Thoughts for the Day

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 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Eight days after Jesus was born he would have been 'named' and then circumcised, indicating that he was Jewish and was a part of God's agreement (covenant) made with his ancestor Abraham and renewed again and again over the centuries. Forty days later Mary and Joseph take him to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer a thanksgiving sacrifice as prescribed by the Law of Moses. They also make a sacrifice on behalf of their firstborn male child. This refers back to the exodus when the people were freed from Egyptians and their firstborn sons were saved, but Egyptian son's died. A firstborn male child was set apart (as 'holy') for God, but was then symbolically bought back with the sacrifice.

At this point a new character appears in the shape of Simeon. We are told that the Holy Spirit rested on him and he had been told that he would not die before he saw the Messiah. Luke has emphasised the work of the Holy Spirit throughout the first two chapters of his Gospel - it was through the Holy Spirit that Mary and Elizabeth conceived, and that Zechariah prophesied. Now Simeon picks up the six week old baby and makes an amazing declaration that the baby will be the Messiah, the one who will save the whole world..

We know Simeon's words as 'The Nunc Dimittis' which is sung at Evensong and often read at the end of a funeral, starting with the words 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace'.

Lord God,
who gave Your servant Simeon
the knowledge
that the baby Jesus was the Messiah -
the One so long expected.
May we too have faith in Your plans
for our world,
and like Simeon study your scriptures
to grow closer to You.
Amen.