Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation. Luke 2:29,30
Have you ever heard of the Nunc Dimittis, or have you ever heard it sung? The Nunc Dimittis is also referred to as the Song, or Canticle, of Simeon, and takes it name from the first two words of its Latin translation of ‘Now you dismiss’. The Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran religions, and other denominations as well, include this song as an important part of their liturgy. In addition, many composers, including Johan Sebastian Bach, have set the words of Simeon in Luke 2 to music. There is no question that the words uttered by Simeon as he encountered the baby Jesus in the temple are moving and impressive. And as we look at them, the words show us what a wonderful man Simeon was.
We read earlier that the Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. We are not told specifically that he was an old man, but the account in Luke 2 would indicate that he was. We are also not told when he had received the promise that he would see the Christ, although it would seem that he had received it many years earlier. What a wonderful way to spend his senior years! It would be somewhat similar to one of us receiving a promise that we would be still living at the time of the rapture. As he sees the holy Infant, Simeon realizes that everything he has lived for and hoped for and expected has come to fruition. Life can offer him nothing greater that the experience of taking that Baby in his arms and looking into the tiny face. Just seeing the Baby was enough. It reminds us how important it was that we had the experience by faith of beholding the Lamb of God. Just as Simeon was content to die after beholding the baby Jesus, so we should be ready and willing to die if necessary, now that we have seen God’s salvation.
Think of that very special moment for Simeon. For most of us, holding a tiny baby is a special treat, and Simeon would undoubtedly have experienced that delight. But his thrill went far deeper. When we see a newborn baby and hold him or her in our arms, we have no idea what the future holds for that infant. But Simeon knew that the One he was holding was the Son of God, the fulfilment of all of the promises of a Saviour. Many of the details of Jesus’ future would be unknown to him, but he was content to know that the Redeemer had arrived and God’s program was in place. We have the advantage of history and the New Testament Scriptures to fill in the details that Simeon lacked. But we can have the same appreciation as Simeon did. And it should thrill our souls today as it did that dear old man.
Rejoice and be glad; the Redeemer has come! Well might we sing those words today with joy and expectation. -Jim MacIntosh