The Blessing and the Witness of Anna

Lk. 2

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

What insight God had given Simeon! After blessing Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, He told them of Jesus' future. And exactly what he said did come true! Many would rise and fall in Israel, the fall of those who were arrogant and Pharisaical, and the rise of those who would find salvation in Jesus. Simeon also said that Jesus was a sign that is opposed. Simeon was foretelling of the future opposition to Jesus, and there was much culminating in His crucifixion. 

Also the second part, and a sword will pierce through your own soul also. This was referring to the grief that Mary would witness at the crucifixion of her own son. But all of this was for a purpose. It would reveal human hearts. Jesus was the living word of God. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us...Hebrews 4:12 says, For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  This is exactly what Jesus did. He knew the thoughts and intents of every heart and was able to respond accordingly revealing underlying motives. 

Anna, the prophetess, was in the temple continually worshiping God with fasting and praying night and day for year upon years. She was a humble servant of the Lord. Often the Lord reveals things to those who are humble, and He did this to Anna as well. At the very hour of Jesus' presentation, she gave thanks to God and began to speak of Jesus to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. The text does not say if she had actually seen Jesus, but she knew who He was. Many people waited for the redemption of Israel, but when it came, it was not how they had imagined it. So their hearts turned to bitter rejection. 

Father,

I think God that You have chosen me to be Your child, that You nourished the condition of my heart so that I could love and adore You and Jesus. What a great God You are!

In Jesus' name,

Amen