And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus
Anna and Simeon
FLAMING HOPE WITH A FLICKERING CANDLE
BC 90
Asher, Galilee [1]
Who said God answers prayers?� There's millions upon millions of people praying to him all the time.� There's no way he could hear them all at once and keep them all sorted out.
Besides, we're not the only things God created.� You think the earth is some big deal?� Our planet is only one of many to belong to our sun-star.� And our sun-star is only one of millions in our galaxy.� And our galaxy is only one of millions of galaxies.
So who are we?� We are more puny than the smallest atom compared with the rest of the universe.� We are nothing.� Each of us just a spec.� A forgettable dot on the sea of the cosmos.� A whisper in the wind.
"Sir, you have a baby girl!" [2]
Some people are stubborn though.� They actually think God notices them.� Who do they think they are?
"We shall name her Anna.
She does not know it yet, but she will have a strange life ahead of her.� She will wait and hope, wait and lose hope, wait and hope.� Sometimes desperately.� Maybe God just doesn't care.� Does God really answer prayer like they say?� She will not find out until the very end - nearly a century from now.���
The cattle-herding life is hard.� Still it is a contented way of life.� But as little Anna grows, she becomes discontented.� It started when her father took her over to the Mediterranean coast for the first time. [3] There she saw all the excitement of big city life.
Oh, dear Anna, if you only knew what lies ahead of you in the big city where you will move some day.� Excitement?� Not the kind you have in mind.� Riots, spies, massacres in the Temple.� �� Perhaps you shouldn't go, sweet Anna.� Are you sure that's what you want?� Can you handle it, little girl with the curls and big dove eyes and quick smile with a tooth missing?�
Will you have the stubbornness that will be required of you, little Anna with the new pink shawl and necklace made out of rose buds?� The peace and freedom your family takes for granted will end in a few years.� Things will never be the same.��������
Can you keep the candle of your faith burning for so long?
74 BC
There's a wedding.� Yes, it's Anna.� She's grown up.� She's found the man of her dreams.� He wants to whisk her off to the big city.
Candles.� Flowers.� Wedding veils.
"Here comes the bride....� Here comes the groom...."� The music is solemnly resonate and exciting.
Vows.� Smiles.� Stolen kisses.�
Recessional.� Wedding feast.� Gifts.
"My little girl is grown up.� That just can't be."
"Oh, Father.� I'm not a little girl any longer.� I'm sixteen.� I'll be fine.� We'll be fine."
Thomas loads up the wagon with everything Anna's mother thinks she'll need to start house keeping.
"Send word to us when you get there.� And write real often.� Oh, Anna.� We'll miss you so.� Pray often."
"I'll miss you too, Mother and Father.� And I'll wear the mail courier out delivering letters to you."
Hope is aflame in Anna's heart.
Jerusalem, Judea
Off the happy couple goes.� Off to Jerusalem.� The hub of the nation's activity.� The spoke in the wheel of government and religion.�
Thomas lands a job with an exporter.� He even gets to travel sometimes.� He's becoming acquainted with a lot of important people.� He's going to be important himself some day.
Anna gets a job too.� She's a seamstress in the Temple.� Part-time work to keep all the priests' official garments mended.� There's a large staff.� Everyone loves each other so much.� It's great to be part of the center of holy activity.�
Thomas and Anna are so happy.� Everything is absolutely perfect.� The flame in their hearts is like a torch.
BC 67
"My dear strong parents...."
Something is wrong.� Anna's tears fall like a torrent onto the miniature scroll.
"....Thomas was in a terrible accident.� How can I say it?� Thomas was killed." [4]
Poor Anna.� Poor, poor Anna.
"He's gone!� He's never coming back!� Thomas is gone!� What am I going to do?� I loved him more than life itself.� I can't live without him."
She knows the funeral will be over long before her parents even get the letter. �She also knows that they will worry over her facing all this alone.
"Thomas's sister lives here," she continues.� "And I have a good friend who works at the Temple with me.� They've both said they will stay with me.� My dear parents,� I can hardly stand it!"
