Luke 2:28-31




Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people.”
Simeon was an old man who had spent years waiting for this moment. When he saw the baby Jesus, he recognised that this was the one who had been the focus of his prayers for all that time. The Messiah had finally come. Simeon had clearly lived a good life; Luke described him as being “righteous and devout” which tells us that he had been committed to God and lived in the right way towards the people around him. Now, as his life ebbed away, he found fulfilment in holding Jesus in his arms and praising God.
Simeon’s prayer is known by its Latin name as the Nunc Dimittis. It is used by many churches as part of their evening worship and also at funeral services. This makes sense, because here was a man who had come to the end of his days at peace because of the Lord. In Jesus, he knew he was seeing the Saviour of the world, and that meant everything to him.
There is no greater blessing than to know the peace that Christ gives. That is true at any moment in life but, as we slip from this world, we must all desire to know the peace that was Simeon’s experience. I have just returned from the hospital bedside of someone who only has hours to live. She has lived a long and busy life and served the Lord faithfully. What a blessing it was to hold her hand and commit her into the hands of the Prince of Peace. I pray that you will also know his peace right now and throughout your life until that moment when the Lord takes you to be with him.






Question: In what ways do Simeon’s word encourage and challenge you?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of your peace in this moment and throughout my life. Amen

Released on 30 Dec 2022