Issue 2011 #4
Table of Contents:
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Simeon and Anna's Bright Hope
for the Messiah
Imagine you are Simeon; a righteous and devout person who has waited for promised hope or consolation of Israel for many decades. Luke 2 says the Holy Spirit was upon him and it had been revealed to him that he would not die before he would see the Lord's Christ or Messiah. Can you imagine going to the temple every day, praying, believing and watching for this promise to be fulfilled? Days, weeks, months and years go by, and you grow older - yet, your faith and confidence in God increases like the light on the eastern horizon before the dawn. You KNOW deep in your being that you shall see Him with your own eyes!
Imagine you are Anna. Luke says she was very old, had been married for seven years, but then a widow until age 84. As Anna you would stay at the temple day and night, serving God with fasting and prayers. She too was convinced that one day the Messiah (likely as a baby born of a virgin), would come into the temple - and this would happen in her lifetime. As Anna you would be studying every couple that came in to offer the sacrifices to redeem a first-born son. Your heart would be asking God, “Is this the One?”
Eight days after the miraculous birth of Jesus in the stable in Bethlehem, Joseph brought Mary and the baby Jesus to the temple. They brought two doves or pigeons for their sacrifice, to offer them to consecrate or redeem their firstborn son.
Because Simeon had long been watching and waiting, and was full of the Holy Spirit, he recognized the Saviour even in Mary's shawl right away. Simeon hurried up to ask to hold Him, the Messiah, and broke into glad praises to God. He pronounced a blessing on them, and a prophecy to Mary that her soul would be pierced.
Anna, the prophetess, was not far behind. She too, knew right away - this was the One for whom she had lived and waited so long. She broke into praises too, and called out to others, to come see the One who would save His people.
This same Jesus is coming again! Soon! Do we KNOW it deep in our spirit? Are we watching and waiting with anticipation? This time He will come as the Bridegroom coming for His Church, and as Victor over all the enemies of God. Let us say in faith, “But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.” (Psalm 71:14) There is a very bright hope for our tomorrows on the horizon!
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