to God.

Sharing the Hope: Like Anna, we can use our waiting as an opportunity to testify to God’s faithfulness, encouraging others to trust in Him.

Prophetic Anticipation: A Broader Perspective

The Prophetic Voice and Waiting

Both Simeon and Anna embody the prophetic anticipation of Israel, rooted in centuries of longing for the Messiah. This waiting was shaped by the words of the prophets, who spoke of a coming King who would bring justice, peace, and restoration (Isaiah 9:6-7, Micah 5:2). Their lives remind us that waiting is not just an individual act but a communal one, tied to the larger story of God’s redemptive plan.

The Already and the Not Yet

As Christians, we live in the tension of the "already" and the "not yet." Christ has come, fulfilling many of the promises, but we still await His return and the ultimate restoration of all things. This dual perspective shapes our waiting:

Hope Anchored in Christ: Because Jesus has come, we wait with confidence, knowing God’s promises are trustworthy.

Longing for Completion: Like Simeon and Anna, we are called to remain vigilant and faithful as we anticipate the fullness of God’s kingdom.

Practical Applications for Spiritual Waiting

1. Cultivate Patience

Waiting on God requires patience, which is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). We can practice patience by trusting in God’s timing and resisting the urge to take matters into our own hands.

2. Engage in Prayer and Fasting

Both Simeon and Anna modeled the power of prayer and fasting during seasons of waiting. These practices help align our hearts with God’s will and sustain us in faith.

3. Stay in Community

Waiting is not meant to be done in isolation. Like Anna, who shared the good news with others, we can find encouragement and accountability in the community of faith.

4. Watch for God’s Activity

Simeon’s sensitivity to the Spirit reminds us to remain attentive to how God may be working in and around us. Journaling, meditating on Scripture, and reflective prayer can help us notice God’s hand in our lives.

Conclusion

The stories of Simeon and Anna teach us that waiting is not a passive or purposeless activity. It is a season of preparation, devotion, and anticipation that shapes us into people who trust and reflect God’s character. During this Advent season, as we await the celebration of Christ’s birth and look forward to His return, may we learn to wait like Simeon and Anna—with faith, devotion, and an unwavering hope in God’s promises.