A Couple Sentences
Debbie Gabbara
“Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.” Luke 2:36
Scripture only gives us three verses, Luke 2:36-38, to learn about Anna, but there is a lot packed into this short passage of God’s Word. God tells us who she was, who her father was, and even the tribe they came from. Then in the next couple of sentences, God gives us a glimpse into Anna’s entire life.
Anna was a prophetess. One definition of a prophet(ess) is “a proclaimer of the will of God.” In a time in Jewish history when God had been silent for 400 years, Scripture calls Anna a prophetess. Luke tells us that she was a widow who “did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day” (Luke 2:37).
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV), Paul writes, ”Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Anna never gave up. Some scholars say that Anna was 84 years old when we meet her in Scripture, and others say she had been a widow for 84 years and was about 104 or 105 years old. Either way, she was an elderly woman who had spent her entire adult life praying, fasting, and looking for God to save His people. I wonder if she was surprised that the Savior came as a tiny baby boy?
Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Anna was there. I recently read a quote that said, “Being in the right place at the right time is more about the place than the timing.” Anna was in the right place at the right time. She had made seeking God her life’s work. Her devotion was rewarded and she was there when Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus to be dedicated to the Father.
In 1 Kings 8:61, we are reminded, “Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God.”
Anna shared the news of the Savior. God blessed Anna’s devoutness and allowed her to see the baby Jesus and be there when Simeon blessed Him. Then, in that instant, she began to tell everyone about the One who had come to save God’s people.
Luke 2:38 (KJV) says, “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.”
If your life was reduced to just a couple of sentences, what would it say about you? Would the short statement tell of your love and devotion to God?
Jesus tells us to go and tell everyone of the One who has come to save us! It is clearly commanded, “And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone’” (Mark 16:15 NLT).
Debbie Gabbara
“Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.” Luke 2:36
Scripture only gives us three verses, Luke 2:36-38, to learn about Anna, but there is a lot packed into this short passage of God’s Word. God tells us who she was, who her father was, and even the tribe they came from. Then in the next couple of sentences, God gives us a glimpse into Anna’s entire life.
Anna was a prophetess. One definition of a prophet(ess) is “a proclaimer of the will of God.” In a time in Jewish history when God had been silent for 400 years, Scripture calls Anna a prophetess. Luke tells us that she was a widow who “did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day” (Luke 2:37).
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV), Paul writes, ”Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Anna never gave up. Some scholars say that Anna was 84 years old when we meet her in Scripture, and others say she had been a widow for 84 years and was about 104 or 105 years old. Either way, she was an elderly woman who had spent her entire adult life praying, fasting, and looking for God to save His people. I wonder if she was surprised that the Savior came as a tiny baby boy?
Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Anna was there. I recently read a quote that said, “Being in the right place at the right time is more about the place than the timing.” Anna was in the right place at the right time. She had made seeking God her life’s work. Her devotion was rewarded and she was there when Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus to be dedicated to the Father.
In 1 Kings 8:61, we are reminded, “Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God.”
Anna shared the news of the Savior. God blessed Anna’s devoutness and allowed her to see the baby Jesus and be there when Simeon blessed Him. Then, in that instant, she began to tell everyone about the One who had come to save God’s people.
Luke 2:38 (KJV) says, “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.”
If your life was reduced to just a couple of sentences, what would it say about you? Would the short statement tell of your love and devotion to God?
Jesus tells us to go and tell everyone of the One who has come to save us! It is clearly commanded, “And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone’” (Mark 16:15 NLT).
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