Page 23 - August 2026 - Truth & Tidings

sword of Herod. Mary would witness the Anna seemed to have some similari-
heart-piercing rejection of her Son by the ties to Simeon. She was also advanced
nation. She would stand by the foot of His in years (84), was devoted to the Lord,
cross as the sword of Jehovah struck Him prophesied (she was a prophetess, and
while soldiers pierced His side. part of Simeon’s praise was prophecy),
The gospel we preach indeed has a and was filled with Messianic hope (cf.
“dark side.” It is not all sunshine and “waiting for the consolation of Israel” in
roses. We are lost, we are sinful, we are verse 25 and looking “for redemption” in
headed for eternal punishment because verse 38). Although Simeon frequented
of our sins. Christ was mocked, beaten the temple in Jerusalem, Anna never left it.
and crucified. He was forsaken by all, And on this day in particular, she was glad
even God, while He hung in darkness on she never did. Interestingly, her father’s
a tree. Yet it was on that tree that “he was name was Phanuel, a variant of Penuel,
wounded for our transgressions; he was meaning “face to face with God.” As she
bruised for our iniquities: the chastise- approached the Child, she was indeed face
ment of our peace was upon him; and with to face with God! She gave thanks to the
his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep Lord for sending the promised redemp- 8
have gone astray; we have turned every tion. Well into her ninth decade of life,
Anna had kept the faith, patiently waiting
one to his own way; and the LORD hath for the Messiah. At last, He was here!
laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa 53:5-
6). We have to keep it real when preaching Thus, Simeon and Anna’s joint witness
the gospel, for without emphasizing these to Jesus established a valid testimony ac-
dark realities, we could never experience cording to the Law (Deu 19:15). But we
the bright hope that there is in Christ Je- must not forget about the testimony of
sus. It is against the backdrop of the bad the shepherds just weeks earlier. There
news that the gospel shines as good news. was a triad of witnesses here. “They come
from the country and from the city; they
Surely Mary pondered in her heart represent both male and female; they pic-
what Simeon poured into her ears. While ture the common person of the field along
she did, another interesting figure ap- with the pious saints of great devotion.”
9
proached them. What encouragement this all brought to
Keeping the Faith the young couple from Nazareth. The
testimony of Simeon, Anna and the nearby
“And there was one Anna, a prophet- shepherds as they looked upon and held
ess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe their Son would serve to confirm and en-
of Asher: she was of a great age, and had courage the faith of Joseph and Mary. And
lived with an husband seven years from like them, any others who cradled Him in
her virginity; And she was a widow of their arms were beholding and holding
about fourscore and four years, which God’s salvation!
departed not from the temple, but served
God with fastings and prayers night and 8 Some take the 84 years as the time of her wid-
day. And she, coming in that instant, gave owhood (e.g. NIV, NET), thus making her over
thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake 100 years old.
Darrell L. Bock, Luke: Baker Exegetical Commen-
9
of him to all them that looked for redemp- tary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI:
tion in Jerusalem” (2:36-38). Baker Academic, 1996), 1:254
247
TruthandTidings.com I August 2026 247