A Light to the Gentiles: The Song of Simeon as an Evening Prayer
A Light to the Gentiles: The Song of Simeon as an Evening Prayer.
“Simeon took the baby Jesus up in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel’… Then Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. Yes, a sword will pierce through your very own soul.’” (Luke 2:28-35).
Nunc Dimittis – Song of Simeon – YouTube
Simeon. Here’s what we know about this elderly saint who to this day is quoted every day in Christian churches around the world. Simeon, which means “He who hears,” lived in Jerusalem when Jesus was born. He was a fixture in the Temple, a righteous, God-fearing man, a devout believer who kept himself pure all through the years. He lived and walked in the Spirit of God, and seemed to be on speaking terms with the Almighty. Simeon lived in eager anticipation of the arrival of the Messiah. That was his hope of all hopes, because the Holy Spirit told him that he would see the Anointed One before he died. Simeon hoped for the “Consolation of Israel,” their final Redemption, the joy of their eternal deliverance in God. He prayed for this hope to be realized soon, that the future Messiah would be the Redeemer and Consoler of Israel. The Greek word for ‘Consolation’ comes from the word ‘paraklete’, which means to come alongside of another in order to encourage, advocate for, to comfort. So Simeon hoped for the arrival of the Messiah who would prove to be the Comforter, the Encourager, the Consoler of Israel who advocated for their salvation.
A Promise Kept. On this particular day highlighted by Luke, when Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus to the Temple to be dedicated according to Mosaic Law, the Spirit told Simeon to go the Temple pronto. As soon as Simeon saw the baby, he knew through the Spirit that this indeed was the Messiah he had been praying for. Simeon certainly knew the Scriptures intimately, and he was very familiar with the messianic passages in the prophecies of Isaiah. So Simeon freely quoted those inspired Isaiah passages as he cradled baby Jesus in his arms. Simeon spoke about who Jesus was and what He would become. And as he embraced the baby, Simeon praised God for the privilege of beholding the Messiah. He now can die in peace. His life is now complete. Simeon uttered his famous Song of Simeon, which packed a lot of Scripture into his short word of prophecy over Jesus. Simeon underlined the fact that the Messiah would bring salvation to all people, including Gentiles, and not merely to the people of Israel. He said that the Messiah would be a light that would reveal the Lord to all the nations, and that He would be the glory of His people Israel.
A Blessing and a Prophecy. But Simeon didn’t stop there. He blessed the parents of Jesus, suggesting that Simeon raised his arms over them and spoke the priestly blessing over them: “May the Lord bless you and keep you; may He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may He turn His face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:22-25). Simeon continued to prophecy at the scene in the Temple, this time to mother Mary. He said that there would be a paradox in Jesus. Some would reject Him and fall, and others would accept Him and rise. There would be very little neutral ground when it comes to belief in Jesus. Simeon went on to say that Jesus will be a sign from God that will be opposed by many, and His presence will cause the secret thoughts of many to be laid bare before God.
The Suffering of the Mother. Finally, Simeon uttered an ominous word over Mary that probably caused him great anguish. He said that a sword would pierce her very soul. The Greek word for sword here is an unusual one. It means a large broadsword. The wounds to Mary will go very deep and wide, and will be excruciating. There is no doubt that Mary experienced that word of prophecy during the horrific Passion of her Son. She witnessed the hostile persecution, the torturous death of her beloved Jesus. That pain was certainly indescribable. Mary’s heart suffered with the cut of the broadsword.
Stunned. Joseph and Mary were practically speechless at hearing the words of Simeon. His prophecy over Jesus confirmed everything that the Lord had told them… from the angel Gabriel, to the singing throngs of angels in the sky over the stable, to the visiting Magi, to Mary’s cousin Elizabeth, to Mary’s own intimate experience at Jesus’ conception. So Joseph and Mary took it all in and marveled.
VOCES8: Nunc Dimittis – Arvo Pärt
An Evening Prayer for Us:
“Lord, you now have set your servant free, to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see.
A light of revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:28-32).
Nunc Dimittis. This Latin phrase which means “Now you Dismiss” from the ‘Song of Simeon’ are included in the Vespers (Evening Prayer) and the Compline (Night Prayer), the nightly services of prayers before retiring for bed. Simeon’s prayer is recited or sung faithfully on a nightly basis by worshipping Christians around the world.
Light and Glory. Simeon’s words at the end of his life are also our words at the end of the day. For we have seen the light and glory of Jesus in our day. We have seen His power and His presence. Thus we can also pray these words of Simeon before our head hits the pillow… We can rest in peace knowing the Messiah has been revealed to all the world. Our spirit has been set free just like Simeon, and we can depart this day, if not this world, in peace.
Illuminating the World. Jesus is the Light to the Gentiles. In fact, He is the light of the world (John 8:12), who radiates revelation truth to all the nations. He disclosed that which has been hidden, He revealed what before was unknown. His revelation light dispels the darkness. He reveals the path to life eternal. H discloses the nature of God Almighty. The light of Jesus renews our vision and sharpens our focus on truth. As is recited in the Creed, Jesus is “light from light, true God from true God. “He is the radiance of God’s glory” (Hebrews 1:3). As has been sung in a popular song, Jesus is Love that comes to us at the speed of light. When Peter, James and John saw Jesus on the mount of Transfiguration, “His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (Matthew 17:2). And when John had a vision of the ascended Jesus, “His eyes were like a burning fire, and His face was the sun shining in all its brilliance” (Rev. 1:14-16). Jesus isn’t merely like a light, it’s not just a metaphor. He literally is the light of truth that shines in the darkness for all the world to see. And all who follow Him become children of light.
Fulfilling Isaiah. Jesus is the glory of Israel. He has indeed brought glory to the nation of God. He brought Himself. He is the glory of Israel. The world has flocked to this Holy One of Israel. The righteous Messiah King, coming from God’s chosen people, has indeed attracted people from all over the world. Israel experienced glory, and it came in the Person of Christ. Simeon’s blessing has prophetically fulfilled the vision of Isaiah 60:1-3, “Arise, shine out, for your light has come, and the glory of Yahweh has risen on you. Look! Though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples, on you Yahweh is rising and over you His glory can be seen. The nations will come to your light and kings to your dawning brightness. Lift up your eyes and look around…” (New Jerusalem Bible).
Simeon’s prayer over baby Jesus has become our prayer at night. We can now leave the day behind in peace, for the Light has come to us in all His glory.
NUNC DIMITTIS (Prayer before going to sleep)