Anna Beholds Jesus | The Wolfe Notes

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the English Standard Version (ESV) translation.

Anna Beholds Jesus
(From Luke 2:36-38)
"The Sun Shines Through" image by sunny days at Pixabay

1. Summary

As Simeon finished speaking to Mary, Anna, a widowed prophetess who served in the temple for most of her adult life, approached Jesus' small family - speaking praises as she did. Anna continued to spread the news of Jesus' arrival to all who hoped for a savior.

2. N/W/L Statements

I NOTICED that both Simeon and Anna were devout. When they encountered Jesus, they immediately started praising God.
I WONDER how many prophets were present? How did one become a prophet, was it by appointment or based on trust? Do I praise God enough? How many things do I miss because I don't know God enough.
I think God wants us to LEARN that if we make God matter to us, we are better equipped to recognize when He moves.

3. Key Verse

When [Anna] approached Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, she began speaking out thanks to God, and she continued spreading the word about Jesus to all those who shared her hope for the rescue of Jerusalem. Luke 2:38 (VOICE)

This verse encapsulates the entire encounter. It shows me a proper response to encountering God: thankfulness followed by telling others the good news. When you have encountered the One your soul has waited for, you want everyone to know.

4. God's Character

God is relational. He reveals more of who He as you seek to know Him more. (Anna immediately recognized the presence of His Son because of her deep devotion.)

"And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. I Chronicles 28:9
The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. Psalm 25:14
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (Sing it with Kari Jobe "The More I Seek You".)

God is worthy of praise. (Anna's immediate response to Jesus was to cry out in thankfulness.)

And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." Luke 5:5-8
Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "you are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true."...So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" John 4:16-18, 28
The angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, "Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?" She said, "I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai." The angel of the LORD said to her, "Return to your mistress and submit to her." The angel of the LORD also said to her, "I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude...So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, "You are a God of seeing," for she said, "Truly I have seen him who looks after me." Genesis 16:7-10, 13

5. Pray

Father God, what I put into my relationship with You is what I get out of it. So if I truly want to understand and see how You are moving, I must spend time in Your Word, and I must show that I trust what You teach me by doing what Your Word tells me to do. Then, when You move, I'll know it, because I am so familiar with who You are and how You move. Father, please show me how to keep growing ever closer to You. Teach me to always watch for You to move, and fill me with patience and anticipation while I wait.

6. Act

Talk to God like a friend, about anything and everything.
Seek to understand why He says what He says and does what He does. Then do as He does and speak as He speaks.
Watch for evidence of His presence in Your life and praise Him for it. Consider recording it so you can bring it to mind from time to time.

7. Annotation Notes

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, x a cross reference, ! a connection, and italics a referenced source.

? How did one become a prophetess? Was it by divine appointment and based on faith that they heard from God?

A prophet would have been 'verified'. We can tell a prophet is genuine if what they say comes true. (For a related sermon, watch "Hearing God Clearly: How to Discern What is True" by Grant Agler.)
x when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him. Deuteronomy 18:22

Sample these related posts:

To review how Simeon beheld Jesus.
For a word study on praise.
For encouragement to look for evidence of His goodness even in times of doubt.
To browse our GROWTH for Today Bible study plans.
For a review of a book on prayer.

Interested in more faith-related blogs? Then you're looking for Faith Food. At Faith Food, you'll find links to all our faith-related blogs and a short description of each.

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