“And there was a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She
was advanced in years, having lived with her husband
seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then
as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not
depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and
prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very
hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of
him to all who were waiting for the redemption of
Jerusalem.”
+ Luke 2:36-38
A couple of football fans were
surprised to see that there was an empty seat in
front of them at the Super Bowl. At a slow moment in
the game, they asked the woman next to the empty
seat about it. "It was my husband's," the woman
explained, "But he died." "Oh I'm very sorry," said
the man. "Yet I'm really surprised that a relative
or friend, didn't jump at the chance to take the
seat reserved for him." "Beats me," she said. "They
all insisted on going to the funeral."
Now that’s funny! You and I have seen
sports fans who are so dedicated to their team that
this could almost be a real story. It’s the kind of
dedication that reminds me of one of my favorite
Bible people, Anna.
Anna didn’t need a pulpit to tell
others about God. By what we are told, she had a
life that would leave us worrying about her even by
today’s standards. Married only for 7 years, her
husband died. Imagine being a widow in your 20’s in
an age where the man was primarily the bread winner.
Some struck with such tragedy would have been mad at
God for taking her husband. Others might have lost
sight of life due to grief and self pity.
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But Anna's situation cast her into an extraordinary dependence upon
God to help her. Oh how God must have helped her for look at the
response of her life! Night and day she was found loving and seeking
God at the Temple, even putting aside her lunch to worship Him. And
as people shuffled into the Temple to worship, there was Anna
greeting them at the door, full of joy and speaking of the God who
saves both in this life and eternally.
One of my favorite pictures reminds me of Anna too. It is of Green
Bay Packer fans sitting at a home football game covered in snow. No
circumstance of life could dim their smiles and dedication to the
Packers. This is the kind of dedication I want to have towards God!
It is the kind of dedication Anna had even in her tough
circumstances. She found love and joy in Jesus, and her testimony
preached not just to people back then but even to us today.
Go
Anna and go God! Put on your Helmet of salvation and wave the banner
flag for Jesus! Be His biggest fan, meet people at the door of
Church, and encourage your fellow teammates!
Pastor Dan McQuality
Grace Lutheran Church, 201 S. College St., Lincoln,
IL
10:30am Sunday Worship; 9:00am Bible Study |
