Aged to Perfection

Read Luke 1:1–4:13

25. At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him
26. and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
27. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required,
28. Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
29. “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.
30. I have seen your salvation,
31. which you have prepared for all people.
32. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
33. Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Luke 2:25-33

The older that people get today, the more they prefer to keep their age a secret. That’s because our society values youth over age, and the potential contributions of the elderly are often ignored or dismissed as outdated and useless. That wasn’t the case in Jesus’ time. Age wasn’t something to be embarrassed about and wasn’t kept a secret. Luke’s Gospel even salutes the value of the elderly by recording an incident in which two older people play an important role in Jesus’ young life.

As you read this section, look for contrasts with modern views of age and youth and determine to be a person used by God, regardless of your age.

In Simeon and Anna’s culture, elders were respected, and age wasn’t a strike against their usefulness. But if Simeon and Anna had lived today, their lives and testimonies probably would not have meant as much.

Despite what our society believes, the elderly still have much to contribute. As Christians, we should value them not only as human beings but also as people from whom we can learn a great deal. If you’re young, invite older people to share their wisdom and experience with you. Listen carefully when they speak. Offer them your friendship, and help them find ways to continue to serve God. If you are elderly, don’t believe our society’s views about you. Continue serving God, however he enables you. In God’s view, you are never too old to be useful.