Friends come and go as young Anna, only 23 years old, tries to absorb her grief.�
Sometimes she looks at the things Thomas bought for her during his travels and washes them with her tears.� Sometimes she re-reads the little tablets of clay where he scratched notes for her to find while he was gone - tablets that she is now so grateful she did not throw away.� Sometimes she paces.� Or sits and dreams of happier days.� Or just cries ever so silently.
"Now that the funeral is over, we've got to decide what to do with your house."� Anna's parents have arrived.
"Father, I know what you're thinking.� But I can't leave here.� Thomas is here.� Everywhere.� I need that.� And my work.� I need to keep my job.� I don't need any more changes right now."
"But, Anna...."
Please, Father.� Please be patient with me.� This is what I need to do.� Gradually I'll heal.� Somehow."
"Yes, it takes time to heal.� But are you sure you can do it away from your family?"
"This is the family of God.� I'll be fine."
Did God forsake Anna?� She does not understand what is going on, but she believes it will all work together like a marvelous mosaic. [5]
�The flame in Anna's heart is still strong.� It will survive.
BC 53
Jerusalem, Judea
The trumpets blare from atop the watchtower.� The sound they had all dreaded.� "He's just outside our wall!� Defend your city!"
Anna knows who, just as everyone else does, and her mind gropes and fights, not wanting to admit the inevitable.� Commander Pompeii and his trained army has arrived. [6]�
It is the sabbath day in the Temple.� Undaunted, despite the threat, the priests continue to offer their sacrifices.
"Look out!"�
With a bang that invades Anna's ears and devastates her soul, mortar from the great stones of the eternal Temple break loose and fly across the courtyard.� It has begun.
Again the colliding and banging and crashing of war machines and their targets.� Again.� Again.� And again.� The forces of war running wild perpetually.
Anna rushes out of her work room and into the courtyard of the Temple.� Worshippers run in every direction.� Most out the front gate and away from the danger. [7]
Now fragments off the great stone wall.� Flying everywhere.� Now chunks.� Larger and larger.
What to do?� Where should she run?� Where can she hide?� How will she escape?
"Don't stop!� Don't stop!"
The priests do not run.� As though nothing were happening.� Their sacrifices continue as though nothing were happening.� [8]
�Anna remembers that she has a friend who lives near the Temple.� Can she make it that far before the soldiers get into the city?�
Out the gate.� Running.� Running.� Bumping into other people running.� All, like Anna, running for their lives.
From inside her friend's house they can hear the noise.� The great noise of the indestructible Temple.� The insufferable noise of what cannot be.�
Then silence.� The rest of the day.� The rest of the night.� It is morning.� Still the silence.� Is it over?� Really over?� Anna looks out in the street.� Soldiers.� But they are leaving people alone.� A few brave ones making their way as quickly as possible, heads covered to protect their identity.
"They need me.� I must return to the Temple."
"No, Anna!� It's too dangerous."
"There will be wounded.� They need me."
Stubborn Anna puts on a veil that covers her face and joins the others in the narrow streets.� Staying close to shadows and scurrying like insects, afraid of being discovered.�
She stops in front of the grand entrance to the Temple grounds.� What will she find?� Soldiers there too.� But only as guards.� She sees another woman and hurries over to her.
"What's going on inside?" she inquires.
"Horrible!" the woman chokes out.� "They're dead!� All dead!"
Realizing the woman has already been inside the grounds and been able to come back out safely, Anna decides to try.� Slowly she walks closer to the entrance.� She hesitates and looks at the Roman soldiers.� They are not stopping her.� Or anyone else.�
Then, even more slowly, she creeps in.� She stops and gasps.� It is not as horrible as she has envisioned, for it is worse.� Laying out across the women's courtyard, waiting to be identified, are the priests.� Blood saturates their clothing.� Their throats have all been cut.� [9]�
Anna walks among them looking, although she does not want to.� Looking into the faces of the forever gone.� Her tears graciously fall to obscure the faces of those she has known so long, now distorted with death.
