Nunc Dimittis
Luke 2:22-40
Main Idea: Receive Christ with joy. Reveal Christ to the world. Rest in the peace only Christ gives.
Luke 2:22–24: And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
I. Receive Christ with Joy (2:25-30, 33-35)
Luke 2:25-26: Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Luke 2:27: And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law.
In verse 28, Simeon does something astonishing: “He took Him up in his arms…”
Galatians 4:4: “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman.”
Luke 2:28–30: ...he took him 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…
A. Receiving Christ means recognizing Him
John 1:12: But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
Matthew 16:16–17: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God… flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father.
B. Receiving Christ means surrendering control
Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
II. Reveal Christ to the World (2:30-35, 36-38)
A. Simeon proclaims Christ to the nations
Luke 2:29-32: Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.
Simeon’s song is not a private whisper; it is a global announcement.
Luke 2:33–35: And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
B. Anna proclaims Christ to the faithful remnant (2:36-38)
Luke 2:36–38: And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
C. Revealing Christ flows out of worship
Both Simeon and Anna worship saw a greater worship first, then witnessed second.
Simeon: “was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel…and he came in the Spirit into the temple,
Anna: She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
III. Rest in the Peace Only Christ Gives (2:29-30)
Simeon’s song begins with nunc dimittis:
Luke 2:29-30: Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation…
A. Peace Rests on the Word of God
B. Peace in Life and Death flows from Peace with God
C. Christ himself is Our Peace
Simeon can die in peace because he has received the Prince of Peace.
