The Thanksgiving And Testimony Of Anna.

THE THANKSGIVING AND TESTIMONY OF ANNA.

Luke 2:36-40.

Anna was a prophetess of great age, who departed not from the temple, and served God with fasting and prayers both night and day. It is interesting that Luke calls her a "prophetess," since we have long been taught that there was no prophecy in Israel for over four hundred years, from Malachi to John the Baptist. Perhaps this is another part of the miracle which we call 'Christmas.'

This devout woman probably witnessed the presentation of the baby Jesus, and added her own thanksgiving to the message of Simeon. Furthermore, she "spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Israel" (Luke 2:38). Anna shared about Jesus, bringing hope to the hopeful.

We are told nothing about what Anna said, but her testimony, like that of John the Baptist (cf. John 3:30), pointed away from herself to Jesus. Thus there were two witnesses, one a man and one a woman, to the fulfilment of the prophecy: ‘the Messenger of the Covenant in whom you delight will suddenly come to His temple’ (Malachi 3:1).

It is noticeable that Joseph and Mary were devout, too. They did not go home until they had "performed all things according to the law of the Lord" (Luke 2:39). This set the pattern for Jesus' life and upbringing until, at last, He presented Himself as an adult for the baptism of John (Matthew 3:15).

The passage ends with Jesus growing, and becoming strong in spirit, "filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him" (Luke 2:40; cf. 1 Samuel 2:26; Luke 2:52).

Jesus is as truly man as He is truly God!