Anna

Anna serves as a cameo for Christ. Anna met Joseph and Mary outside the
temple in Jerusalem and she, “spoke about the child to all who were looking forward
to the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). The Holy Spirit within her recognized
the infant Jesus as the Messiah. Anna was special because the Holy Spirit did not
come upon many before the day of Pentecost. In this instance she was filled with the
Spirit. She was called a “prophetess” in Acts 2:36. This shows God’s grace, ability and
desire to speak through a humble widowed woman. In 1 Timothy 5:3-16, Paul laid out
the idea of supporting women who were a widow. A true widow in Paul’s eyes was a
woman who was alone with no support and persistent in trusting in God alone. Indeed,
Anna was truly an example of such love and faith in God. For in Luke 2:37, it says
that she was in the temple “night and day praying.” She certainly fit all the guidelines
of 1 Timothy 53-16, for she was “above reproach” (v.7). She was also the “wife of one
man” and she also had a” reputation for good works” (v.9). Therefore, we can see that
Anna was an old and wise woman who would have been a good example to follow. She
would also have been a widow that was worth taking care of in the eyes of Paul. There
are many elderly woman in “Christian circles” today that are giving there time to
prayer “night and day” as Anna was. There are many with a gift and calling of God on
their life like Anna had as well. They excel as an example not only in their spiritual
life, but also in their daily lifestyle as well. For they have not only served God, but
there family faithfully. Such women deserve our honor and listening ears…

ELIZABETH
Elizabeth is also an example of an older woman after the heart of God (like
Anna). She was in her older age and “without child” (Luke 1:7). Both Elizabeth and
her husband Zechariah were among the few who were “filled with the Holy Spirit”
before the Day of Pentecost (Luke 1:41,67). Unlike her husband, she does not respond
to the angel’s report of her miraculous birth with unbelief. She responded by listening
and then thanked God for “taking away her disgrace” (Luke 1:25).
Within Israeli society, it was considered a sort of “taboo” if a woman could not
have a child. The shame of not being able to “be fruitful and multiply” would have
haunted her within society. Though she spent her young years as a barren woman, she
continued in faith towards God. Her faith in God blessed her womb with John the
Baptist; a prophet who would “prepare the way” for the Messiah. When John was in
his mother’s womb he was “filled with the Spirit” (Luke 1:15)…
Elizabeth was a “compliment” to her husband Zechariah. She stood in faith
when he was in doubt. Her faith could have been an eye opener for him. In Luke1:6,
we see that both Zechariah and Elizabeth were, “righteous in God’s eyes, careful to
obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.” This shows us that, before
Jesus came to teach what a disciple was (Luke 14:26-33) they were both worthy in the
eyes of God to be considered a couple that followed God with their whole heart.
What a blessing Elizabeth would have been to young Mary. Not only was she
relative, but she was a great example of an older godly woman for Mary to learn from.
Together they would be prepared for God’s plan that was coming through each of their
wombs. Both of these women show still teach us that even today that God has a plan
for pregnancy. The knitting of creation in the womb is within His perfect plan and
done by His own hands as well. They also show us that having a child at any age is
possible with God. It is possible to have one barren and in old age (or in Mary’s case…
even as a virgin).