Oh, God, if you are so good, how could you allow this to happen?� Satan is laughing.� He's convinced everyone he's a figment.� That is good.
Anna stays at the Temple all day.� Continually she searches through the bodies, trying to find someone who might have survived the slaughter.� Sometimes she does. [10]�
And, as relatives come in, Anna goes over to them, comforting them and walking them as they search for what remains of their husbands, their fathers, their sons, their brothers.
But eventually Anna must go home.� She must face her own reality.�
Alone, she walks among the rubble and foreign soldiers.� Alone with Thomas in her heart giving her courage.� Alone with God in her soul, giving her hope.
Her home has burned.� All her mementoes of Thomas.� All his clothing she had saved.� All that used to be Thomas.� Gone.� Forever gone.
Stubborn Anna, 27 years old and more alone than ever, turns back.� She must return to the Temple.� There are apartments there.� Perhaps she can rent one.� After it is repaired.� After the wounded are cleared out.  [11]
Now, more than ever, she and the others pray.� "Please, God.� Send us your Deliverer, our Savior."�
God, is this what you have had in mind for your followers?� Are you sure?� Her hope continues as a flame.� But it is flickering.� It flickers a lot these days.
BC 48
Caesar and Antipater have allowed people to go back to some semblance of normalcy. [12]
Anna, now 42, has gotten to know the latest new high priest fairly well.� As well as seamstresses are allowed to get to know important people.
Up on the second floor, the High Council of Seventy - the Sanhedrin - meets in its chambers. [13]
"Gentlemen, it has come to our attention that young Herod, the new lieutenant governor of Galilee up north, has defied us." [14]
Holy shock.�
"No one is allowed to execute anyone without both the agreement of the civil government and religious government."� [15]�
Righteous wrath.
"Young Herod has executed several gangs of robbers up in his province.� We have ordered him to appear before us in three weeks."
Governor Herod actually shows up for the hearing.� In his haughty way, he pretends he's sorry.� He's not.� They will hear from him later.� He keeps his promises. [16]
God, we're still looking for your Deliverer.� He's the one we really want to rule over us.� God, do you hear us?� God, are you there?  Anna, where's your candle?
BC 40
Anna is now 50 years old.� Caesar has died suddenly.� Procurator Antipater has died suspiciously.� His son, lieutenant procurator of Jerusalem and Perea, has committed suicide. [17]
�Chaos.� Political chaos.
The high priest is taken out of power.� He was a political appointee, as usual.� It's no longer valid.� The former high priest and king selected by the people is brought back to power. [18]
All of Palestine is elated.� Praise God!�
Anna is delighted.� She had liked this man.� Everyone did.� He made a better leader of religion and state.� Now things will really go back to normal.����
Except this time Rome strips the priest-king of his crown.� All he has left is his priestly turban.� ���������
In her daily prayers Anna thanks and praises God.� Everyone does.� Her candle burns brighter.� The flame of hope is stronger now.� Surely God has everything worked out now.
It lasts only three years.�
Anna, prays.� "Oh, God.� Where is your Deliverer?"� So does a man she will meet soon.� His name is Simeon.
BC 37
No!� It can't be!� Not again!�
Once more the battering rams.� Once more the shaking and rocking of the walls of the eternal city.� And of the holy Temple.� And of hope.
It's Herod.� He's been made King of all Palestine by Caesar.� Jerusalem has blocked the highways and barred all its gates.� Herod is a half breed.� Half Jew and half Arab.� He cannot be allowed to be their king.� Their high priest is supposed to be their king.� This cannot be. [19]
Having no where else to go, Anna stays on at the Temple compound.� People run in off the street seeking shelter in the holy place.� She stands by the front and directs people where to go for the greatest safety.�
Once the traffic from outside reduces to a trickle, Anna joins the crowds huddled together in hope of living through what most do not.
Outside the walls they hear shouting of Roman soldiers, the defiance of outnumbered Jewish zealots.� And the screams.
