Read: And at that very moment she [Anna] came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak about Him to all those who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:38

Examine: In Luke 2, we see Mary and Joseph present the newborn child, Jesus, to the Lord in the temple at Jerusalem. As part of Jewish custom, keeping with decrees handed down by Moses. Along with presenting the child, the parents offered a sacrifice.

When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the temple, they also encountered two prophets who praised God in a grateful display of thanksgiving. One of these prophets was a woman named Anna.

Luke 2:36-37 tells us Anna was the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. At 84, she was considered “very old,” and had been a widow for many years. She only had seven years with her husband before his passing, and she had lived in the temple as a widow since. Scripture tells us “She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” (v. 37).

As we’re told in Luke 2:38, “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.”, The Bible contains only three sentences about Anna the prophetess, but they are important lines.

Application: Anna was both diligent and fiercely loyal to God, fasting and praying constantly. A widow in the temple, the situation was not favorable. Still so consistent for that long. What an example to follow. It is so striking to read what scripture says ”never left the temple”. Oh! that we were always in His presence.

When Anna saw Jesus, the Spirit surely opened her eyes, and Anna was unable to contain her excitement. She expressed fervent thanks and praise to the Lord and proclaimed the child to all who would hear (v. 38). When we have Jesus in our life and see Him, do we really have this kind of Joy?

Do we share about Jesus and the joy of meeting him, like Anna continued to speak about Him to all those who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem? Luke 2:38.

A woman wholly dedicated to the Lord, she was rewarded for her great faith with a glimpse of the promised one, the Messiah of Jerusalem.

Decision: Father Lord, I want to be like Anna, never leave your presence, be fiercely loyal, and be consistent in studying, obeying the word of God, and praying. Let my joy be complete in meeting you and having regular encounters with you.

Lord, I dedicate my life to sharing the joy of meeting You to others so that they might also meet You Jesus, and accept You as the savior of their lives.