#DailyDevotion Lord Take Me Now. It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This
January 3rd
Read Luke 2:21–40
Luk 2:29-32 “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.”
Jesus’ parents being good Jews brought their child to the temple to offer the sacrifices according to the Law. There was a man there named Simeon whom the Holy Spirit had promised he would see the messiah before he died. Because of this many think that Simeon was old when he held the baby Jesus in his arms, but the text doesn’t say he was old. Anna on the other hand was old. But back to Simeon. He takes up the baby Jesus and begins to prophesy.
First thing he says is, “Lord I’m ready to die now, it doesn’t get any better than this.” That’s what depart in peace means. Simeon was ready to die because the Lord had fulfilled his promise to Simeon. His own eyes had seen the salvation of the Lord and was holding him in his hands.
Before the world the Lord was preparing this salvation (Jesus). Jesus wasn’t particularly hidden. Talked about in Bethlehem by the Shepherds. Later to be talked about in Jerusalem thanks to the magi. Later he would be proclaimed throughout Judea and Galilee. After his ascension announced from Jerusalem to Samaria to the ends of the world.
And so the child Jesus would become a light to the Gentiles. Jesus would reveal the true nature of God the Father to the people of the world living in darkness. By bringing the Father to the nations he brings glory to his people Israel through the Gentiles inclusion into Israel through faith in the son, Jesus.
Neat thing is you and I get to be Simeon every Sunday. After receiving Christ’s body and blood in the Sacrament we sing this song of Simeon. Why is that? Because like Simeon we have held the Savior in our hands in the bread and the cup. Like Simeon we rejoice that God has kept his promise made in the garden to the serpent, “He will crush your head.” Jesus in the Sacrament in the gives us his light as he strengthens, preserves and keeps us in the one true faith. Like Simeon, after the supper we are ready to die, to depart in peace.
Lord Jesus Christ, grant us such faith to see you in the Sacrament of the Altar and to believe the salvation you have procured for us. Amen.