“and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.”
Jesus was taken to the temple to be circumcised eight days after his birth. Jesus’ birth came with confirmation from Simeon and Anna in the temple. Simeon’s prophetic praise (Luke 2:25-35) and Anna’s testimony point to Jesus as being the promised Messiah who will rescue the people of God.
We do not know much about Anna. We know that she was a prophetess from the tribe of Asher. Anna was married for seven years before her husband died. Luke records that Anna has been a widow for eighty-four years and served in the temple.
While we do not know much about Anna we know that she was a woman of faith and devotion to God. Luke 2:37 says, “She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.” Anna was constantly around the temple. She either lived in a building attached to the temple or this was a way of stating that she spent considerable amount of time in the temple. Either way, this widow devoted her entire life to serving God.
Reading Anna’s short biography has me reflecting on my own. What would be said about my faith? Am I fully devoted to the worship and work of God?
I pray that I would be able to answer these questions with a yes – not so that my name would be positively remembered throughout the generations but so that my limited time on earth would point to the Name that is above all other names – the name of Jesus.
Live It:
- If your name showed up in the Bible, what would your short bio include? Would your faith be recorded?
- Are you fully devoted to the work and worship of Jesus?
Christ Chronological: Luke 2:21-38
Want to connect to the Facebook Community? Join today and receive the devotions to your Newsfeed each morning. Read It. Live It. Devotion Facebook Group.
Chase Snyder
Writer, Pastor
