GOSPEL READING:
Luke 2:36-4036 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Meditation: Where do you place your trust and hope for a
life of peace, freedom and happiness? Scripture tells us that
those who place their trust in God will not be disappointed
(Isaiah 49:23, Psalm 62:8, Proverbs 3:5-6). In every age, God has
placed in the hearts of his people, from the descendants of Adam,
Noah, Abraham, the prophets, and King David, a longing and a hope
for a Redeemer who will bring us God's kingdom of peace, joy, and
righteousness. We see the great unfolding of God's plan of
redemption in the birth of Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of
God before all ages, who became a man to redeem his people from
sin and oppression.
The long expected newborn Messiah is presented in the
Temple at Jerusalem
Luke the Evangelist records the coming of the Christ child (God's
Anointed Messiah) to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his
birth in Bethlehem (Luke 2:22-24). Joseph and Mary brought the
child Jesus with them to the temple to fulfill the Jewish
ceremony, recorded in the law of Moses, for the "redemption of the
firstborn child" (Exodus 3:2) and the ritual purification of the
mother after childbirth (Leviticus 12:2-8). As Joseph and Mary
presented their offering and dedicated the child Jesus in the
temple, Anna, a godly woman of great age (84 years) who was filled
with the Holy Spirit immediately recognized that this child was
the promised Messiah and heir to the throne of David. She publicly
"gave thanks to God and spoke of him [who is the Christ - the
Anointed Messiah] to all who were looking for the redemption of
Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38).
Anna's persevering hope and reward of seeing Christ face to
face
What is the significance of Anna's witness and prophetic
proclamation of the Messiah's coming to his temple? Luke calls
Anna a prophetess because she had dedicated her life to
the service of God's word through prayer and fasting. Like Simeon
(Luke 2:25-35) and all the prophets of the Old Testament, she was
attentive to God's word and she spoke prophetically - under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit - to others of God's plan of
salvation for his people. She spent her days in the house of the
Lord (the Temple) where she offered up daily prayers and
intercession for her people.
Anna did not grow weary of placing her trust in God and his
promises. Here hope and trust in God did not waver but grew with
age.What enabled Anna to persevere for so many years and through
difficult times, such as the loss of her husband, and through the
trials of advancing old age? She never ceased to give thanks to
God each and every day. She worshiped God in daily prayer, and
with fasting and intercession on behalf of her people. And she
never ceased to cling to God's word and to speak of his word to
others to bring them encouragement and hope. She believed with
hopeful expectation that she would one day see her Lord and
Redeemer face to face. Anna is a model of persevering faith and
hope to all who hunger for God and for his saving word.
The Holy Spirit renews our hope in the promise of God
Where do you place your hope? We can easily grow
discouraged when trials and setbacks come our way, and we can grow
cynical or give in to despair when failing health and advancing age
rob us of our natural strength. Life's shortcomings and
disappointments can either weigh us down or press us closer to God.
The choice is ours - to rely on ourselves and our own strength or to
put our trust wholly in God alone and in the grace and strength
which he provides. Scripture reminds us that God gives us a
(supernatural) hope beyond hope, a (divine) love stronger than
death, and a (spiritual and unceasing) joy that no earthly sorrow or
suffering can take away.
Is your hope in this present life only? The hope which God places in
our heart is the desire and longing for a home and a kingdom of
unceasing joy and happiness with God our Creator and Father. The
Lord Jesus has won for us an enduring kingdom of righteousness,
peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). The Holy Spirit
who dwells in us renews and strengthens our hope day by day as we
listen to God's word and believe in his promises. God never fails
because his promises are true and he is faithful. The hope which God
places within us through the gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to
persevere with confident trust in God even in the face of daily
trails, setbacks, and challenges that come our way.
The reward of seeking God's kingdom first
Is there anything holding you back from giving God your
unqualified yes to his will and plan for your life? Allow the Lord
Jesus to flood your heart with his peace, joy, and love. And offer
to God everything you have and desire - your life, family,
friends, health, and provision for the future. If you seek his
kingdom first (Matthew 6:33), he will give you everything you need
to know, love, and serve him now and to enjoy him forever in his
everlasting kingdom of joy and peace.
Lord Jesus, you alone are my hope and life. May I never cease to place all my trust in your unfailing love and mercy. Fill me with the joy and strength of the Holy Spirit that I may boldly point others to your saving presence and word of eternal life.
Psalm 96:7-10
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9 Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, "The LORD is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity."
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Jesus, though rich, became poor for us, by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"Anna, who, by reason of her years of widowhood and her virtues,
is set before us as wholly worthy of belief, announces that the
Redeemer of all people has come... Not without purpose, however,
does he make mention of the eighty-four years of her widowhood,
because both the seven twelves and the two forties seemed to imply
a number that is sacred."(excerpt from EXPOSITION
OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.62)
