Stories of the Saints :: Digging Deeper Joseph, Mary, Simeon, and Anna Introduction This week is another jam-packed

one. It is a week where we focus on the people and events surrounding the birth of Jesus. It is another take on the Christmas story, where we will focus on people and events that we do not normally highlight during Christmas. We will look more deeply at Jesus earthly parents, Joseph and Mary, and of two extraordinary people who are part of the story soon after Jesus birth: Simeon and Anna, who both are at the temple in Jerusalem when Jesus is brought there by His parents. All four of these saints are worth knowing better. Joseph: Husband and Stepfather Joseph is well-known as Jesus earthly father. Though there is not a large amount of material in Scripture about him, we know much from what little material we have. We know he was a descendant of King David1, a carpenter by trade2, and that he was an honest and merciful man.3 Though it is not stated directly, we can also infer that he died sometime before Jesus began His ministry at age 30, certainly before Jesus death.4

When he enters the story, he and Mary are betrothed5. Luke describes him as the husband of Mary in his biological genealogy, since he was not Jesus biological father. At the same time, he was perfectly qualified to be his father: a descendant of David, which means that Josephs son (even a unique step-son) was also considered to be a descendant of David. This was one of the requirements for the Messiah, and Matthew is also careful to show this lineage for his Jewish readers.6 So in essence he is a stepfather to Jesus, but he is rightly described simply as his father, just like happens in our culture today. Mary: the Mother of God Mary often receives much more attention than Joseph, and for some good reasons. She is a young woman chosen by Gods grace to be the biological mother of the Son of God. She is no one special in the eyes of the world, but has received a very special place in the Christian world because of her amazing calling from God. Mary is the young woman who is betrothed to Joseph. We do not know her exact age, but according to their culture she was likely in her early teens when she enters the story. She is visited by the angel Gabriel and told she will bear a son. Understandably she is confused and terrified, since she knows that there are usually two people needed to conceive (and it is not usually preceded by visitation by an

1 2

Matthew, 1:1-16, Luke 1:27, Luke 3:23-38. Matthew 13:55 Mark 6:3. In these passages, people ask about Jesus isnt this the carpenters son? It is a derogatory question, as if to proclaim that he cannot be anything special, since they knew Him, his father, and his brothers. They were humble and unassuming. How could Jesus be the Messiah? 3 Matthew 1:18-25. Joseph sets out not to condemn Mary for her supposed adultery, but to be as merciful as possible without being unjust. Then when he learns the true situation, he takes Mary as his wife, even though there would likely have been much scandal in doing so 4 Simeons words about Marys soul being pierced (Luke 2:34-35) referred to the death of Jesus, and the fact that Simeon addressed Mary only seems to be an intentional prophecy that it would only be Mary who experiences that grief. Also, the last mention of Joseph is when Jesus is 12 years old (Luke 2:41-52).

Betrothal was similar to our notion of being engaged, though much stronger in force. There was a year period in which couples were betrothed but not married. To end this relationship needed a divorce (Matthew 1:1819). 6 6 Matthew 1:1-16. You will likely notice the difference in genealogies between Matthew 1 and Luke 3. Matthew records a legal heritage focused on the symbolic representation of generations - 14 from Abraham to David, 14 from David to Babylonian exile, 14 from exile to Christ. Luke works backwards from Joseph all the way to Adam, and is more literal and biological. (That Matthew begins with Abraham is significant for his Jewish readers; Lukes tracing back to Adam is significant for his Gentile (nonJewish) readers.)

angel!). However, she responds to Gods calling with simple faith (Luke 1:38) and with rejoicing in song (Luke 1:46-55). There has been much made of Mary, and the honour accorded her has gone far beyond what she would have ever expected. God honors her and shows her favor (literally, grace) by choosing her for this role and the church since then has also honored her. (In many cases, however, the honors have also gone beyond the bounds of Scripture and reasonableness.7) At the same time, she is aptly described as the mother of God. The two natures of Jesus are a great mystery: He is both 100% God and 100% man, and that is beyond our understanding. So He is truly Marys son, while at the very same time being truly God, who has no beginning and no end. This is a mystery with which Christians have wrestled in every generation. Yet, like so many things of God, just because it is a mystery doesnt make it untrue. In fact, the mystery of it only deepens its truth: who could truly worship a God that they could fully understand? As well, her response to Gods grace is an inspiring one for all Christians: I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word (Luke 1:38). How amazing would it be to see all of life this way as a Christian? As God shows us His grace in our life, our
7

response would be, Amen! (Literally, Amen means yes, let it be so.) Simeon and Anna: Rejoicing in Jesus Simeon and Anna are two wonderful figures in the story of Jesus being presented at the temple in Jerusalem. According to Jewish law and custom, Joseph and Mary bring their firstborn to the temple to be consecrated to God.8 Simeon is an older man who has been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lords Christthe Anointed One of God (Luke 2:25-26). And the Spirit led him to the temple as Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were there. He takes the child in his arms, praises God, and prophesies to Mary. Simeons prayer is a beautiful one, and they are words that have become a part of the churchs worship for centuries. It is known in the traditional liturgies as the Nunc Dimittis, taken from the first two words of his prayer: Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. It is most interesting to note that this occurs immediately after fulfilling a part of the Jewish law, since Simeon proclaims that Jesus is a light...to the Gentiles, that is, non-Jewish people - the whole world! In fact, at this point they were probably standing in the Gentiles court of the temple, since that is as far as women and Gentiles could go in the temple. Anna then hears these words and begins to thank God and tell others about Jesus as well. Anna is an interesting woman as well. Luke tells us that she was a prophetess who essentially lived at the temple. She had been married for seven years, and then her husband died. Since

One example is the teaching of the perpetual virginity of Mary: that she never had any normal marital relations with Joseph. This is not supported by Scripture; it specifically says that Mary and Joseph had no sexual relationship until after Jesus was born (Matthew 1:25), implying that once he was born, they were a normal married couple. It also refers Jesus earthly siblings (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3).. Another example is the immaculate conception, which actually refers to Mary, not Jesus. The thought is this: for Jesus to be born sinless, Mary also would have had to be sinless; therefore she also would have to have been born of a virgin. (Keep going with that line of thought, and you can see the fatal flaw in that reasoning, besides the fact that Scripture makes no mention of this.) Yet another is the notion of Mary still interceding for Christians (hence the Hail Mary prayer).

Leviticus 12:1-8 gives the law for purification after childbirth, and Exodus 13:2 is the command that the firstborn be consecrated to God.

that time, she had been worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day for decades!9 Simeon and Anna are wonderful examples of what happens when Jesus shows up: worship! Jesus comes, and praise, thanksgiving, and sharing the Good News result. As you read and meditate on the Word of God this week, take inspiration from these four saints of God.

2009-2010 Concordia Lutheran Church. Used by permission. For more information, visit www.concordialive.ca

Luke 2:36-39. There is a footnote in the text that says it is either until she was 84 years old or as a widow for 84 years. Either way, her devotion to Gods work stems from her solid identity in Him, prompting an amazing response.