Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, now you are letting your servant depart in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” Luke 2:28-32
Lord Jesus, with your beyond-understanding peace and Gospel-assurance in my heart—I am thankful beyond measure that, like Simeon, I too will “depart in peace” whenever you call me Home. You are the only reason any of us can live with “no guilt in life, and no fear in death.”
We feel guilty, but those who know you aren’t; for you exhausted our guilt on the cross. We don’t feel good enough to deserve heaven and your delight, and we aren’t. But you clothed us in your perfect righteousness and made us your bride (2Cor.5:21; 1Cor.1:30). We still have doubts; but you don’t. Your banner over us is love, your grace for us is measureless, and your grasp of us is eternal. Hallelujah!
Oh, the wonder of it all … you laid aside your glory in your incarnation (Phil.2:5-11), lay peacefully in Mary’s embrace, the stable’s manger, and Simeon’s arms. Thirty-three years later, you laid down your life for us on the cross—there is no greater mystery, greater love, or greater reason to adore you. “Born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth”… Angels aren’t the only “Hark-ers”; we too “Hark” with joy today, Jesus.
This is the Gospel, the meaning of life, and why, like Simeon, we can live with peace, suffer with peace, dance with peace, and die in peace. And it’s why we can trust you with our old wounds, current crucibles, and as many tomorrows you are pleased to give us. So Very Amen.
