The Faith of Simeon and Anna
We have one more passage of scripture where we want to show you the faith of people who were very important in Jesus’ life when He was born. Let’s look at Simeon and Anna. The passage is long but well worth looking at.
Luke 2:21-38
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
The first thing I notice about Simeon is that he was a righteous and devout man of God and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And he came by the Spirit into the temple when Jesus was presented for circumcision. He blessed the One Who would bless all mankind. And it is obvious that he knew that Jesus was the Messiah because he said that his eyes had seen the salvation which God had prepared for His people Israel. He knew by the Spirit what would happen to Jesus and told Mary, his mother. He had faith to live to see Him so that he could bless Him.
Then there was Anna, a prophetess, who served God night and day in prayer. She also came by the Spirit and spoke of Jesus being the Redeemer. She gave thanks unto the Lord for allowing her to see the Christ child. She had faith to live to see Him to proclaim His redemption.
What did Simeon and Anna have in common? It is obvious that they were two people who sought the Lord, who loved the Lord and spent time with the Lord. The result was that they were in the Spirit. The Spirit of the Lord was upon them. You see, He will show us things to come, when we spend time in His presence. It is just part of being with Him. He knows all things and being around Him all the time will bring revelation to you and me of places, people and times.
It is Christmas on our calendar in a few days. There is so much in my heart this year about the way we spend Christmas, the buildup of shopping, cookie baking, cleaning house, food preparation, excitement of the family getting together. And in our busyness do we make room for Jesus Christ? It is His birthday and it has become so commercialized. Let’s purpose to make room for Him in the inn of our heart always, not just at Christmas.
Luke 2:21-38
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
The first thing I notice about Simeon is that he was a righteous and devout man of God and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And he came by the Spirit into the temple when Jesus was presented for circumcision. He blessed the One Who would bless all mankind. And it is obvious that he knew that Jesus was the Messiah because he said that his eyes had seen the salvation which God had prepared for His people Israel. He knew by the Spirit what would happen to Jesus and told Mary, his mother. He had faith to live to see Him so that he could bless Him.
Then there was Anna, a prophetess, who served God night and day in prayer. She also came by the Spirit and spoke of Jesus being the Redeemer. She gave thanks unto the Lord for allowing her to see the Christ child. She had faith to live to see Him to proclaim His redemption.
What did Simeon and Anna have in common? It is obvious that they were two people who sought the Lord, who loved the Lord and spent time with the Lord. The result was that they were in the Spirit. The Spirit of the Lord was upon them. You see, He will show us things to come, when we spend time in His presence. It is just part of being with Him. He knows all things and being around Him all the time will bring revelation to you and me of places, people and times.
It is Christmas on our calendar in a few days. There is so much in my heart this year about the way we spend Christmas, the buildup of shopping, cookie baking, cleaning house, food preparation, excitement of the family getting together. And in our busyness do we make room for Jesus Christ? It is His birthday and it has become so commercialized. Let’s purpose to make room for Him in the inn of our heart always, not just at Christmas.
posted by Rev. Kialeen Potterton @ 9:41 PM
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