Living in The House of the Lord-Anna's Story

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 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. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

Luke 2:36-40

Some people just persevere; they just don't give up when life hits them in the face. So is the second person to meet the child Jesus in the temple. I mean, imagine...losing your spouse after only 7 years of marriage...and if you are a woman in these times...not many available options. But, Anna didn't give up...her faith, her gift of prophecy, her endurance lead her to the one place where she could be considered "useful"...God's holy temple.

Notice what we find Anna doing in her "regular" day:

• Worshiping...day and night
• Praying
• Fasting

Hmmm, most of us have a hard time "worshiping" in our "temple" 6 hours a week...much less "day and night." As for me, I think I would have enjoyed "hanging out" with this first century 84 year old worshiper...I believe I could have learned from her...I believe I could have deepened my relationship with God by being around her.

Think about this...at this point of Luke's story we have met 2 people who "recognized" the Christ...but, look at their lives, look at their righteousness, look at their hearts. Maybe if we would become more like Simeon and Anna...we could "recognize" Christ in our lives more clearly.

May we come to a "daily" worship that opens both our eyes and our hearts to recognize Christ.

A Closer Look at Anna

• Anna is the same name as Hannah, meaning "He was gracious." 1 Sam. 1:20


• Anna was a prophetess. Scripture records 3 named prophetesses: Miriam (Ex. 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4) and Huldah (2 Chron. 34:22). In the New Testament, we are told that Philip had 4 daughters that prophesied. (Acts 21:8-9)


• Anna was the daughter of Phanuel. The same as Peniel, meaning "Face of God" (Gen.:32:20). Ironic, that this worshiper, this humble servant would one day see the true "face of God".
  

Questions To Discuss:
1. Who was Anna? (2:36-37) What was her response to finding Mary, Joseph, and Christ in the temple? (2:38)
2. In what ways do you see God working behind the scenes in the events of Christ’s childhood?
3. In what ways are Simeon and Anna examples to us? What roles can other Christians have in our life of faith? As a Christian, what role can you have in another Christian’s life of faith?