Have You Experienced the Joy of Anna?

© 2017 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

Anna was a Godly woman who experienced great sorrow.  Scripture introduces her as an old lady who had married ninety-one years earlier.  However, only seven years later, she became a widow.  Since then God had been the central love of her life.  He had used her to prophesy His truth.  Scripture shows that she had constantly served God.

“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.” (Luke 2:36)

Joseph and Mary had just presented baby Jesus to Simeon at the Jerusalem temple.  This event was the long awaited climax of Simeon’s entire life.  Scripture describes this scene as follows:

“Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,  Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:  For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;  A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:28‑32)

Joseph and Mary had marveled at the things Simeon said.  As Simeon concluded his prophetic declarations concerning this baby, the widow Anna entered.  She, too, had been waiting all those years for this one great Savior to arrive on the scene.  Now God had given her the opportunity to see Him with her very own eyes!  Scripture describes Anna’s response to this great favor God was showing her.

“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 2:38)

Anna had now climaxed her long years of widowhood with great thanksgiving.  She praised the eternal love of her life.  To whom did she speak?  She spoke to everyone else who had been yearning for her beloved and only Savior of sinners.  She spoke of Jesus Christ, her Redeemer and Lord!  Her words still bless us today.

Have you, as Anna, become a recipient and agent of God’s love, or have you replaced Jesus with other holiday heroes?

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