Everyone loves a good song. Music seems to be quite memorable, often having to do with the beat, melody, or lyrics. Sometimes they are memorable because of the setting in which they are heard. Take for instance the song, “Bugler’s Dream.” The song has no lyrics but everyone knows it when they hear it. For those who don’t know what song I’m talking about, think the Olympics. Other songs, like “The Star Spangled Banner” elicit a great sense of pride. As we focus on the words from Luke’s Gospel, there is a song worth remembering that didn’t even start as a song.
When Jesus was 40 days old, the Holy Family made the short trip to Jerusalem for the purification of Mary and for the presentation of the Child in the temple. The law of purification of mother found in Leviticus 12 tells what was necessary. A poor person was required to bring two doves or young pigeons as her sacrificial offering. The law also required that a firstborn male was to be consecrated to the Lord. If the child was not given into the service of the Lord, the parents needed to redeem him by a payment of five shekels. Mary and Joseph did not make this payment since Jesus was consecrated to the Lord in the fullest possible way. On the 40th day of His life, Jesus is presented to the Lord for service to God.
How ironic this scene was. The Child Jesus is brought into the temple when He Himself is the very Temple of God. St. John writes, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” When John says that the Word “dwelt” among us, it literally means that Jesus set up His tabernacle or tent among us. This is a close tie-in to the temple. The people went to the temple because that is where the glory of God dwelled. Here is Jesus, who IS God in the flesh!
As the Holy Family enters the temple, they encounter an old man named Simeon. Not much is known about Simeon. Traditionally, he’s pictured as a wizened, elderly man who has led a good life of many years; but we don’t know. Is he married? Widowed? Healthy? Ailing? Does he have kids? Grandkids? Has he led a good life? Bad? We don’t know; the Bible doesn’t tell us. All that we know is his name is Simeon. The Bible also says that Simeon “was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” That’s why he’s at the temple — he’s going to see the Messiah.
Suddenly, He appears. The long-awaited Messiah is there; not just a human being, but the Lord has suddenly come to His temple. The Son of God has become flesh to be the Savior of the world, and He is making His first incarnate visit to His Father’s house. The prophecy is fulfilled! The Messiah is on the temple grounds.
Simeon, within the story of Jesus, is parallel to Zechariah in the John story. Like Zechariah, he is aged, pious, and just and represents all that is best in Israel. Simeon has been waiting for the consolation of Israel. Like all the main characters of the infancy narratives, and like Zechariah in particular, Simeon has received a promise from the Lord. In this case it is that he will not die until he sees the Lord’s Messiah. It is no surprise therefore that, like Zechariah, he will sing a particularly lovely hymn.
This hymn which Simeon sings, the Nunc Dimittis, is a fitting hymn for Simeon. He has neared the end of his life, presumably a long life at that. He has seen the promised Messiah. Because of that, he is able to sing, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
Simeon has been waiting, waiting for death. The only way for this song to ring out is when the Law had been fulfilled. This song of Simeon rings through the ages, validating that now he is able to die because what had been promised had been fulfilled. Mary and Joseph act according to the Law by bringing Jesus to be presented for service to God in the temple. But the Law is also fulfilled because Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah comes to fulfill what is required on our part.
God is faithful, and the promises will be kept; that is why Simeon departs in peace. He doesn’t depart to peace; it is not that he faces a rosy, sublime sort of life because he has held the Savior. Whatever other trials lie ahead, he still faces death. He’s still in this sinful world. But he is at peace because God is faithful. He has sent the Savior. He has not forsaken Simeon, but has come to redeem him. Whatever Simeon faces, he is at peace with God. The Lord has kept His promises, and Simeon knows the end of the story. The end of the story is life everlasting, because the Son has come.
God gives you faith, faith by and in a blessed truth that you know. Today, you stand with Simeon because you behold your Savior. The Holy Spirit has revealed this to you — not through some mystical vision or writing in the sky, but by His holy, inspired Word. His Word announces to you that the Baby in Simeon’s arms grows up and bears your sins to the cross. That same body is pierced and that blood is shed before He is placed in the tomb. That same Savior, with the same body and blood, is risen again on the third day. And before Jesus ascends into heaven, He speaks to His disciples of teaching and baptizing. He speaks of Word and Sacrament, and promises, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Great joy came to Simeon because he saw for himself the promised Savior. He took the newborn Babe in his arms and spoke the words which we know as the Nunc Dimittis, translated as “Now I can die in peace.” For Simeon, his life could now come to an end because he held God in the flesh. The reason why Simeon may depart in peace is that he has witnessed the Lord’s “salvation.” Simeon is holding “salvation” in his arms, salvation that was intended for him and salvation that is intended for you and for me.
The song that Simeon sings is the song of every Christian, past, present, and future. It is the song that begs to be sung by all of Christendom. Jesus comes to be Savior to all of the nations. He comes to bring light and glory.
Today, you sing with Simeon because the Savior has come to you, too; and then you depart in peace. You depart in peace, though not necessarily to peace. You stand to face some ridicule along the way. If Simeon looks strange as he sings to the Baby, you’ll draw some strange looks for looking for Jesus in, with and under bread and wine, water and Word. Some will tell you that you’ve lost your religious sanity, if not your salvation. But you know better: Christ is here because He promises, and He always keeps His promises. You have His Word on it, so you depart in peace. In Jesus’ name, amen. Now the peace of God that passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through faith in Christ Jesus, amen.