Fasting for the King's Coming - Revision history

Pcain at 16:48, 8 December 2011

Pcain — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:48:16 GMT

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	And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.		And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>
-	'''Introduction'''~~<br>~~We come to the end of January and the call to fast for one day a week this month. I hope we can make time soon to tell each other what God has done this month. Just listening to the staff recount the surprising works of God last Tuesday in our prayer meeting gives me strong encouragement to press on in some kind of corporate fasting—which I will tell you about in a few moments.	+	==== '''Introduction''' ====
		+
		+	We come to the end of January and the call to fast for one day a week this month. I hope we can make time soon to tell each other what God has done this month. Just listening to the staff recount the surprising works of God last Tuesday in our prayer meeting gives me strong encouragement to press on in some kind of corporate fasting—which I will tell you about in a few moments.
	<blockquote></blockquote>		<blockquote></blockquote>
	In this series of messages on biblical fasting we have seen from Acts 13:3 how God changed the course of history through the fasting of the leaders in Antioch.		In this series of messages on biblical fasting we have seen from Acts 13:3 how God changed the course of history through the fasting of the leaders in Antioch.
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	This is exactly what we would expect in view of what we saw in Matthew 9:15. Recall that Jesus pictured himself as the bridegroom and said that his disciples don't fast because the bridegroom is present. But then he said, "The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast." So Jesus connects Christian fasting with our longing for the return of the bridegroom.		This is exactly what we would expect in view of what we saw in Matthew 9:15. Recall that Jesus pictured himself as the bridegroom and said that his disciples don't fast because the bridegroom is present. But then he said, "The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast." So Jesus connects Christian fasting with our longing for the return of the bridegroom.

-	The church of Christ is called to put the earnestness of fasting behind prayer, "Thy kingdom come." "''Bridegroom'', come!" Fasting is a ''physical expression of heart hunger for the second coming of Jesus.''	+	The church of Christ is called to put the earnestness of fasting behind prayer, "Thy kingdom come." "Bridegroom, come!" Fasting is a ''physical expression of heart hunger for the second coming of Jesus.''

	'''Fasting as the Counterpart to the Lord's Supper'''		'''Fasting as the Counterpart to the Lord's Supper'''
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	And since the life of the church and the evangelization of the nations is part of that preparation we cry out for that too. "Lord, revive your people. Lord, cause your Word to run and triumph." If you have eyes to see the way the world is, in contrast to the way it is supposed to be under the Lordship of Christ, you will feel plenty to fast for.		And since the life of the church and the evangelization of the nations is part of that preparation we cry out for that too. "Lord, revive your people. Lord, cause your Word to run and triumph." If you have eyes to see the way the world is, in contrast to the way it is supposed to be under the Lordship of Christ, you will feel plenty to fast for.

-	'''Anna: Fasting for the First Coming of the King'''~~<br>~~In calling for the church to fast for the coming King, we are not asking for something new. The morning's text shows us an old woman who gave almost her whole life to this sacred ministry before the King came the first time. Luke 2:36–38,	+	==== '''Anna: Fasting for the First Coming of the King''' ====
		+
		+	In calling for the church to fast for the coming King, we are not asking for something new. The morning's text shows us an old woman who gave almost her whole life to this sacred ministry before the King came the first time. Luke 2:36–38,
	<blockquote>There was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 ''And at that very moment ''she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. </blockquote>		<blockquote>There was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 ''And at that very moment ''she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. </blockquote>
	Mary and Joseph had just brought the infant Jesus into the temple. Luke tells us about two very old people, Simeon and Anna, who recognize who the baby is. What marks both of these people is that they were yearning and longing for the coming of the Messiah. In verse 25 it says that Simeon was "looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him." Jesus, the Messiah, is the consolation of Israel (vv. 26, 30).		Mary and Joseph had just brought the infant Jesus into the temple. Luke tells us about two very old people, Simeon and Anna, who recognize who the baby is. What marks both of these people is that they were yearning and longing for the coming of the Messiah. In verse 25 it says that Simeon was "looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him." Jesus, the Messiah, is the consolation of Israel (vv. 26, 30).
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	I think one of the reasons Luke tells us about Simeon and Anna is to illustrate how holy and devout people respond to the promise of Christ's coming. And how God responds to their longings. They see more than others see. They may not understand fully all the details about how the Messiah is coming—Simeon and Anna surely didn't—but God mercifully gives them a glimpse before they die, of what they so passionately wanted to see.		I think one of the reasons Luke tells us about Simeon and Anna is to illustrate how holy and devout people respond to the promise of Christ's coming. And how God responds to their longings. They see more than others see. They may not understand fully all the details about how the Messiah is coming—Simeon and Anna surely didn't—but God mercifully gives them a glimpse before they die, of what they so passionately wanted to see.

