Anna (Luke 2:36-38)

2022-12-25

When Jesus was presented in the Temple as a baby, two people waiting for the promises of the coming Christ are mentioned. The first was Simeon, who prophesied concerning our Lord. The second was Anna. We do not know much about her. This is what we do know:

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38)
  1. She was a prophetess. To prophesy is to preach. She told others about the Lord from His word. She was led of the Lord by fasting and praying incessantly.
  2. She was from the tribe of Asher. The northern tribes were taken away to Assyria centuries before and many of them had intermarried with other peoples, such as the Samaritans. Anna was one who knew her lineage.
  3. Anna was a widow. This would mean that she likely had no regular income. She relied on the Lord to provide for her. She was a widow since she was young and was likely over 100 years old.
  4. Anna was devoted fully to the Lord. We saw previously her devotion to the Lord, fasting and praying all day and night. Serving the Lord was her complete vocation.
  5. Anna sought Jesus. Like Simeon, she was able to identify this eight-day old baby as the Messiah. She knew, believed, and waited for the promises of the Lord and therefore knew when He came. The Lord led Simeon and Anna to Jesus at the same time.
  6. Anna gave thanks. When you encounter the Lord, all you can do is give thanks because there is nothing you can offer Him, being Lord of all. He offers salvation; all we can do is give thanks.
  7. Anna preached about His coming. Others were looking for the Savior, so Anna told them that the long-awaited Christ had come. This is how she was a preacher.

Much of Anna’s life should be our lives. Give thanks that Jesus came to save us. Continue to seek the Lord with everything. Tell the world that the Lord has come, and that He is coming again. By His death, we are made whole. By His risen life, we live eternally.