“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32 Read Luke 2:22-39

Each Sunday in our worship service, following the Lord’s Supper, we sing the Nunc Dimittis, the words of Simeon at the presentation of our Lord, recorded in Luke 2:29-32. It’s also an option in the Order of Vespers.

Simeon of old was ready to depart this life, but God had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ, the promised Messiah and Savior from sin, the one promised of old who would “redeem Israel from all his iniquities” (Psalm 130:8).

Now, having seen with his eyes and having taken Jesus up in his arms, Simeon was ready to depart this life in peace because he had seen the promised Christ Child. He was ready to die and face God’s judgment because he knew that His God and Savior had come and that, for the sake of the holy life this Child would live and for the sake of the innocent sufferings and death this Child would accomplish, atonement for his sins would be made.

He was ready to die at peace with God for, in Christ Jesus, he had a Savior from sin and its eternal punishment! Having believed the promises of God and waited years for God to send his Savior, Simeon was privileged to see the fulfillment of God’s ancient promises with his own eyes and to take up his Savior in his own arms!

What about you? Are you ready to die and stand before God, your Maker? Are you at peace with God, knowing that your sins are paid for and forgiven for Christ’s sake?

For such confidence, we look to the pages of Holy Scripture, for there we, too, see our Savior and the salvation God has provided for us. There we see Christ’s holy life for us under God’s Law, and there we see His bitter sufferings and death for us on the cross.

There we see Jesus, our Savior, the Light of the Gentiles and the Glory of His people Israel. There we learn of God’s pardon and peace upon all who repent of their sinful ways and look in faith to Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross. There we learn that, through faith in Christ, we are not condemned but have eternal life!

The Scriptures tell us “that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4). The Scriptures tell us that “he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2); and that through faith in Him, “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7). The Scriptures tell us that for a believer to depart this life is “to be with Christ; which is far better” (Phil. 1:23). God’s Word assures us that the one who hears Jesus’ word and believes on Him that sent Him, has “everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).

And so, when we look at Christ through the Scriptures and trust in Him, we too can be ready, as Simeon was, to depart this life in peace; for, as the Scriptures say, “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1-2).

And it is most certainly fitting that we sing these words of Simeon after partaking of the Lord’s Supper, for there we partake of Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (cf. John 1:29). As Simeon took up the Christ Child in his own arms and said the words of the Nunc Dimittis, so we take up Christ in the Lord’s Supper and eat and drink of His body and blood given and shed for the remission of our sins.

And, as we depart this service, we depart in peace, knowing that Christ has come and won for us forgiveness and life everlasting. We leave with the assurance that our sins are pardoned and forgiven and that we have peace with God because Christ died for our sins and rose again.

And, when we depart this life, we can say with Simeon, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”

God grant us such faith and peace in Christ Jesus our Savior!

Lord Jesus Christ, let our eyes behold You through the pages of Holy Scripture, that we too may trust in You and always be ready to depart this life in peace. Revive the weak in faith and strengthen all of us, that we may stand fast in our Savior until He returns to grant unto us and all believers life everlasting. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” Luke 2:8-20

When Jesus the Messiah was born and laid in a manger, an angel announced His birth to shepherds staying in a field nearby and keeping watch over their flock by night. The heavenly messenger brought them good tidings of great joy not just for themselves but for all people; for that very day in Bethlehem, the city of David, a Savior was born, the Messiah, the LORD (Jehovah) Himself in human flesh.

And, as the angel choir said in its hymn of praise, this child brought peace between God and men and God’s goodwill toward sinful mankind.

How could this be? Jesus Christ satisfied the righteous demands of God’s holy law for us, keeping all God’s commandments perfectly and without sin in His thoughts, desires, words and deeds. And He suffered and died on the cross in our stead and paid in full the just punishment for the sins of all that God might have mercy upon us and graciously forgive our sins when we look to His Son in faith for pardon and peace!

Having heard this joyful news, the shepherds were not content to go back to their work of guarding the flock; they went to see the things of which the angel had told them. And they found it just as the angel had said. They found Mary and Joseph and, with them, the Christ Child lying in a manger.

Nor did the shepherds keep the good news to themselves; they told everyone — they made known abroad — what the angel had told them concerning this Child born in Bethlehem.

Mary herself treasured the words of the shepherds concerning her Son and pondered them in her heart.

And, when the shepherds returned to their flock, they were glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, which was just as the angel had told them. They were rejoicing in God’s gift of a Savior who would redeem them and give them a place in God’s eternal kingdom.

Of course, these events in history have great significance for each and every one of us today. God’s own dear Son was born in Bethlehem on that historic day. His birth is good tidings of great joy to us as well, for He is the long-promised Messiah, the LORD God Himself, and He went to the cross for the sins of the world — for the sins of each of us — and He rose again in victory, that each and every one of us might have forgiveness for all our sins and life eternal through faith in Him!

God would have us heed the message of the Christmas Gospel and turn from our sinful ways to Christ Jesus in faith that we might receive the pardon and forgiveness He won for us by coming into this world as a babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger at Bethlehem, and then fulfilling all the demands of God’s commandments for us and making full atonement on the cross for our sins!

Dearest Jesus, we thank you for coming into this world a true man — that babe born in Bethlehem — and going to the cross to redeem us and make us Your own. Move us to take the time to see, to believe, to worship, and to spread abroad the good news of salvation through faith in Your name. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7

Our epistle lesson today comes from the close of St. Paul’s letter to the believers at Philippi, in the province of Macedonia (northern Greece today).