Clanging of steel against steel.� Crashing of rock against rock.� And the silent, ravaging fires.�
"I've been through this before, you know.� I was only 27 at the time.� I lived through it.� God will help us." [20]
Then the front gates to the Temple complex begins to shudder and thunder.� A stampede.� Soldiers breaking through.
"Quickly!� Back here!" a priest shouts.�
And the others in the crowd follow him into the courtyard designated only for the men and priests.� Escape the foreign soldiers.� Escape the defiance and death.� Just like before.�
Finally, but gradually, the chaos of death moves away.� And it too dies. �
Hours later, though perhaps it was only minutes, someone gains the courage to walk out to where the fighting had occurred.
Again the disbelief.� Again the butchery.� This time she doesn't throw up.�
The wounded.� The dying.� The dead.� The Temple on fire.
Not again.� Not here.� Not in the Temple.
"Come on, men!� Let's get this fire out!" [21]
�Simeon grabs a tapestry and begins beating the flames with it.� Others follow his example.
"Move that furniture out of the way!� It's just fueling the flame!"
"Wait a minute!� Is that someone trapped under there?"
After this, Simeon spends more time at the Temple.� Doing what he can to repair it. [22] Through the months that follow, Anna and the other women prepare mralss for the men, and make sure drinks are nearby.
Anna decides Simeon reminds her of her little brother.� They talk sometimes.� Mostly about the Deliverer.� Have they all misunderstood God?� Is God what and who they had thought all these years?� Anna needs fuel for her flickering candle of hope.
BC 36
"Where are they?" demands the centurion.
"Sir, you need to keep your voice down," Anna boldly admonishes.� "This is a house of worship."
He draws his sword and holds it out.� "The Sanhedrin.� Where's their assembly room?"
She doesn't know what to do.� She does nothing.� ��
The general marches to the other end of the magnificent courtyard and off to the side where the offices and apartments are.� One by one his men break down the doors down the long corridor.� Now up the stairs and to those rooms.� They know eventually they will find who they are looking for.
Suddenly the doors to the council chambers are flung open.� Swords flash.� Without warning.� Blood spills.� Without mercy.� In only minutes the mission is completed.� The entire Council of Seventy is wiped out.� The soldiers retreat in triumph.� King Herod has been avenged.� These are the men who condemned him for killing the robber gangs up north.� When will people learn?
The soldiers march back out of the Temple.� Past the priests.� Past the worshippers.� Past Anna.� Their swords still drawn.� A trail of blood mocks the hallowed hall.
Priests run toward the council chambers.� Levites run there too.� Anna follows.� Rome has killed again.� But who?� In a few moments the word is passed along the crowd and finally to Anna.
God, surely it is not your will to kill religious leaders.� What's going on, God? ���
The slaughter once more.� The tears of Anna flow once more.� Once more the prayer.� "Oh God, send us your Deliverer, our Savior.� Please, God."
Anna's not as young as she used to be.� Neither is Simeon.�
BC 35
New men must be found to head the religion.� Nominations.� Hearings.� Confusion.�
Furthermore, over in the Palace, King Herod is deciding whom to appoint as the new high priest.� King Herod's new wife has a favor to ask.�
"Sweetheart, my little brother wants to be the high priest."
Herod doesn't even look up from the scroll he is reading.� "Nonsense.� He's only 17 years old."
"But darling, sweety.� He'd make a good one.� He looks older."
"Oh, well.� What difference does it make?� The high priest has to do what I tell him anyway."
"I just knew you'd agree.� It will make the people happy."
The news rushes around the Temple and finally reaches Anna.� She is startled.�
"A teenage high priest?� The Temple will be a laughing stock."
"Maybe not," someone replies thoughtfully.� "Remember, he's the grandson of our last priest-king. [23] He could be good for the country."
God, things are in a mess.� We're ready for your Deliverer.� Could you possibly send him now?� God?� God?
Aging Anna hopes so.� Simeon too.� Just keep your candle lit, Anna.
BC 34
King Herod always makes it a point to attend national feasts at the Temple.� This year will be quite interesting, with that kid acting as high priest.
"Wasn't it just wonderful, the service and all?"
