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Luke 2:22-40—And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” ²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ 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. ²⁷ And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, ²⁸ he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

²⁹ “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,

according to your word;

³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation

³¹          that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and for glory to your people Israel.”

³³ And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴ 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 ³⁵ (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

³⁶ And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, ³⁷ and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸ And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

³⁹ And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

What have you been doing the last 40 days? Today is the 40^th day after Christmas, so we celebrate the purification of Mary and Jesus. And we celebrate it by hearing the Song of Simeon, the Nunc Dimittis.

Simeon knew he was going to die. He knew that because of his sin, he was subject to a life of slavery to death (Heb. 2:14-15). However, God revealed to Him that he would not die until his eyes saw the Messiah. So, when 40-day-old infant Jesus came with Joseph and Mary to the Temple, Simeon rejoiced. Simeon saw the baby Jesus, and knew this was the Lord’s Christ.

Maybe, if God told us that we would not die until we saw something, we would pretend like we didn’t see it even though it was right before us. Maybe we would fight against seeing God’s promise because we would not want to taste the sting of death. But instead of fighting against death, Simeon embraced the Child and welcomed his death.

Simeon took the infant Jesus in his arms and held Him knowing that now he could die in peace. Simeon says, “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 goes on to speak of Jesus as a “sign that is opposed.” Luke has already spoken of Jesus as a sign. The shepherds are told, “This shall be a sign for you – you will find a baby” (Lk. 2:12). Forty days later, the same infant Child of Mary and Joseph, was a sign of Simeon’s death. Yet, Simeon does not see his death as something to avoid. Instead, he sees it as God allowing him to be “set free” in peace.

The church has incorporated Simeon’s song into the evening service called ‘Compline’; in that service, Simeon’s song is the final prayer before going to sleep. That is a beautiful picture isn’t it? God gives his beloved sleep (Ps. 127:2). Recognizing that God has led you through your day and brought you to your place of rest is fitting.

Another place where the church has incorporated Simeon’s song is in response to receiving Holy Communion. After receiving the true body and blood of Christ it is right and good to join your heart with Simeon’s words. As Simeon received the infant Jesus in his arms, you too have received the fulfillment of God’s promise on your lips and in your mouth.

Just like Simeon was told that he would see the Messiah who would save Israel, you too see the Savior. Jesus says that you receive Him as Savior in His Supper, “This is My body; this is My blood of the new covenant shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins.”

Simeon did not see an impressive Messiah, but only a 40-day-old Child. You do not see a grand spectacle either, rather bread and wine.

In that Baby, Simeon saw God’s salvation. In Communion, you too see God’s salvation which is prepared for all people. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He is the only Savior, and the Good News of Him is good tidings for all people. We, and all people of the world, need to be saved because we are helpless. We are in bondage to sin. We are dead in sin.

In the Lord’s Supper, Jesus the Savior comes to us. Communion is not some sort of spiritual energy drink that revs you up. The Lord’s Supper is not just a different way to end a worship service. Instead, the Lord’s Supper is sustenance for sinners in their walk through this dark and sinful world. Sinners need this Supper; sinners need this food. Every time you come for Communion, Jesus gives to you His body and His blood for the forgiveness of your sins.

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace.” We sinners need that peace. Left to ourselves, we will never have peace. But having been justified by faith, we have peace with God only through our Lord Jesus Christ (Ro. 5:1).

Because of the Lord’s Supper, you can join with Simeon and embrace, yes embrace, death. You can embrace death because you are joined with the One who conquered death. Where is death’s victory, where is death’s sting? It is gone because of the victory of Christ which He gives here to you.

Come, taste with your own mouth and see with your own eyes that the Lord is good (Ps. 34:8). Then depart in peace for your eyes have seen the salvation which the Lord has prepared before the face of all people. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever world without end. Amen.

May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus now and to all eternity. Amen.