The Christmas Commission

Introduction:

Anna the Prophetess has to be my favorite woman we learn about in the Bible. A woman who at a young age lost her husband, and spent the rest of her life as far as we know living in the temple and devoting her life to the Lord. We do not know much about Anna, as a matter of fact, only three verses are dedicated to Anna’s testimony in the Bible. In those two verses though, her testimony challenges not only widows, but everyone who reads about her life to evaluate their own faith and grow in it.

Anna, according to the Bible, was advanced in years. Now depending on the translation you use, two ideas as far as her age are presented. If you use the KJV or NKJV, it will suggest that Anna has been a widow for 84 years. If you use a more modern translation, with the exception of the CSB, Anna has been a widow, and in the story is now 84 years old. It is safe to say that Anna is at least 84 years old, but her “age” is not really the important part of Anna’s life. What we know about Anna is two very important details:

She is a widow: married for 7 years, lost her husband and since then has lived in the temple

She is a prophetess: don’t think Old Testament prophet where she would proclaim the future, remember God has not spoken a revelation through a prophet for 400 years, rather she has devoted herself to learning the OT and proclaiming it in the Temple.

This leads us to 3 points that we can learn from Anna’s testimony:

So if you will, stand with me as we read Luke 2:36-38.

Development:

Anna’s Devotion

Devotion to the Word (v.36a)

There is no greater satisfaction in the Christian life than devoting ourselves to the Word of God, and passing it along. The Word of God and its divine Author is the only constant that we have in this life, and it makes eternal vows, where marital vows by nature are limited to only a lifetime. This is the call for all Christians regardless of marital status. If you are single, cling to the Word of God. If you are married, cling to the Word of God. If you are a widow/widower cling to the Word of God. Even in the dark world where we live, the Word gives us direction, purpose, answers, and satisfaction in a way that nothing or no one else can. Read it as often and as much as you can. Study it until you know it forward and backwards. Meditate on it and memorize the words in it.

Ice Cream Tester Illustration

When you open the Word of God, don’t just aimlessly read it and rush through it. Savor it.. Focus on it. Have a method for when you read. Have a place, a plan, and a pen. Pray that God would open your eyes and give you understanding. Commit to making it a priority in your life, and pray that God will give you a desire to be in His Word, and even if you don’t feel the desire, read it anyway. The one who devotes his/herself to the studying of God’s Word will grow in their desire for it.

Devotion to Prayer and Fasting (v.37)

The incredible thing about Anna that we need to gather from this is that Christiantiy is not a clock in/clock out, 9-5 job. Chistianity is our night and day. We get into the Word of God, through which he has graciously revealed himself. We get on our knees and we cry out to Him in prayer. We go on fasts, taking things we believe are necessities and replacing them with study and prayer, realizing that our food is to do the will of the one who sends us. This is not a part-time gig. This is a lifetime devoted to Him. Regardless of circumstance, in hunger, in thirst, in poverty, in wealth, in depression, in joy, in marriage, and even widowship, we look to God, who does not live in a temple made by human hands, but now dwells within us as Spirit, and we are comforted, counseled, and commissioned by Him.

Devotion to the Presence of the Lord (v.37a)

Do you long to be in the presence of the Lord? Do you make time out of your nights and days to do nothing more than call on the name of God, and ponder on his glory and grace. You see Anna made her dwelling place the dwelling place of God. In the New Covenant, we are the dwelling place of God. Do you make it a point to meditate on that idea? That God dwells within us. If you don’t, I challenge you to spend time during your day, to just sit and know that you are in the presence of the Lord. As a result of this, your joy will increase, and your faith will grow.

Anna’s Faith

Her Faith was in the Word

All Anna had was a collection of promises.

Her Faith was made sight (v.38a)

The custom to present the firstborn male (Luke 2:22-23).

Much like Anna, today, we must read with expectation. The expectation that one day, whether we are called up to heaven first, or Jesus Christ returns, we will see the Son of God. Not as a child, not as a King in all of His glory.

Anna’s Message (v.38b)

The Messiah is here!

Conclusion:

Have you devoted yourself to the Lord? Have you committed to knowing his Word and the other Spiritual disciplines? Is your Faith rooted in the return of the Messiah? Are you proclaiming the Message of the Gospel?