"Oh yes.� And our new high priest was born for this job.� It's in his blood."
Herod doesn't like what he hears.� That young man has gotten just a little too popular.
There is a swimming accident.� There is a grand funeral in the Temple.� It had to be. [24]
�Anna cries.� Simeon cries.� The nation cries.
Someone gives King Herod an idea.� "Sir, there's a man who seems to be liked, but not too liked.� Respected, but not too respected.� Understands the letter of the law, but seems to prefer following what he calls the spirit of the law."
"Sounds good to me.� What is his name?"
"Jesus."
"Excellent.� We'll appoint this Jesus as the next high priest."� [25]
"Fine.� Prepare a public declaration."
"Oh God, this isn't the Jesus we had in mind.� Jesus means deliverer, but he's the wrong one.� God, send your Deliverer.� Or maybe it's all been a big misunderstanding.� God, do you really care?� Of course you do.� Show us.� Send your Deliverer."
This is both Anna's and Simeon's prayer.� Every day.� Without fail.� Sometimes they talk of it privately.� No one else seems to understand the way they do.
BC 27
It's been ten years since Anna and Simeon met.� [26]� It's barely dawn.� Someone is knocking on Anna's apartment door.
There is a gentleman here to see you.  His name is Simeon."
Anna hurries to the front of the Temple complex and sees him.�
"Anna, it's about to happen!" Simeon announces, not waiting for her to be quite close enough for a private conversation.�
They walk over to a corner of the porch for some privacy.�
"Soon, Anna!" Simeon continues.� "He's coming soon!"
"The Deliverer, Simeon?� How do you know?"
"God spoke to me last night!� The Deliverer is coming soon!"
"When?"
"I don't know for sure!� Some time in my lifetime!� God promised I would not die until I saw him with my own eyes!"� [27]
Anna believes Simeon.� "I hope in my lifetime too."� Anna is now 63.� "God does answer prayer, doesn't he, Simeon?"� It is not really a question.
Come, Deliverer.� Come and save us.� We're ready for you.� God, you do hear us, don't you?�
The flame of Anna's hope glows a little brighter.
BC 23
The life-time position of high priest is interrupted again.� Herod has his eyes on a beautiful young lady.� But she does not come from a family of consequence.� No one ever heard of her family - at least no one of any political importance.
Jesus is ousted as high priest.� He's done a pretty good job and kept out of trouble.� Anna likes him.� Simeon likes him.� Zacharias and the other priests have grown to admire him.�
Nevertheless Jesus is ousted.� He's in the way.� In the way of progress.� Of love.� Of King Herod.� Simon is made the new high priest in grand ceremony.� Now the king can marry Simon's daughter.
Who's Simon?� Saw him at worship feasts a few times.� Especially the important ones.� But he never participated in any religious activities that anyone remembers. [28]
�God.� It's been so long.� We believed in you.� Do you believe in us?� We need your Deliverer.� Please send him, God.� We really need him.
BC 22
Nazareth, Galilee
In the little town of Nazareth, Galilee, there is born a little baby girl.� Her name is Mary.� [29]
Anna has just retired.� She is allowed to continue living at the Temple.� She's been there nearly all her life.� It's all she knows any more.
"Will you pray for me, Anna?� My child is sick."
"Anna, remember me in prayer.� I need to find a job."
Anna prays for the Deliverer to come too.� She has waited this long.� What's another ten years or so?� Whatever it takes.� Anna is learning.� In her heart of hearts she knows God will answer her prayer.� She keeps the flame of hope lit.� It just never goes out.
BC 18
Jerusalem, Judea
Anna is now 72 years old.� Simeon's not much farther behind.� It's been nearly 20 years since King Herod did so much damage to the Temple.� It's since been repaired.� The roof put back on and the walls restored.� But it's not grand enough for Herod.
"I cannot tolerate having a temple in my city that is so puny.� It does not become my greatness," King Herod declares.� So the work is begun.� Bit by bit.
"Sorry, Anna.� But you'll have to take everything out of your apartment and move to the other side of the building until they tear down and rebuild this section.� You should be able to move back in about three months."
