Luke 2:36-38 :
There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day. Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
It is very interesting that Dr. Luke records two witnesses in the temple. As I mentioned when we went through John, the law required that two witnesses prove a matter and right here on this day in the temple, two prophets testified that Jesus was Israel’s redeemer. Dr. Luke, being educated, was probably very aware of this fact and was careful to write it down for us.
I like to consider Anna because she had been a widow for a very long time having only been with her husband for seven years before he died. It would have been easy for her to complain or fall into despair but God gave her strength and through faith in Him she completely dedicated herself to temple worship both “night and day.” This is a very real similarity to Christianity.
We have also died to our old way of life and our old way of life has died to us. We dedicate ourselves to God in worship both night and day and for ever because of God’s grace to us and to mankind for the new life He has given us.
It is very understandable that Anna was ready to become a powerful witness for Jesus when He came. She spent all day praying and paying close attention to the things of heaven and when heaven came she recognized Him and “spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.” I believe that when our focus is on heavenly things, our witness for Jesus becomes very strong. May God help us to be prepared to make Jesus known to those around us, too.