Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

      you now dismiss your servant in paece.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

      which you have prepared in the sight of all people.

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

      and for glory to your people Israel.

 

 

            How many times do you remember the “last song?”  It may be the closing hymn of the service that you hum or sing the rest of the day.  It may be the last song you hear on the radio or CD that you hear before going off for the day, the last tune you heard before getting out of the car.  It might be the music playing as the credits roll across the screen and you leave the theater (or TV set) following a movie.  That “Last Song” sticks with you quite a while, doesn’t it?

 

            Simeon’s song as he is given the opportunity to see and hold the Christ child, the promised savior, is the last song.  It is the last song of the Christmas canticles recorded in the first chapters of Luke.  It is the last song we have recorded in the New Testament until Jesus enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and then until the songs of alleluias and praise that we will all join in singing as recorded in The Revelation. 

 

            The Nunc Dimittis (meaning “now dismiss”) has been used in worship services since the early fourth century.  It has been primarily used as the closing song or prayer for evening services such as Vespers or Compline.  Hymn settings of these verses have been used for funeral services in the church throughout.  During Martin Luther’s time, Walter included a funeral setting in a 1524 publication of hymns.  This hymn is not commonly used for a communion service until 20^th century Lutheranism. 

 

            What does this hymn mean?  For a long time, Israel had been waiting to “see” God’s salvation as per his promises since man’s fall into sin in Eden.  Simeon, a man faithful to God’s word, had waited his entire life anxiously awaiting the fulfillment of these promises.  God had chosen Simeon, the same as he chose Zechariah and Elizabeth, he chose Mary, and he chose the Shepherds, to be part of the revelation of his plan of salvation.  All of these people, Simeon included, had done nothing of themselves that was unlike other faithful people looking to the promises.  But God chose them, as he chose Noah, Abraham, David, Elijah, Daniel, Jeremiah, and so many others to act as his servants in many and various ways.  He not only chose them for their sakes, but for the purpose of speaking to all of his people and giving witness to all people of all time his love, his faithfulness, and his joy in bringing salvation to people who would be his children.

 

            In today’s reading, we see Jesus as he came into the world to fulfill all the Law of Moses and fulfill promises made to the prophets.  He is circumcised o the eighth day as commanded to Abraham and all of his descendents.  On the 40^th day, he is brought to the temple for Mary’s purification and dedicating the first-born male to the Lord’s service.  As with his later baptism by John, Jesus perfectly fulfills all of God’s commands while here on earth.  That is something no one person can begin to do in any way, shape or form.  Jesus does this on our behalf so that his sufferings and death do complete paying for all of our inadequacies due to our sinful natures and sinful lives.

 

            When a war is over, a truce is signed.  All parties are to return to their homes in peace.  When there is a disagreement, both parties cannot be at peace with each other until a resolution is completed.  Simeon, led by the Holy Spirit, sees this perfect peace that God has promised in his Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Simeon knows and expresses for all mankind to know that God fulfilled his promise so that each one can now depart, go on in life on earth and most importantly life everlasting in God’s peace.  These words of Simeon are great comfort and strength to a person who is near death and to the loved ones who gather at the bedsides.  Simeon’s song is the Gospel fulfilled.  Simeon’s song is the peace the Angels proclaimed to the shepherds on the hillside.  Simeon’s song is the peace Jesus sends the seventy-two disciples out to proclaim to the towns and villages.  Simeon’s song is the peace the crowds proclaim when Jesus enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  Simeon’s song is the peace in Jesus’ greeting to the apostles following his resurrection.  Simeon’s song is the peace of all believers, knowing that God has bought you back from sin, death and the devil, and through faith has made you one with him again, and in that faith and in baptism you are clothed with Christ at judgment and welcomed into his arms in eternity.

 

            Simeon’s song recognizes the Lord in his temple.  In the beginning, creation was God’s temple as the Holy Spirit hovered over the face of the deep.  God made his presence known in a pillar of fire and cloud leading and protecting the Israelites in their exodus.  God made his presence in the Tabernacle and Solomon’s Temple known, filling both with a cloud at the dedications.  God’s glory left the Temple as Ezekiel observed.  After the exile, the rebuilt temple, and now Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem never held the glory given originally.  But, God promised “one of greater glory” to Haggai and Zechariah.  He predicted this day in Psalm 24 “…when the king of glory comes…” and through Malachi who wrote, “The Lord himself comes to his temple.”  Now, an infant of 40 days, Jesus, the one sent to save his people from their sins, is Immanuel, “God with us,” as he inhabits his temple on this day.

 

            Later Jesus expands the place of his temple as he sends his Holy Spirit to be in and with all believers, and as Paul rightfully explains that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.  Today, the temple is where God’s people are as again Immanuel means, “God with us.”  Jesus made that promise that he will be with us even until the end of the ages. 

 

            “Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.”  Today, you are dismissed, sent out, in peace.  You have received God’s promise of salvation in the words, “I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  You have received God’s promise of salvation in the waters of your baptism.  You have received God’s promise of salvation hearing his word and singing the hymns that repeat this great message.  You receive fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation in the very body and blood that bought salvation for you.  In that peace you are sent out into the world to live in that peace, rejoice in that peace, and to share that peace with others so they too will know salvation.

 

            “Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.”  When it is your last moment on this earth, you will rejoice in knowing that you are being dismissed from this earth into eternal joy and gladness with no fear of hell or its punishments, knowing that you have seen the salvation that is prepared in the sight of all people.  Jesus is the light to the Gentiles, to reveal to all people God’s love and saving grace in Jesus.  Jesus is the glory of Israel, the promise fulfilled to all of God’s people of all time. 

 

            God in this peace as you serve the Lord as he has served you.   Amen.