-	'''Christians: Fasting for the Second Coming of the King'''	+	==== '''Christians: Fasting for the Second Coming of the King''' ====

	Now here we are—we Christians—on the other side of the King's coming. He has come and gone away again. He has revealed his glory. He has shed his blood for sins. He has risen from the dead. He has ascended into heaven to sit at Father's right hand until he puts all his enemies under his feet. He has sent his Holy Spirit to regenerate us and sanctify us and indwell us. He has commissioned his church to disciple the nations. And he has promised in John 14:3, "I will come again."		Now here we are—we Christians—on the other side of the King's coming. He has come and gone away again. He has revealed his glory. He has shed his blood for sins. He has risen from the dead. He has ascended into heaven to sit at Father's right hand until he puts all his enemies under his feet. He has sent his Holy Spirit to regenerate us and sanctify us and indwell us. He has commissioned his church to disciple the nations. And he has promised in John 14:3, "I will come again."

Kathyyee: Protected "Fasting for the King's Coming" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite))

Kathyyee — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:19:37 GMT

Protected "Fasting for the King's Coming" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite))

← Older revision

Revision as of 13:19, 19 November 2010

Kathyyee at 13:19, 19 November 2010

Kathyyee — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:19:25 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:19, 19 November 2010
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	I think one of the reasons Luke tells us about Simeon and Anna is to illustrate how holy and devout people respond to the promise of Christ's coming. And how God responds to their longings. They see more than others see. They may not understand fully all the details about how the Messiah is coming—Simeon and Anna surely didn't—but God mercifully gives them a glimpse before they die, of what they so passionately wanted to see.		I think one of the reasons Luke tells us about Simeon and Anna is to illustrate how holy and devout people respond to the promise of Christ's coming. And how God responds to their longings. They see more than others see. They may not understand fully all the details about how the Messiah is coming—Simeon and Anna surely didn't—but God mercifully gives them a glimpse before they die, of what they so passionately wanted to see.

-	'''Christians: Fasting for the Second Coming of the King'''~~'''<br>'''~~Now here we are—we Christians—on the other side of the King's coming. He has come and gone away again. He has revealed his glory. He has shed his blood for sins. He has risen from the dead. He has ascended into heaven to sit at Father's right hand until he puts all his enemies under his feet. He has sent his Holy Spirit to regenerate us and sanctify us and indwell us. He has commissioned his church to disciple the nations. And he has promised in John 14:3, "I will come again."	+	'''Christians: Fasting for the Second Coming of the King'''
		+
		+	Now here we are—we Christians—on the other side of the King's coming. He has come and gone away again. He has revealed his glory. He has shed his blood for sins. He has risen from the dead. He has ascended into heaven to sit at Father's right hand until he puts all his enemies under his feet. He has sent his Holy Spirit to regenerate us and sanctify us and indwell us. He has commissioned his church to disciple the nations. And he has promised in John 14:3, "I will come again."

	'''How Does Our Situation Compare to Anna's?'''		'''How Does Our Situation Compare to Anna's?'''
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	Each month I will try to give some special Scripture and focus to the prayers of the Fasting Forty. This will be shared more widely so that any of you can join the 40 if you wish.		Each month I will try to give some special Scripture and focus to the prayers of the Fasting Forty. This will be shared more widely so that any of you can join the 40 if you wish.

-	From what we have seen this morning, you don't need a crisis in your life to call for fasting. All you need is a longing for the Bridegroom to come. Lord, increase our love for your appearing!	+	From what we have seen this morning, you don't need a crisis in your life to call for fasting. All you need is a longing for the Bridegroom to come. Lord, increase our love for your appearing!

