Luke 2:38
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
At the dedication when Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem, Anna came in at that instant while Simeon held the child and rejoiced that his eyes had seen God's salvation. She gave heartfelt thanks to the Lord for being allowed to see and behold Christ the Lord, recognizing the child as the promised Messiah and perceiving His divinity. Her testimony confirmed Simeon's testimony, and together they declared Jesus' divinity. She then spoke of Him to all in Jerusalem who were looking for redemption, joining gratitude to God with telling others about the promised Redeemer. Those awaiting redemption were pious, hungering souls who believed from the prophets that the appointed time had arrived and prayed day and night that they might see the Saviour before they died, and God revealed the child as Saviour to such humble servants because He could not make it known to the proud priests or manifest it through a corrupt priesthood.
Temple Presentation Setting
The moment belongs to the dedication when Mary and Joseph presented the swaddled infant Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem, Mary kneeling and holding the child with Joseph standing behind her at the temple entrance. Anna was present as an elderly woman leaning on a staff, standing by and watching while Simeon held the infant Jesus and rejoiced that his eyes had seen God's salvation, with Mary and Joseph also present.
Anna was a prophetess and, with Simeon, one of two true servants of God in the temple, both having grown old in God's service. God showed them that the child was the Saviour, things He could not make known to the proud and selfish priests, for He could not manifest His glory and power through a corrupt priesthood.
Anna's Grateful Testimony
Coming in at that very instant, Anna gave thanks to the Lord for Jesus, with heartfelt thanks that she had been allowed to see and behold Christ the Lord. She recognized the infant as the promised Messiah and Christ, perceiving His divinity. In this she confirmed Simeon's testimony about Christ, and her testimony together with his declared Jesus' divinity.
She spoke of Him to all in Jerusalem who were looking for redemption, so that gratitude to God was joined with telling others about the promised Redeemer. Her looking upon Jesus as a child was with grateful joy and bright hope, recalling what the shepherds of Bethlehem had said and the prophecy of Simeon. She knew that the prophecies about great light shining on those in darkness and in the shadow of death and about the child born and Son given with government upon His shoulder, called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, were spoken of Jesus.
Her speaking shows that God chooses humble people to be His witnesses, often passing by those whom the world calls great. Many are like the Jewish priests and rulers, who are eager to serve and honor themselves but think little about serving and honoring God, so He cannot choose them to tell of His love and mercy. As a prophetess speaking at the close of the Jewish dispensation, her testimony is an example of the spirit of prophecy reappearing to usher in and announce the Messiah.
Those Awaiting Redemption
Those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem were pious aged Jews, hungering and thirsting souls who had long waited for the redemption of Israel at the time of John's birth. They were looking, believing, and earnestly praying, waiting day and night for His coming with the prayer that they might see the Saviour before they died. They believed God would not leave His people in bondage and reproach to the heathen, because in time past He had raised them up a deliverer when in distress they called upon Him.
From the predictions of the prophets they thought God's appointed time for Messiah to come had arrived and trusted it was near at hand. They expected that through Messiah they would receive a clear revelation of the divine will. Their doctrines would be freed from traditions and needless ceremonies that had clouded faith and confused the people, and the cloud of ignorance and bigotry would be dispelled from minds at the set time to favor His people.
When the expected Teacher came, heaven was brought down to men. Those waiting ones who came to Jesus for instruction found the Lord gracious and full of wisdom, receiving precious lessons of divine knowledge from the great source of intelligence, feasting upon the bounteous grace of a merciful Saviour as a favored people living under the full splendor of His light, so His coming was cause for thanksgiving and a message of hope to them. Yet many comprehended it not and turned from the divine radiance with indifference or unbelief.