"Sorry, Anna.� But you'll have to vacate your benevolence room.� You will be in one of the store rooms until they can tear down and rebuild this section.� You should be able to move back in about ten weeks."
King Herod is paying for the whole thing.� This should make him very popular with the Jews.� It doesn't." [30]
Oh God, send us your Deliverer.� Herod has no right pretending he's so good when he's so bad.� They say it's darkest just before daylight.� Send us some daylight God.� Just so we can know you are out there.� Out there somewhere.
Simeon continues to talk with Anna sometimes.� About the coming Deliverer.� She must keep her flame alive.� It flickers sometimes.� Anna is growing old.
BC 7
"It's Zacharias!" Anna explains to Simeon.� "An angel has appeared to him!� Right here in the Temple.� He told him his wife would have a son by the end of the year, and the son would announce the coming of the Deliverer!� Do you think he really did see an angel?y" [31]
�Simeon believes all right.� It confirms what God told him several years ago.� Simeon's growing quite old.� It will have to be soon.� He is confident it will be soon.
"Yes, Anna.� I believe it."
Oh yes, God!� You haven't forgotten us!� You're still there!�
Come, Deliverer!� Come!� Anna, hang on to your candle!
AD 1
Anna looks at the small clay tablet delivered to her by one of the priest's children.� It contains only three words.� "Today's the day!"� It's Simeon.
"Today's what day?" the old lady asks.� Anna is now 84 years old.� [32]� She will go have breakfast and wait for Simeon.� He will be there soon.� In this she is confident.� They have been friends a long, long time.� And as she waits, she dares to hope.� Hope beyond seemingly all hope.� Could it be?� Could it, God?� Her hands quiver and she is unable to hold the spoon.
"He's on his way!� The Deliverer!"
She recognizes Simeon's voice and turns where she has been waiting for him out on Solomon's porch.
"It's now?" Anna asks, the flame of her hope about to leap out of her heart.� Anna has always believed.
A seemingly insignificant threesome is in Jerusalem.� They are headed for the Temple.� They must go through the purification ceremony.� Being a first-born, little Jesus must be presented to the Lord. [33]
Inside the Temple, Mary and Joseph stand in awe of its greatness.� They walk across the courtyard and toward the altar.� Though they try to be quiet, the click of their heels still echoes ever so slightly off the walls.� God is the only one who hears the clicking.� He's proud.�
Perhaps someone else hears it too.� He's sitting on a bench near the grand staircase leading to the court of the altar.� He watches as the young couple goes through their ceremonies.� They aren't particularly noticed by anyone else.� They're just an ordinary couple going through a routine ceremony.� Lots of parents and babies go through this every year.
The ceremonies over, Mary and Joseph turn to leave.� Mary's holding baby Jesus. [34]
Simeon stands up just as they turn.� He walks toward them.� He's insignificant too.�� �
"Please, may I hold him?� He's our Deliverer, our Savior.� He is, isn't he?"
Amazed that the old man understands this, Mary gently hands her precious baby over to the stranger.� He cradles Jesus.� He sings to the Deliverer.� Softly.� With a crackly voice.� The Deliverer wakens and blinks.
Then, as the reality sinks in, Simeon's aged heart bursts with excitement.� He sings louder and louder until he is bellowing with ecstacy.� Baby Jesus once more opens his eyes, wiggles playfully, and smiles.
But what about the others?� They'll want to know about it.� Don't keep it to yourself, Simeon.� He turns and faces the nearly empty Temple compound.� His eyes glisten and open wide as he makes the glad announcement.
"Everyone!" he shouts.� "He's here at last!� Our Deliverer!� Our Savior!� Here he is!� Praise God!� He's here!" [35]
�No one pays any attention to the senile old man.� No one except the old lady.�
It's Anna.� She's been praying in the back.� No duties are required of her any more.� So she prays for her people.� And the Deliverer.
