And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

The verses we have now read, introduce us to a servant of God whose name is nowhere else mentioned in the New Testament.

Let us observe, in these verses — the character of a holy woman, before the establishment of Christ's Gospel.

Anna was a woman of irreproachable character.

Anna was a woman who loved God's house.

Anna was a woman of great self-denial.

Anna was a woman of much prayer.

Anna was a woman who held communion with other saints.

And Anna received a rich reward for all her diligence in God's service, before she left the world. She was allowed to see Him who had been so long promised, and for whose coming she had so often prayed. Her faith was at last changed to sight — and her hope to certainty! The joy of this holy woman must indeed have been "unspeakable and full of glory." (1 Peter 1:8.)

It would be well for all Christian women to ponder the character of Anna, and learn wisdom from it. The times, no doubt, are greatly changed. The social duties of the Christian are very different from those of the Jewish believer at Jerusalem. All are not placed by God in the condition of widows . But still, after every deduction — there remains much in Anna's history which is worthy of imitation. When we read of her consistency , and holiness , and prayerfulness , and self-denial — we cannot but wish that many daughters of the Christian Church would strive to be like her!

Let us observe, secondly, in these verses — the description given of saints in Jerusalem in the time when Jesus was born.

Let us learn a lesson from these godly people. If they, with so few helps and so many discouragements, lived such a life of faith — then how much more ought we with a finished Bible and a full Gospel — to live by faith. Let us strive, like them, to walk by faith and look forward.

The second advent of Christ is yet to come. The complete "redemption" of this earth from sin, and Satan, and the curse — is yet to take place. Let us declare plainly by our lives and conduct, that we look and long for this second coming. We may be sure that the highest style of Christianity even now, is to "wait for redemption," and to love the Lord's appearing. (Romans 8:23; 2 Timothy 4:8.)

Let us observe, lastly, in these verses — what clear proof we have that the Lord Jesus was really and truly man , as well as God.

There is, doubtless, much that is deeply mysterious in the Person of the Lord Jesus. How the same Person could be at once perfect God and perfect man — is a point that necessarily surpasses our understanding. In what manner and measure, and in what proportion at the early part of His life — that divine knowledge which He doubtless possessed, was exercised — we cannot possibly explain. It is a lofty truth. We cannot attain unto it.

One thing, however, is perfectly clear, and we shall do well to lay firm hold upon it. Our Lord partook of everything that belongs to man's nature — sin only excepted. As man, He was born an infant. As man, He grew from infancy to boyhood. As man, He yearly increased in bodily strength and mental power, during His passage from boyhood to full age. Of all the sinless conditions of man's body, its first feebleness, its after growth, its regular progress to maturity — He was in the fullest sense a partaker. We must rest satisfied with knowing this. To pry beyond, is useless. To know this clearly, is of much importance. An absence of settled knowledge of it, has led to many wild heresies.

One comfortable practical lesson stands out on the face of this truth, which ought never to be overlooked. Our Lord is able to sympathize with man in every stage of man's existence, from the cradle to the grave. He knows by experience the nature and temperament of — the child, the boy, and the young man. He has stood in their place. He has occupied their position. He knows their hearts.

Let us never forget this, in dealing with young people about their souls. Let us tell them confidently, that there is One in Heaven at the right hand of God, who is exactly suited to be their Friend. He who died on the cross — was once a boy Himself, and feels a special interest in boys and girls, as well as in grown up people.