| The Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis) |
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We are in advent – calendar (waiting for Christ’s coming at Christmas) and cosmically (waiting for Christ’s coming in his glory)
Advent means “coming”Simeon: a role model for us
an example of us – the church – at our best
“Simeon was righteous and devout”
i.e. social and spiritual (remember what James said?) Righteous = just or fair (in our dealings with people)
Devout = sincere and spiritual (in our relationship with God.)
Simeon was . . . 1. waiting
(hoping, expecting God to do something good in the future)
2. and the Holy Spirit was upon him
(here and now, at this time and in this place).
We should be 1. waiting and 2. with the Holy Spirit upon us.
The Holy Spirit
God with us and within us Verse 26 & 27a
“It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.”
>The Holy Spirit does 2 things:
1. He reveals (speaks, shows, shares)
2. He moves (leads, sends, pushes or pulls)
Will We Fall And Rise With Christ?
-- Or Will We Speak Against Him?
This child [Jesus] is destined to . . .<1. cause the falling and rising of many in Israel
2. and to be a sign that will be spoken against
so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.
Two types of people:
1. those who fall down and then rise again (this is caused by Christ)
2. those who speak against Christ (this reveals what is on their hearts)
What might this mean . . . ?
(The word “rising” is the same word as “resurrection”). Simeon’s waning to Mary tells us that the universal offer of salvation does not mean that it will be received by everyone indiscriminately and automatically. It is offered to all; but it has to be considered by each. It is a universal offer but it brings a personal challenge. There will be those who will speak against this sign of God’s love that has been offered to them, for it searches men’s hearts, and some will be scandalized by a salvation which can only be achieved way of the cross.
(M. Wilcock, “The Message of Luke” IVP 1979, 1997:48)
Our Relationship With God
We can surprise and amaze Him
Verse 33 “The child's father and mother marveled” at what Simeon said about the baby Jesus. Luke almost certainly means Mary and Joseph but look at what the text actually says: “The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.” Luke’s already told us who the child's father is: God (and we will be reminded again before long in verse 49). So when Luke, wittingly or unwittingly, says that “the child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him” we can read and understand that God himself (the child's father) was amazed and (pleasantly) surprised by Simeon's song.
God surprises us, amazes us, pleases us, makes us happy. But we can do that to him, too: we can surprise God, amaze him, please him, make him happy. We can fill him with joy and awe and wonder – usually that’s his job, that’s what he does for us. But Luke 2:33 shows it can be vice versa also.
So: this advent surprise and amaze God. |
Amen |
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Luke 2 : 25 - 35 |
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
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