-	[[Category:~~Top priority~~]]	+	[[Category:Top_priority]]

JoyaTeemer at 20:42, 22 September 2008

JoyaTeemer — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:42:17 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:42, 22 September 2008
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	Each month I will try to give some special Scripture and focus to the prayers of the Fasting Forty. This will be shared more widely so that any of you can join the 40 if you wish.		Each month I will try to give some special Scripture and focus to the prayers of the Fasting Forty. This will be shared more widely so that any of you can join the 40 if you wish.

-	From what we have seen this morning, you don't need a crisis in your life to call for fasting. All you need is a longing for the Bridegroom to come. Lord, increase our love for your appearing! ~~<br>~~	+	From what we have seen this morning, you don't need a crisis in your life to call for fasting. All you need is a longing for the Bridegroom to come. Lord, increase our love for your appearing!
		+
		+	[[Category:Top priority]]

Bhkauflin at 18:09, 9 July 2008

Bhkauflin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:09:52 GMT

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-	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org\|partner= Desiring God\|other=\|mediatype=article\|lang= English\|editor=n/a\|translator=n/a\|levels=0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Fasting for the King's Coming\|series=A Hunger for God \|topic=Spiritual Growth \|subtopic=Fasting \|month=January \|day=29 \|year=1995}}<blockquote>'''Luke 2:36-38''' </blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>	+	{{info}}<blockquote>'''Luke 2:36-38''' </blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>
	And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.		And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

Bhkauflin at 15:06, 17 June 2008

Bhkauflin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:06:50 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:06, 17 June 2008
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-	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org\|partner= Desiring God\|other=\|mediatype=article\|lang= English\|editor=n/a\|translator=n/a\|levels=0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Fasting for the King's Coming\|series=~~Sermons 1995~~ \|topic=Spiritual Growth \|subtopic=Fasting \|month=January \|day=29 \|year=1995}}<blockquote>'''Luke 2:36-38''' </blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>	+	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org\|partner= Desiring God\|other=\|mediatype=article\|lang= English\|editor=n/a\|translator=n/a\|levels=0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Fasting for the King's Coming\|series=A Hunger for God \|topic=Spiritual Growth \|subtopic=Fasting \|month=January \|day=29 \|year=1995}}<blockquote>'''Luke 2:36-38''' </blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>
	And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.		And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

Bhkauflin at 15:02, 17 June 2008

Bhkauflin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:02:43 GMT

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-	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org\|partner= Desiring God~~\|date= 29 January 1995~~\|other=~~\|series=\|categorytopic=Fasting~~\|mediatype=article\|lang= English\|editor=n/a\|translator=n/a\|levels=0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Fasting for the King's Coming}}	+	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org\|partner= Desiring God\|other=\|mediatype=article\|lang= English\|editor=n/a\|translator=n/a\|levels=0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Fasting for the King's Coming\|series=Sermons 1995 \|topic=Spiritual Growth \|subtopic=Fasting \|month=January \|day=29 \|year=1995}}<blockquote>'''Luke 2:36-38''' </blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>
-	<blockquote>'''Luke 2:36-38''' </blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>	+
	And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.		And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

Bhkauflin at 19:32, 21 May 2008

Bhkauflin — Wed, 21 May 2008 19:32:34 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:32, 21 May 2008
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-	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org\|partner= Desiring God\|date= 29 January 1995\|other=\|series=\|categorytopic=~~No topic~~\|mediatype=article\|lang= English\|editor=n/a\|translator=n/a\|levels=0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Fasting for the King's Coming}}	+	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org\|partner= Desiring God\|date= 29 January 1995\|other=\|series=\|categorytopic=Fasting\|mediatype=article\|lang= English\|editor=n/a\|translator=n/a\|levels=0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Fasting for the King's Coming}}
	<blockquote>'''Luke 2:36-38''' </blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>		<blockquote>'''Luke 2:36-38''' </blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>
	And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.		And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

CharisGalbraith at 15:01, 20 May 2008

CharisGalbraith — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:01:45 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:01, 20 May 2008
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-	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org\|partner= Desiring God\|date= 29 January 1995\|other=\|series=\|categorytopic=No topic\|mediatype=article\|lang= English\|editor=n/a\|translator=n/a\|levels=0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Fasting for the King's Coming}}	+	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org\|partner= Desiring God\|date= 29 January 1995\|other=\|series=\|categorytopic=No topic\|mediatype=article\|lang= English\|editor=n/a\|translator=n/a\|levels=0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Fasting for the King's Coming}}
-	~~</blockquote>~~<blockquote>'''Luke 2:36-38''' </blockquote><blockquote>	+	<blockquote>'''Luke 2:36-38''' </blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>
	And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.		And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

