Looking for Redemption
Luke 2:21–40
She began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:38

Anna understood more about the full significance of the coming of Jesus Christ than any of the others who appear in the nativity narratives, for she understood that the infant Jesus was to become the Redeemer that God had promised to Israel. And we know this because she announced his birth to all in Jerusalem who, like herself, looked for that redemption.

I find this encouraging in the light of what seems to be so much indifference to the claims of Jesus Christ today. The world of Christ’s day was filled with those who were unaware of, or indifferent to, his coming—just like today. But there were believers also waiting for the promised redemption. The Pharisees looked for a deliverer, but one who would enter the land of Canaan in power and who would drive out the occupying troops of the Roman army. Because of this fixed understanding of who the Messiah would be, the coming of Jesus as the Redeemer passed them by. There were also Essenes. These monklike figures looked for a teacher, a new Moses. But because Jesus did not come from their ascetic circles and teach their doctrines, they too passed him by. The Pharisees looked for a political Messiah. The Essenes looked for a teacher. The Sadducees looked for nothing. But—there were also believers. And these looked for a Redeemer in Israel.

And it was the same in all of the preceding ages. The Old Testament saints in heaven are there because they too looked for God’s Redeemer. This has always been the faith of God’s children. For this reason, the redeeming work of Jesus has always been found at the heart of the Christmas story. The angel said, “Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21 KJV). And in every age God has always had those who looked for such a savior. In ancient times there were Abraham, Jacob, David, Isaiah, Malachi, and more. In Christ’s own time there were Zacharias, John the Baptist, Joseph, Mary, Simeon, Anna, and a host of others.

And there are scores of believers today. Are you one? Do you know Christ as your Savior? Is he your Redeemer? How sad it would be if you could manage to go through another Christmas season without coming to believe in him who came to earth, not to remain in a cradle, but to die for you, to enrich your life now through his own indwelling spirit, and eventually to bring you with great joy into heaven. If you do know him, will you be like Anna who spoke to her neighbors about Jesus? She became his first great witness in Jerusalem. If we really understand what Christmas is all about, we will speak of our Redeemer and do it with great joy.

Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.