“And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’” (Luke 2:29-35)
At the end of our Divine Service, right after communion, we Lutherans chant the Nunc Dimittis, a Latin phrase which means “now you let us depart”. This canticle is based on the prayer of Simeon which we find in this reading from the Gospel of Luke. We pray this prayer in thanksgiving for what we have received: the body and blood of Jesus, the assurance of our salvation by faith in Him.
Simeon’s prayer is offered for a similar reason, for he has just seen and held the baby Jesus. The Holy Spirit revealed to him who this baby was. Simeon, filled with great joy and peace, proclaimed that this baby was the salvation of all nations, the Messiah who had been promised by God to the Hebrew people for centuries. This was not a chance meeting: it was a divine appointment. Shortly after the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph, both devout Jews, went over to Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice at the Temple according to the Law as specified in Leviticus 12. The Lord placed Simeon in that Temple on that day deliberately to fulfill the promise the Lord had made to him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. He was also chosen to reveal to Mary and Joseph the mission that Jesus was called to as well as the sorrow and pain this child would bring to them. He would reveal the hearts of all men, convict them of sin, and call them to repentance.
The Lord is still the light of the world in these days of darkness and evil. Even now He is calling all people to Himself, to repent and believe. But as Simeon prophesied He is opposed. His word is ignored and despised by many but His word is still truth which will bring light and peace to all who follow the Lord’s calling. Therefore we who have already been granted faith and eternal life are His servants. He is in us as a light that we must give to the world, to strangers, to those we fear and hate, to our enemies. He is the light of truth, the light of peace for the entire world. He alone can bring hope and healing in these chaotic days.