CharisGalbraith at 15:01, 20 May 2008

CharisGalbraith — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:01:18 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:01, 20 May 2008
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-	~~<blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>~~{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org\|partner= Desiring God\|date= 29 January 1995\|other=\|series=\|categorytopic=No topic\|mediatype=article\|lang= English\|editor=n/a\|translator=n/a\|levels=0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Fasting for the King's Coming}}</blockquote><blockquote>'''Luke 2:36-38''' </blockquote><blockquote>	+	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org\|partner= Desiring God\|date= 29 January 1995\|other=\|series=\|categorytopic=No topic\|mediatype=article\|lang= English\|editor=n/a\|translator=n/a\|levels=0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Fasting for the King's Coming}}
-	And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.	+	</blockquote><blockquote>'''Luke 2:36-38''' </blockquote><blockquote>
-	</blockquote>	+	And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
		+	</blockquote>
	'''Introduction'''<br>We come to the end of January and the call to fast for one day a week this month. I hope we can make time soon to tell each other what God has done this month. Just listening to the staff recount the surprising works of God last Tuesday in our prayer meeting gives me strong encouragement to press on in some kind of corporate fasting—which I will tell you about in a few moments.		'''Introduction'''<br>We come to the end of January and the call to fast for one day a week this month. I hope we can make time soon to tell each other what God has done this month. Just listening to the staff recount the surprising works of God last Tuesday in our prayer meeting gives me strong encouragement to press on in some kind of corporate fasting—which I will tell you about in a few moments.
-	<blockquote></blockquote>	+	<blockquote></blockquote>
	In this series of messages on biblical fasting we have seen from Acts 13:3 how God changed the course of history through the fasting of the leaders in Antioch.		In this series of messages on biblical fasting we have seen from Acts 13:3 how God changed the course of history through the fasting of the leaders in Antioch.

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	In Luke 18:7–8 Jesus says,		In Luke 18:7–8 Jesus says,
-	<blockquote>Will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth? </blockquote>	+	<blockquote>Will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth? </blockquote>
	Have you seriously considered that Jesus has appointed a way for us to prepare for his own second coming? God will send the Son of Man and vindicate his elect who "cry to him day and night." Cry what? Cry, "Thy kingdom come!" "Come back, O precious bridegroom. Come reign as King. Come, vindicate your people. Come, marry your bride."		Have you seriously considered that Jesus has appointed a way for us to prepare for his own second coming? God will send the Son of Man and vindicate his elect who "cry to him day and night." Cry what? Cry, "Thy kingdom come!" "Come back, O precious bridegroom. Come reign as King. Come, vindicate your people. Come, marry your bride."

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	'''Anna: Fasting for the First Coming of the King'''<br>In calling for the church to fast for the coming King, we are not asking for something new. The morning's text shows us an old woman who gave almost her whole life to this sacred ministry before the King came the first time. Luke 2:36–38,		'''Anna: Fasting for the First Coming of the King'''<br>In calling for the church to fast for the coming King, we are not asking for something new. The morning's text shows us an old woman who gave almost her whole life to this sacred ministry before the King came the first time. Luke 2:36–38,
-	<blockquote>There was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 ''And at that very moment ''she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. </blockquote>	+	<blockquote>There was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 ''And at that very moment ''she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. </blockquote>
	Mary and Joseph had just brought the infant Jesus into the temple. Luke tells us about two very old people, Simeon and Anna, who recognize who the baby is. What marks both of these people is that they were yearning and longing for the coming of the Messiah. In verse 25 it says that Simeon was "looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him." Jesus, the Messiah, is the consolation of Israel (vv. 26, 30).		Mary and Joseph had just brought the infant Jesus into the temple. Luke tells us about two very old people, Simeon and Anna, who recognize who the baby is. What marks both of these people is that they were yearning and longing for the coming of the Messiah. In verse 25 it says that Simeon was "looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him." Jesus, the Messiah, is the consolation of Israel (vv. 26, 30).