Anna, though a little hard of hearing by now, looks up when she hears Simeon's voice and sees him up front with a young couple and a baby.�
This is it, Anna!� The moment you've been praying for all your life!� Yes, Anna!� God does answer prayer!� Do you want to see for yourself, Anna?� Go up there!� You can, you know!� Go up there and meet your savior!
The flame in her heart leaps nearly out of control.� She begins making her way toward them.� It's a long way.� She progresses as rapidly as she physically can.� Her feet scoot and shuffle but her heart races.
While they wait, Simeon turns to the young couple.� "Could I pray for you?"� Mary and Joseph smile in consent.
"At last, God, I can die in peace."� He fights to keep back his tears.� "You have kept your promise."� Tears of relief.� "I've seen with my own eyes your Deliverer whom you have sent to rescue all the nations of the world."� Tears of joy. [36]
�The prayer over, Simeon hands baby Jesus back to Mary.� By now Simeon knows Anna is coming.� They wait for Anna.� Just like Anna has waited for them.� Day after day.� Year after year.� Decade after decade.�
Slowly she makes her way toward them.� Your prayers, Anna!� God came through!� He didn't let you down after all!� God heard you all along.� How could you have ever questioned God?� She looks ahead of her.� Closer and closer she proceeds to her answer.
Mary is thinking.� Joseph is pondering.� Simeon puts his arms around them both and blesses them. [37]
"This baby will some day cause people to rise or to fall throughout our nation.� You will know it when people begin to take sides, deciding whether to join him."
He looks deeply into Mary's eyes.� His eyes shimmer with sympathetic tears.� Should he tell her?� He must.
"A sword will be thrust through your own soul.� But, as a result, the true thoughts and motives of those people will be revealed." [38]
Anna is now a short distance from them.� Simeon looks over at her and she smiles back at him knowingly.? [39]
He cannot wait for her.� He walks to where she is, takes her arm, and escorts her the rest of the way to her Savior.� "Yes Anna.� At last it is him," he whispers.� "Our Deliverer, our Savior.� Our prayers all these long years, Anna, have been answered.� He's here.� At last he's here...."
"We knew all along he'd come, didn't we, Simeon?" she responds.� The last few short steps are made in silence.� Mary and Joseph are smiling at Anna.�
Her aged eyes glisten.� The eyes so wide and bright those many, many years ago.� Not so wide and bright any more.� But still full of hope.� A hope that she now sees for herself.�
Anna stands there looking into the eyes of God.�
"I knew!"� Her voice is halting and little squeeky.� No matter.� It speaks what she must speak.� "I knew all along," she tells the couple.� Mary holds baby Jesus so Anna can see him better.� "I knew God answers prayer.� I just didn't know when.� But I knew," she says, stroking the flawless soft cheek of her savior.� She has actually touched him.� He has come into her world so she could.
Finally everyone leaves.� Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and Simeon.� All but Anna, of course.
Anna will continue to live at the Temple.� And die soon.
In the months that follow, she tells eveyone the story.� The priests, their assistants the Levites, the worshippers, anyone and everyone she can get to listen.
"The Deliverer has been born!" she tells them.� They acknowledge her condescendingly.�
Some are more polite.� "Where is he?"
"He was here not long ago.� I saw him with my own eyes.� We're going to be delivered from our enemies at last.� God has heard our prayers." [40]
�Some believe her, but don't get too excited.� Others don't believe her.� After all, he apparently wasn't born here in Jerusalem the holy.� There were no declarations, no ceremonies, no parades.� No.� Surely Anna is mistaken.� Surely God doesn't answer prayers.� At least, not that way.
����������������������������������������������������������� LIFE APPLICATION
1.�������� What elderly person in your life is rather quiet and never does anything important, but has remained faithful to a cause through popularity and non-popularity?� In what ways is Christianity not popular today?� What will it take for you to remain faithful to the cause of Christ?
2.�������� When things were at their worst in Anna's life, she did not desert God.� When, in the future, things may become unbearable for you, what will you do to keep hoping things will get better?
3.�������� Sometimes prayers are not answered in our lifetime.� What are some of your prayers that could be answered even after you die?
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