Anna, the Prophetess

Anna means gracious or one who gives. Anna is one of the few named prophetesses in the Bible. She is also the only prophetess named in the New Testament. Though she is only mentioned in a few verses she is very important because she bears witness to our redeemer. She was at the temple when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at 40 days old and when Simeon blessed him. She believed that Jesus was the Messiah when others did not.

According to the gospel of Luke, Anna was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was a widow of about 84 years. She had only been married 7 years when her husband died. She never remarried but stayed in the temple serving God with fasting and praying day and night. She spoke about Jesus to anyone who was looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

From Anna, we can learn about loyalty and faithfulness. Not only was she faithful to her late husband “and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years” (Luke 2:37, NKJ) but faithful to God “who did not depart from the temple but served God with fasting and prayers night and day” (Luke 2:37, NKJ). Most women would have remarried but Anna chose to stay single and serve God. She knew God would provide for her. She lived in a time where she would have been dependent on the charity of others to survive or the church. She had no husband to provide for her and no children. She still held on to her faith in God. Being a widow after 7 years of marriage would make any woman sad, depressed, or bitter but not Anna. She turned her sadness into prayer and fasting for God and Jesus. She didn’t denounce God for losing her husband like some would. That is one strong woman that we should emulate.

Anna had the patience that our redeemer would come. She would fast and pray day and night. When Jesus came to the temple at 40 days old, Anna knew he was the one. She spoke to those who would listen. She knew something that the Jewish leaders or people did not know or believe. She was able to live long enough to see Jesus. Even though she was of great age her patience never wavered but stayed strong.

Anna enters the temple as Simeon is holding baby Jesus and he says a prophecy about Mary and Jesus. This is during the purification of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Simeon and Anna arrive separately but both are led there for a reason.

The gospel of Luke emphasized Anna as a prophetess even though she gave thanks “And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38, NKJ) and Simeon blesses and prophecies. They both were waiting for the coming of the Messiah.

Anna had a purpose in life after the death of her husband. Her great purpose was praying and waiting for our Messiah to arrive. She knew what she wanted to do. She thanked God and started talking about our redemption. She knew who was looking for redemption. She never gave up on seeing the redeemer. Most of us would have given up after praying for so many years of waiting.

In conclusion, Anna’s faith in God never wavered not when her husband died. She turned her grief into serving God. The Bible mentions that Anna never left the temple where she worshipped God by fasting and praying all day and night. Our faith should be the same. We need to tell the word of God to all who will listen and hear. When our life is full of pain, trials, and tribulations, we need to give it to God and know that he will take care of us just like he did with Anna.