There is little said about Anna the Prophetess in the Bible, but we can learn much from her. In the Book of Luke, Chapter 2, it tells that shortly after Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph presented their newborn son to the Lord in the temple at Jerusalem.
It was a Jewish custom to present newborns to the Lord at the temple, a joyful act that consecrated the child to God and was in keeping with decrees handed down by Moses.
Matthew 1:23 - “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Baby Jesus, "Emmanuel," was no ordinary baby ... “God with us.” Two prophets praised God in a grateful display of thanksgiving. One of the prophets was Anna, who came up to Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus and “gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38)
Anna the prophetess was wholly dedicated to the Lord. Her great faith was rewarded by a glimpse of the promised One, the Messiah of Jerusalem. Prophētis is from original Greek, meaning ‘prophetess’ or female prophet — a woman to whom future events or things hidden from others are at times revealed, by inspiration, dreams or visions.
Luke 2:36-37 – “And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 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.”Anna recognized Who Jesus was and how significant He would be. God rewarded her great faith and she proclaimed the child to all. We are to do the same.
This new year, resolve to proclaim the saving grace of Jesus to all who are looking for redemption!
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