“Anna”
A study of Anna, the prophetess, as recorded in Luke 2:36-38, is a wonderful way to start the New Year. Although she is part of the Christmas story, the truths she lived out are an inspiration and model for us to follow as we consider the New Year and all the opportunities it holds. I believe you, as I, will be encouraged by this study of her life. Listen now with open hearts to the three verses of Scripture that record for us her life:
“And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Anna was a prophetess, which means she received direct revelation from God (usually about future events) and passed it along to others. This gift tells us that Anna was one who spoke forth truth. Her life represented the Truth. Her name means “grace” and reminds us of Hannah in the Old Testament whose name also means grace or gracious. Anna was the daughter of Phanuel whose name means the “face of God”. What a beautiful picture the title and name associated with her give us of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was full of grace and truth. John 1:14 tells us, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Christ is also the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God. Paul writes, “…in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:4-6)
Anna was also of the tribe or family of Asher. Asher was the eighth son of Jacob and his named means “happy” or “blessed.” Anna knew the blessings of God and true happiness even though her outward circumstances may have indicated otherwise. Because her life represented the truth and grace of God in Christ, her joy was made full. The apostle John would later record the words of Christ as he spoke of what Anna surely experienced during her days. “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11) I wonder as you read this if you have the joy Anna experienced and Jesus promised to those who trust in Him?
The Bible says Anna “was advanced in years”. There are two accepted interpretations concerning Anna’s age. One is that she was over 100 years of age. Jewish woman in Anna’s day could marry as early as the age twelve. If this were true for Anna, she would have been nineteen when her husband died and a widow for eight-four years. This would make her 103 years old! The other interpretation is that Anna was eight-four. Although Anna was advanced in years, I don’t believe she was old. You might say she discovered the fountain of youth that is available to each of us by grace through faith in Christ. The Bible says, “How blessed is the man (or woman) who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:1-3) Where is your delight today as we embark on a New Year? Is your delight in the Lord? Delight in Him and He will give you the joys of your heart in 2005.
Anna’s years were fruitful for the Lord and proved the words of the prophet Isaiah concerning the Lord’s servants: “He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:29-31) Therefore Anna was in the “we crowd” to which every Christian should belong and the Apostle Paul would later write about: “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)
The word “years” in this verse can also be translated “days.” I prefer the word “days” because Anna did not view time from the past but in the present and future. She didn’t focus on lost opportunities but opportunities yet to be gained. To Anna, each day was a gift from God to be lived for His Glory. The psalmist agrees for he tells us what Anna knew: “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Anna learned from the words of Moses: “So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) And Anna’s heart of wisdom taught her not to worry about tomorrow; for she knew tomorrow will care for itself. (Read Matthew 6:34)
Anna “lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow”. The word “marriage” or “virginity” and the word “lived” in the Greek imply Anna lived life morally and with godly character. She was a light for others to see. However, Anna was not immune from trials and tribulations. She knew the grief of losing a husband and the pain it brings to the heart. Being a widow who was a widow indeed in Anna’s day was devastating. She would not be able make a livelihood and would be dependent upon God’s people or remarriage to survive.
Rightfully so, the figure of a widow is often used metaphorically in the Bible to describe a city stripped of its inhabitants and riches. This would describe Anna well if you looked at her life outwardly through secular eyes. After seven years of marriage she was suddenly without her husband and any means of support. But, Anna was rich beyond measure and never found herself alone or forsaken! Perhaps the Apostle Paul was thinking of her when he wrote: “Honor widows who are widows indeed…Now she who is a widow indeed, and who has been left alone has fixed her hope on God, and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day.” (1 Timothy 5:2 & 6) Anna lived what she believed and had the power to exert the same influence upon other souls. Anna was an example for others to emulate. Should this not be our challenge as believers in 2005?
Why did Anna succeed under adverse circumstances when so many others did not? How did she become a prominent figure in the Christmas story? One reason is that ANNA LEARNED TO DAILY ABIDE IN CHRIST. Verse 37 says, “She never left the temple.” She never fell away or became faithless. She kept trusting and obeying. Anna believed and depended upon God not only to supply her every need but also to use her life for His Glory. She dwelt with Christ and talked to him each day as she would her own husband if he were still living. Jesus Christ would later tell us in John 15:4 the secret Anna discovered: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” Are you abiding in Him? It really is no secret what God can do. What he has done for Anna, he will do for you.
Second, ANNA WAS A SERVANT. What an aspiration for us to achieve in 2005. The Scripture says Anna was “serving night and day”. She served God and man and remained in a state of readiness for opportunities the Lord would bring her way. Like Jesus, she saw her purpose to serve not to be served. Verse 37 says Anna served night and day “with fastings and prayers.” Notice the emphasis placed on “fastings and prayers” as a significant type of service in the eyes of God. The enemy would have us think it is the least form of service when the battle is actually won on our knees. Anna serves as an example well because she was continuously seeking, asking, entreating the Lord on behalf of others. She truly esteemed others more highly than herself.
Third, ANNA HAD A THANKFUL HEART. She learned to see people and circumstances through the eyes of a merciful and gracious God. God granted her eyes to see and ears to hear. Dr. Luke says, “At that very moment she (Anna) came up and began giving thanks to God.” Because Anna readily represented to others the truth and grace found in Christ; because she abided daily in Christ, she saw what only the prophet Simeon had the joy of touching that day. Amongst all the religious leaders in the Temple; amongst all the scribes and Pharisees, only Anna and Simeon were able to see and touch the Messiah. Anna knew this Christ child was her source of joy and happiness.
Therefore, she could in everything give thanks. Like the writer of Hebrews, Anna would have said to us in 2005: “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15-16)
Finally, ANNA WAS A LIFESTYLE WITNESS FOR JESUS CHRIST. She “continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Anna sought the Lord for witnessing and teaching opportunities each day with those looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Her daily prayer was for the Lord to bring across her path someone who needed to hear from the Lord – someone looking for deliverance from the penalty of sin and willing to accept the good news of Jesus Christ.
Is there a more worthy New Year’s resolution for us? Jerusalem means “possession of peace.” Through our lives in 2005 may many come to personally know this “possession of peace” found only in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This was Anna’s heart’s desire and it should be ours in 2005. Jesus paid it ALL, all to Him we owe,
Give Him the Glory!
