Page 22 - August 2026 - Truth & Tidings

is often referred to as the Nunc Dimittis, elderly man in the temple. But Simeon
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Latin for “now you dismiss.” Simeon tells had more to say, and some of it was quite
the Lord he is now ready to be dismissed sobering.
from his earthly post, since God had been
faithful to His promise. The Lord told Keeping it Real
Simeon he would see the Christ, but he “And Simeon blessed them, and said
was not only beholding but holding Him in unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is
his arms. Notice that Simeon did not say, set for the fall and rising again of many in
“Mine eyes have seen the Lord’s Christ,” Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken
although they certainly did. He exclaimed, against that the thoughts of many hearts
“Mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” He may be revealed” (vv34-35). Simeon kept
equated Christ with salvation. Salvation is it real, telling them there was a dark side
a Person; salvation is Christ. He not only to the good news.
brings salvation, but He Himself is salva- He reveals to them first that Christ would
tion. Therefore, Christ is all we need. And divide, causing some to fall and others to
He is available now for “all people” (v31), rise. Those who reject Him will be headed
which Simeon goes on to define as both for a terrifying fall into God’s judgment,
Gentiles and the people of Israel (v32). while those who receive Him by faith will
Specifically, the Child will be “a light rise, be vindicated and enjoy God’s many
to lighten the Gentiles,” meaning that He blessings. Second, Christ would be the object
is a revelation to Gentiles, disclosing that of hatred, “a sign which shall be spoken
God’s plan ultimately includes them, not against.” This Child who was indeed
just Israel. He is also “the glory of thy God’s salvation would have to endure ago-
people Israel,” meaning that all the na- nizing conflict and opposition (see 12:51-
tion’s hopes will find their fulfillment in 53). He would be hated without a cause
the Lord Jesus. But the two are connected (Psa 69:4). Because of this, Simeon tells
and always were in the mind of God. God them, Christ would reveal “the thoughts
had revealed Himself to Israel and she was of many hearts.” “When people truly en-
to bear testimony, pointing the nations to counter Christ, their inner thoughts (that
Him. Israel was to be “not the terminus of is, their evil thoughts) are seen for what
God’s revelation, but the conduit of God’s they are. Apart from God’s merciful inter-
revelation to all humanity.” vention, people naturally oppose Him.”
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The young couple listened to all this in Thus, the Lord Jesus would divide; He
amazement. “And Joseph and his mother would anger; He would expose; He would
marvelled at those things which were spo- set on fire all sorts of hostility.
ken of him” (v33). Revelation about their Then Simeon moves from the effect their
Son just kept coming, first from angels, Child would have on others to the impact
then from shepherds, and now from an on Mary herself: “Yea, a sword shall pierce
through thy own soul also” (2:35). Trying
5 Simeon’s song is considered the last one of the
incarnation. We have heard Mary’s Magnificat events were yet ahead for her. They would
(1:46-55), the Benedictus of Zacharias (1:67-79), have to endure the flight to Egypt from the
the angels’ Gloria in Excelsis (2:14), and now hear
Simeon’s Nunc Dimittis (2:29-32). 7 R. Kent Hughes, Luke Volume One: That You
6 James R. Edwards, The Gospel According to Luke May Know the Truth (Wheaton, IL: Crossway
(Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2015), 86. Books, 1998), 97.

246 TRUTH kTidings August 2026