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.
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."
Anna’s immediate response upon recognizing Jesus is one of gratitude and evangelistic proclamation. “Gave thanks likewise” echoes the temple’s routine of praise and thanksgiving but elevates it with personal witness. Her act of speaking to “all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” shows that the revelation of Jesus triggers both worship and outreach. The context is a city filled with expectations about God’s deliverer; Anna joins the chorus by publicly testifying about the Messiah’s arrival. Her message is not merely private gratitude but a mission to spread hope to those awaiting redemption. This moment links personal devotion with communal proclamation, illustrating the dynamic of worship fueling mission. It also foregrounds Luke’s theme of recognition: those attentive to God’s Spirit perceive and herald the coming salvation, inviting others to partake in God’s redemptive work.
Theologically, Anna’s response demonstrates an appropriate eschatological faith: anticipation meets revelation in praise and proclamation. Her testimony confirms the public nature of Jesus’ mission and the responsibility of believers to share their encounters with God. It also reinforces the recurring Luke-Acts motif: the Spirit empowers believers to witness, and the community of faith amplifies that witness. Anna’s words function as a bridge—between waiting and fulfillment, between temple worship and outward mission, and between personal salvation and communal redemption.
Practically, imitate Anna’s model:
- Cultivate gratitude in response to recognizing God’s work in your life.
- Share your faith with others who are seeking meaning or redemption—offer a hopeful message grounded in Christ.
- Engage in your church or community in outreach that speaks to those longing for deliverance—testify how Jesus meets real needs today.
- Balance personal devotion with public witness; let your worship overflow into compassionate action and dialogue.
Cross-References: Luke 2:25-35; Acts 10:38-39; Luke 24:46-48; Isaiah 52:8; Romans 10:14-15