The World Awaits The Messiah

Simeon & Anna Wait Too
Luke 2:21-38 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. {22} Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord {23} (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD”), {24} and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” {25} And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. {26} And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. {27} 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, {28} he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: {29} “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; {30} For my eyes have seen Your salvation {31} Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, {32} A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” {33} And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. {34} Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against {35} “(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” {36} Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; {37} and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day. {38} And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Simeon was waiting for the coming of the messiah. Simeon means hearing. He was waiting for a sound from heaven. He heard it in the cry of the baby being circumcised.

The Holy Spirit was upon him.
The Holy Spirit had spoken to him that he would not see death until he saw the Lord’s Christ.
He came to the temple by the Spirit; therefore, he was led by the Spirit.

Simeon was in the Holy Spirit. That’s how he could hear the cry of the baby above all the noise of the temple. He had a hearing ear.

When Mary and Joseph came into the temple Simeon was waiting, when he sees them he takes the child in his arms.
The Lord spoke through him to Joseph and Mary concerning Jesus. He spoke a threefold prophecy.

Jesus would be a light to the gentiles and the glory of the Lord to Israel.
A - He would bring salvation to the lost.
B - He would bring revelation to the church.
This is the two-phased purpose of the church. We preach the good news and share the revelation of God’s love.

Jesus would be the standard by which high things, proud and pompous religion, would be brought down, and low things, spiritually empty and hungry people, would be brought up. And that He would be spoken against. He would get the religious people mad.

The sword would pierce through Mary’s soul. Speaking to Mary, who is the Mother or producer of Christ, is like speaking to us, the church. We are now the producers of Christ; we are His fragrance in the earth. The sword is an offensive instrument of death. The sword will pierce through the church; the world system will always hate the church. But when the sword comes; Christ can come from us.
In that instant, the moment Simeon spoke these words Anna comes on the scene. Anna is an old woman who spent most of her life in the temple. She actually lived there. She was over 100 years old. She spent her entire widowhood in prayer and fasting. Most likely much of her prayer was that Messiah would come.
Anna was the daughter of Phanuel. Phanuel means face of God. She was of the tribe of Asher. Asher means Happy. When Moses was blessing the tribes he said of Asher that “Asher is most blessed of sons; let him be favored by his brothers and let him dip his foot in oil, therefore he would walk in anointing. When we walk in the anointing we are happy. And his sandals shall be of iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be.”

Asher would be anointed and stand strong. Anna was anointed and she stood strong.

The moment that Simeon completed the prophecy Anna appears. Anna is the Greek name for Hannah, which means grace. Grace came instantly after Mary was told that her son would have to die in order for the redemption of mankind.

The number 5 is representative of grace. When Joshua was giving the land to the tribes Asher was the fifth to get its land. Grace. When God promised Abraham he would have children God told him to make an altar and put five things on it. Five things representing the Grace he would need to wait for his promise.

Grace exemplifies the Fullness of Christ –

Wonderful
Counselor
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace

Grace is the enabling power of God to do or to go through something victoriously.

God said to Paul. “My Grace is sufficient for you.’

His grace is always sufficient. In the instant of trouble coming look for Anna, look for His grace.