Anna Speaks Piercing Words

~~~ 1 John 2:12-17 ~~~ Psalm 96 ~~~ Luke 2:36-40 ~~~

The presentation of the child Jesus in the temple
was much more than simply fulfilling a ritualistic law.
This presentation was a validation of who this child truly was...
it confirmed his heritage as the Messiah.

The one sent by God had indeed come to dwell among his people.
God in all of his divinity took on our humanness to the letter of the law.
It would have been very odd and unusual for Mary and Joseph
to have not taken their son, Jesus, to the temple.

The Gospel today gives us another bone chilling picture
of how significant this temple visit was for all of peoples.

There was a prophetess, Anna...

She was advanced in years, a widow...
She never left the temple...

She worshiped, fasted, and prayed.
Ultimately Anna, like Simeon, believed in the prophecies
they had heard their entire life.
I wonder if I would have had such a steadfast faith.

Would I have been honest enough with Mary to reveal to her
 the sadness slated to come her way?

Would I have been more concerned about ruining her joy
from consecrating her son to God?

In spite the destiny of Jesus he remained with his parents,
just as any normal ordinary child does.

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

This was the most private time in the life of Jesus.
We can only presume that his family life was typical
for that time and place.

This was the time Mary got to know and love her son
more and more with each passing day.

He learned about life from Mary and Joseph,
but he also grew in the wisdom from his Father in heaven...
the one who sent him to be one of us.

Anna...
gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

She had one chance to speak about the child to his parents...
She had one chance to give thanks to God for this child.

Mary had years to give thanks to God for giving her this child, Jesus.

How she must have loved him each day.
How she must have pondered in her heart
the things she was told that day in the temple about her son.

Do not love the world or the things of the world. 

Loving the things of the world will, in the end,
 only bring frustration and disappointment.

Follow the lead of Mary.
She loved in the midst of sorrow...
She loved when crushing news about her son was delivered to her..
She loved when most mothers would have become
 too frantic and disturbed to remain in joy.

We are blessed to have holy scriptures to confirm
Jesus as our Savior and Messiah.
We join Anna in giving thanks.
We join Mary in loving her son, Jesus.
~~~Peace & Joy~~~