When Anna saw the baby Jesus she knew immediately that she was looking at the Messiah of Israel!
As she had spent her days and night in prayer and fasting, she knew the seasons and the times for the Consolation of Israel. She was not in the dark.
God gave her spiritual vision to see that the child which Mary and Joseph brought to the temple was going to be one who would bring redemption to Israel. This type spiritual vision and prophetic insight can only be imparted by the Holy Spirit. It can only be received by saints who walk close to God, who choose to spend hours in His presence.
In fact during the same time there was another elderly man named Simeon who was told by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Lord Jesus Christ before he die.
Simeon and Anna have often been cited as examples of elderly folks who can still be of service of God inspite and despite of their age as long as they live a life of holiness and purity.
Simeon was described as "just and devout". Like Anna he had also had a prophetic mantle and knew the time and appearing of the Child Jesus in the temple. He was also told by the Spirit in Luke 2:26 that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ.
He was even told by the Holy Spirit where he could see the Christ. He hastened to the temple just at the right time baby Jesus was brought to the temple....
Luke 2:27-28
"So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God...."
He then prophesied in Luke 2:30-32 that Jesus would be one who would bring salvation to all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel.
In Luke 2:38 it was Anna's turn to prophesy about the Child Jesus:
"And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for the redemption in Jerusalem"
How did Simeon and Anna receive such amazing insight? They received this insight whilst spending time with God!
Consider this for a moment....if you have not been fasting or praying or seeking the Lord would you have recognized that the child Mary and Joseph brought into the temple was the Messiah?
I am sure Jesus would have looked like any other baby and the other temple goers would have been none the wiser. Maybe they could have cooed over him and his cuteness. Maybe they could have admired him, touched his head and praised Him for being a handsome child!
When his parents brought him into the temple, they would have looked like any other parents. Baby Jesus would have looked like any other baby.
It takes prophetic insight and revelation from God to know that this was a special baby destined for the "fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign which will be spoken against" - verse 34.
May we be like Anna and Simeon (no matter our age) having such a close relationship with the Holy Spirit that we will know when Jesus comes again.
May we recognize why things are happening the way they are happening.
May we discern from the Spirit of the Lord the reasons for the challenges facing our nation.
May we discern the seasons and times of the age we are living in.
May we prepare ourselves by regular fasting and praying so that when He comes again a second time we will be like Anna and Simeon, a generation who would know immediately who He is in the time of His return!
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