In The Temple

OPENING PRAYER:

Mighty One, you are the God of this and every world, of this and every time. I glorify your name.

READ: Luke 2:36-40

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[a] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Footnotes

[a] Luke 2:37 Or then had been a widow for eighty-four years.

Luke 2:36-40

REFLECT:

How do you respond if someone tells you they don’t need to go to church to be a Christian?

Joan, well into her 90s, never missed church unless she absolutely had to. When she moved into a home care facility, that became her church in a very special way. She still kept up with the joys and sorrows of her church family through frequent visitors. But it was soon apparent how much she cared and prayed for other residents and staff. She was a signpost to salvation to everyone she met. Even at her funeral the witness continued.

Christians like Joan are gold! Anna is another lovely example of such a signpost. We learn enough about her to be able to see her as a real person with her own story. But we are then filled with awe because that becomes part of something so much bigger. People like Joan and Anna are vital to people’s lives in their own time and into the future, signposts to God. Like Simeon, Anna straight away recognizes Jesus and all he will come to mean (v 38). And she does not hesitate to share the good news. Mary, Joseph and Jesus can go home safe in the knowledge that they have been well blessed.

APPLY:

Think about the places you are most often: home, work, leisure – even shops. You are in the right place, at the right time, to be a signpost for God’s love.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, you are the Light of the World. You are my Savior and Lord, and I celebrate all you have done for me.

WORSHIP:

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