The Messiah Anna Longed For

Isaiah 9:2-4 The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
    and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.
 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
    you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor. (NIV)

Anna loved to tell others about God’s redemption. As a prophetess one who had nothing, culturally speaking, she knew her joy and purpose came from the redeeming power of God.

And when she saw the infant Messiah, her hope kindled for all the people she saw on a daily basis. They thought they were doing the right things by fulfilling the law or by serving in the temple or by honoring God with their words. But Anna knew many were walking in darkness. They had no clue what God really wanted from His followers.

It is no accident that the birth of Jesus in the gospel of John refers to the arrival of light. He is the great light in this passage of Isaiah. Jesus even calls himself the ‘light of the world’ later in his ministry.

And what does that light do? It shatters the burdensome yoke of sin and legalism. It destroys the rod of sin’s oppression and the weight of trying to make it to God on our efforts.

When those who want to follow God see how truly easy it is, see the truth in the light of Christ and the price paid, it is as if the sun has risen for the first time.

The answer to that redemption of the light? Unbridled joy!

Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV) “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”