Luke 2:36-38
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Recall Mary and Joseph’s encounter with Simeon in Jerusalem in Luke 2: 25-35, and then read today’s passage, Luke 2:36-38.
Luke has thus far introduced us to several Israelites who remained full of faith despite being born toward the end of a 400-year period of God’ silence. Today we meet Anna who has spent almost her entire adult life in shadows of society without wavering in her devotion to God.
As a widow, Anna would have been fairly invisible to those around her, but perhaps it was her station in life that highlighted her desperate need for God. God was more than part of her life - God was her life.
Stop to consider the place Jesus holds in your life. Would you say that he is part of your life, or do you recognize that he is life? Share your thoughts about this with Jesus openly and honestly asking for anything you desire in this regard.
Read Luke 2:36-38 again.
Anna’s heart was in tune with the God whom she worshipped day and night, and when she came upon Simeon prophesying over the infant Jesus, she knew instantly that God had favored her by allowing her to encounter the Savior. She naturally began to spread the Good News to everyone around her.
Stop to remember when you first encountered Jesus as Savior. Maybe there’s a moment in time when you realized that you were unable to handle life on your own, and you recognized your desperation for Jesus. Or maybe yours was a more gradual process and you don’t know exactly when you turned your life over to Jesus. Or perhaps you’re still on the journey. Take some time to talk with Jesus about this expressing any thoughts, questions, or feelings that you have about it.
Then get still and listen to Jesus.
What is Jesus saying to you today?
What will you do about it?
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