"GOD'S BIGGEST FAN"

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“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.

 

 

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

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