“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” (Luke 2:38 ESV).
In the gospel of Luke, an 84 year old widow named Anna came up to the Temple at the same time that Mary and Joseph came to present the infant Jesus to the Lord. She arrived just as a man named Simeon was moved by the Spirit to take Jesus up in his arms and prophecy over him. Both she and Simeon were described as those who were “waiting” on God’s redemption. Simeon’s words were recorded by Luke in some detail, but Anna’s words were simply summarized saying that she gave thanks and spoke of Jesus to all were “waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Anna’s waiting was finally rewarded. For the Lord answered her longing for redemption by letting her see her Redeemer. She may have seemed an unimportant widow to the priests and leaders who saw her every day at the Temple. But the Spirit revealed the Savior to her and made sure that Luke was inspired to include her name in his gospel.
Now we are those who wait on our redemption. For the Lord has come and is coming again.
PRAYER: Dear Father, it amazes us that You care for those that others overlook. You care for the widow and for the orphan. You care for the least of these. And You reveal Yourself to those who wait for Your redemption. Thank You for revealing Jesus to us. In His name we pray. Amen.