Boldness of a Little Old Lady

"And coming up at that very hour she (Anna) began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him (Jesus) to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38).

Anna was a familiar face in the Jerusalem Temple. She had been going there every day for decades. the priests and the Levites knew her. No doubt, even those who lived in the country and only came into the Temple for the festivals had talked with her and heard her story.

When she sees the Messiah, the baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph, she has a new story to tell.

"She began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him."

Can't you just see this sweet little old lady beam as she realizes that God is fulfilling His promises?

Then she turns to those around her. Those people who had seen her all their lives saw something different in her that day.

"Here He is! It's the Messiah! The one prophesied about in Isaiah! He has come to deliver us!"

Am I that excited to talk about the Messiah?

Do I boldly speak out, giving thanks to God outside of my family and church?

Lord, give me the excitement of this little old lady.

Boldly Preaching

I've never been beaten for telling people the gospel. I've never lived under a real threat of life or freedom for the sake of the cross. That may happen some day, but it hasn't happened yet.

But I wonder if I would be as bold as the disciples in Acts 5.

they were imprisoned and freed in the night by an angel. Then they were arrested again the next day, because they were out in public preaching. In front of the council they gave a presentation of the gospel, accusing the council of killing Jesus.

They were beaten and released.

Did they go into hiding? Did they develop a new strategy? An underground church?

No, they rejoiced that they suffered for the cause of Christ.

"And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus" (v 42).

When I'm barely bold enough to proclaim that message in the land of the free, how would I react under persecution?

God, grant me boldness today!

Foolishness is foolish

"Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in Him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue" (John 12:42).

How could they be so foolish?

How could I be so foolish?

God gives me opportunities to witness, sometimes just dropping them in my lap. Yet, I choose to keep my mouth closed. I don't want people to think I'm some Jesus freak. I don't want to ruin a friendship. There will be other times. Just not now.

God gives me opportunities to talk with other believers about what He has been teaching me. What should be more natural conversation on Sundays in the foyer at church? But I think that they don't really care. Or that I'll sound hyper-spiritual. Or that I'd rather just listen to them talk about their week on the farm.

God gives me opportunities to do what is right. A good deed. Flee temptation. Help someone. But I choose to keep on going. Someone else will take care of it. No one will know if I give in this one time...again.

How about a paraphrase of John 12:42: "Nevertheless, I say that I believe in Him, but for fear of what others might think of me, I don't say anything to anyone. I don't want them to cut me out of their circles."

Look at the next verse:

"...for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God" (v 43).

Let's see, I'm trading the praise of God for friendships that will only last a few years.  I'm trading the blessings of God for an evening of meaningless conversations around the table. I'm trading a few minutes of pleasantries for the opportunity to lead someone to Christ, to disciple them and to see them change and grow.

How could I be so foolish?