...and the Prophets had foretold. Joseph and Mary take Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord...Simeon recognizes him as the Messiah and blesses Him. Anna is there also.
Luke 2:36‑38 (NIV) “There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty‑four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” Fasting is probably one of the more difficult things we American Christians are asked to do especially after the abundant food we have during Thanksgiving and during all the Christmas season. Let’s see what we can learn from Anna in regard to Christ coming.
1. To be ready for Jesus to come Anna had a dedication to God’s House...She never left the temple.
Church was not optional for her because she had a passion for God’s house. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV) “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Anna was expecting the Messiah to be revealed and she knew the temple would be the greatest place for having an encounter with Him. The same is true for us. My house…God says…not your house!
2. To be ready for Jesus to come Anna made a choice to worship God night and day. Don’t miss it...Anna saw Jesus because she was a worshiper. Worshipers encounter God because when you seek Him with all your heart…you find Him!
3. To be ready for Jesus to come we must be willing to fast and pray. Anna loved God’s house, she worshiped night and day, and she fasted and prayed. Your pastor and church leadership are admonishing you to join with us in fasting and praying beginning January 1.We are asking you to do a true biblical fast...fast food...you can fast TV, FB, watching sports, or other stuff but fast food in some way. It helps understand what it means to crucify our flesh. Matthew 5:6 (NKJV) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” We believe that as we are unified in this fasting and praying that God will reveal Jesus to us in a greater way.
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