Redemption: A Spotlight on Anna
“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” - 1 Peter 1:18-19
In Luke 2, we read a brief passage about a woman from the tribe of Asher named Anna, who was a prophetess. The Bible tells us that she was old and “a widow of about eighty-four years,” but still, she did not depart from the temple (Luke 2:36-37). Despite the loss and pain in her life, the Scripture highlights her devotion to God, noting that she served the Lord with fasting and prayer every day (Luke 2:37). When she saw her Savior, the Bible tells us, she spoke of Him specifically to those who sought redemption in Jerusalem (2:38). Although only three verses in the Bible mention her, her story is a remarkable point of interest. God chose her to be among the first to see Jesus after He was born. What was this redemption that Anna was stirred to speak about?
The Greek word for redemption used in this passage speaks of liberation through a ransom or payment. It is the purchase back of what was lost to bring deliverance. The truth Anna understood about Jesus was that He was their redemption—the salvation for the people of Israel and, ultimately, the whole world. Those who sought redemption—whether from spiritual or physical conditions—looked for a Savior, the Messiah. And Anna pointed them to Jesus.
Hebrews 9:12 tells us that Jesus obtained eternal redemption for us with His own blood. Again, 1 Peter 1:18-19 tells us that Jesus has redeemed us with His blood. The Bible tells us about the benefits God graciously gives us through Jesus’ eternal redemption:
Through redemption, we have forgiveness of sins. (Ephesians 1:7: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”)
Through redemption, we are saved from the law’s curse. (Galatians 3:13: “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"))
Through redemption, we are rescued from darkness and brought into Jesus’ kingdom. (Colossians 1:13-14: “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”)
Through redemption, we are adopted as God’s sons and daughters. (Galatians 4:5: “To redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”)
Through redemption, we are set free from lawlessness and purified for good works (Titus 2:14: “Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”)
Redemption through Jesus’ blood makes us holy, justified, and free. It is truly something to be thankful for, just as Anna was. The world is seeking a Redeemer, and those who know the truth should point them to Jesus, who came to earth to die for the sins of all so that they could be set free from sin and receive His eternal life and the gift of redemption. Like Anna, let us cherish our personal encounter with Jesus and live, pointing others to His redemption!
© Annelisa Stephen 2024
