Devotions
Rev Gav
Age
Luke 2:36-40
Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.
When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
Reflect
Widows get quite a few mentions in the Old Testament Hebrew scriptures. God knows that widows are often left out or forgotten by society and we discover that in God’s kingdom no-one is left out, for God’s heart is for the poor, broken, bereaved, and marginalised.
The whole story found in Luke’s gospel is inclusive, and towards the end of the second chapter, Jesus’ parents encountered Anna, an 84 year old widow. She was in the temple, day and night, fasting and praying, and this means she was waiting to see the liberation of Israel at the hands of the Messiah.
Now, I do not know about where you live, but in the culture where I am from, older people are pretty much marginalised. Younger people do not really want to hear what old people have got to say, and many old people live away from their families in retirement homes or sheltered accommodation, and yet, there is no room for exclusivity in Luke’s gospel. It is for everyone, and God affirms that everyone, no matter what gender or age, can fulfil a ministry and join in with God’s mission in the world. Everyone.
It is difficult for us to lose our preconceptions, however, as we grow in our faith, and as the Spirit directs us, we begin to see the world as God sees it. We begin to see people through God’s eyes.
How, in our society, can we support and encourage those that are elderly? Can you think of an older person — someone who perhaps people do not listen to, or someone who is marginalised? Make a plan to speak with them or visit them soon, and do this with an expectation that God will speak through them.
Why do you think Luke included this story about Anna?
How, in our society, can we support and encourage those that are elderly?
Pray
Holy God
Help me see people as you see them,
and to not judge people based on age.
Open my heart that it might be inclusive,
welcoming, listening and embracing to all.
This day and for ever.
and then