Luke 2:36 – 38
Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer
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 G-d with fastings 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.
The first evangelists were the shepherds of Bethlehem, another was Simeon, whom the Father promised wouldn’t see death until he’d seen the Hope of Israel.
Anna’s words are not recorded, but her evangelism was one of consolation. There was a presence in the land now, a feeling of hope, however misguided later when Jesus began His ministry.
Even then, they were coming to Him, but had no idea of the impact of Simeon’s prophecy: “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against….that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” (Luke 2: 34-35)
But Anna’s words didn’t speak to the power of His ministry in taking on the religious leaders of His day, but to the hearts of the multitudes that would follow Him to hear once again that the Father loved them, and saw them in their wretched moral, mortal states and wanted to bless them, be kind to them, show them mercy, and ultimately save them from the things they couldn’t see that kept them in spiritual bondage.
Even then, there were those in the temple seeking to get right with G-d, seeking forgiveness of sins, seeking justice from being wronged, and petitioning the Father’s throne with rites and rituals according to the Law He’d given them, but here was a new and better way.
As we enter into a season that has all but forgotten the Way and the importance of our heavenly Redeemer, let us hold fast to His Word that we are still loved, seen in our present state, and He is yet merciful and kind, wanting to bless us.
But let us not forget that He is also coming again, not as the Lamb of G-d but the Lion of Judah. While it is our pleasure to give Him thanks for ourselves, we, like Anna, are to prophesy and comfort those still looking for redemption.
That is how we are to serve Him, worshiping in spirit and truth, speaking with authority, ministering in love, and moving always in compassion.
We need not be temple prophets; our temples are wherever He is in the midst of us.
Therefore I pray:
Lord Jesus,
Today, let us recapture the joy of the shepherds who preached all over the place, all night, blessing the Father that You were sent to us to redeem us to Him, for we were, and are, too weak and sinful to stand in His presence. As your most intrepid Apostle said, ‘I do the things I don’t want to do.’(Romans 7:15)
As the season of giving corrupts itself as we prosper, let the remnant of us keep still and silent as You search the thoughts of our hearts, and purge that which is not of You, not like You, and not through You.
We remember today that our very lives, much less our blessings, are received from Heaven by the Father’s will, which You have shown us.
We remember today the miracles You’ve performed on our behalf, the grace and mercy You’ve shown us by not condemning us, the love You show by continuing to abide with us, giving thanks and breaking bread with our souls that the Scriptures might be open to us.
We remember today not to turn away so that the lamps of our bodies remain good, and our hard hearts looking for redemption become broken, penitent, and new as they burn with Your light through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We remember today to bless the Father, that He’s done a new thing in our lives, and that we are assured in You, through Calvary, that the greatest gift of all is the chief end of man: to glorify G-d and enjoy Him forever.
May it be done to us as You have said.
Amen.
believer55 