After urging the believers to “stand fast in the Lord” (4:1) and asking Euodias and Syntyche “that they be of the same mind in the Lord” (4:2-3), the apostle calls upon all the believers to “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (4:4). The Greek word behind “rejoice” indicates that believers are to rejoice in the grace of God shown them in Christ Jesus — to rejoice in His grace. And, if any people have reason to be happy and joyful all the time, it is believers, for God has graciously pardoned their sins and granted them the everlasting joys of heaven through faith in Jesus!

And, since the coming of the Lord Jesus is drawing ever closer, the Philippian believers were to let their kind and loving spirit be known to all people — an exhortation for us to consider, as well.

As those who trust in Christ and His cross for pardon and forgiveness, they were not to be weighed down with the cares and concerns of this life. Rather, they were to take all their needs and concerns to God in prayer, trusting in Him to provide according to His perfect will and also giving thanks to Him in all things.

Have you ever noticed in the Bible how often being thankful is urged upon us as believers? Thankfulness flows from faith in God to meet our every need. In many ways, it is the opposite of covetousness, which is a lack of faith and idolatry. If we trust in God to provide us with all that we need, we will also be satisfied and content in all that God provides and not desire what He has not given us because we trust in Him to know best what is good and needful for us.

And, when we trust in the Lord God for our salvation and also to meet all our needs — when we take our cares and concerns to Him in prayer and trust Him and give thanks to Him for His answer to our requests — then the truth of verse 7 is appropriated by us: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Through faith in Christ, we have peace with God — the peace of sins forgiven and God’s acceptance of us as His own dear children. Romans 5:1-2 tells us: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

In Ephesians 2:13-18, St. Paul writes: “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

And, in Colossians 1:19-23, the apostle writes: “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven …”

Christ, by His atoning sacrifice for our sins, satisfied God’s wrath against us and won for us pardon and peace. And, when we trust in Christ and His cross, that peace with God becomes ours and we live and rest in the assurance that God indeed forgives and accepts us as His own dear children for Jesus’ sake.

But, when we trust in God’s mercy, His acceptance of us, and His many promises to be with us and care for us, we have another kind of peace. Though certainly connected, it’s not only the peace with God established by Christ’s atoning sacrifice and appropriated by faith in Christ and His cross; it’s peace in God when we trust in Him to watch over us and care for our every need. It’s the confidence that our God indeed loves us, cares for us, hears our prayers and petitions for Jesus’ sake, and is a loving heavenly Father who knows and does what is good and best for us. This peace is a peace of mind that our God will never fail us or let us down. It is a confidence that, no matter what happens, God is working for our good, as St. Paul says in Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Think of Jesus’ words to His disciples, spoken to them on the evening of His betrayal and arrest, just hours before He would be nailed to the cross and forsaken of God the Father that He might atone for our sins and the sins of the world: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

The peace which Jesus gave to His disciples and which He gives to you and to me is not a peace like the world gives. It’s not a temporary and fleeting peace from wars or troubles or even death. It’s not a lie, a promise of peace and blessing and happiness when there is no peace and lasting happiness, and the judgment of God is about to fall. It’s not a false promise of the joys of heaven when one is on the precipice of the eternal fires of hell. Rather, it is a peace in the midst of troubles and heartaches because we have a God who is working all for our good and answering our prayers according to His good and gracious will.

Jesus had peace when He was about to be crucified and condemned for the sins of the world. Why? because He trusted His heavenly Father with the outcome.

In Hebrews 12:2, we read of Jesus that He, “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” What joy was set before Him? The joy of knowing that God would accomplish your salvation and my salvation and win us for His eternal kingdom by Christ’s death for us on the cross. In the midst of what He would endure, Jesus had peace, and He gives us that peace.

A long time ago, I read a devotion that has stuck with me for years and years. It said that two artists were asked to take a canvas and paint their own rendition of peace. One painted a beautiful scene in which everything was calm and peaceful, but the second painted a thundering waterfall and a sapling growing out of the rock and over the fall, with the mist rising and the air currents making it sway back and forth. And in the forked branch of that tree was a bird’s nest with a bird resting calmly on her eggs inside it. The first, the devotion said, is stagnation and only a temporary calm. The second is true peace, a calmness even though the world around it is violent and boisterous.

In Isaiah 26:3, God gives us these inspired words: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” These words teach us about peace in God — the kind of peace Jesus gives to us in addition to peace with God. God gives us this peace when our minds are stayed upon Him — when we come to know Him and His love for us and to trust in Him not only to forgive and accept us for Jesus’ sake but also to care for us, provide us with all our needs, watch over us and preserve us from harm and danger and to keep us in the true and saving faith unto life everlasting.

It doesn’t matter if the world is coming apart around us. It doesn’t matter if we are facing pandemics or wars or political upheavals. God is in control! He has redeemed us and made us His own dear children through faith in Christ Jesus. He will never leave us or forsake us; He’s with us always, “even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). Jesus is preparing a place for us in the mansions of His Father’s house, and He’s coming again to take us to be with Him there (cf. John 14:1-6). Even in death, we need not be afraid because to die is gain for us — we go to be with the Lord (Phil. 1:21,23). And, even if our bodies and laid in the grave and decay, our Redeemer lives and will raise us up on the last day (cf. Job 19:25-27). We face God’s judgment at peace with God because our sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. We face the troubles of this life with the peace of knowing that our God has us in His hand and will bring us safely through this life to Himself in heaven (cf. 2 Tim. 4:18; John 10:27-30).

Think about it: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isa. 26:3).

“The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).

When we know God and trust in Him, we have peace beyond all human understanding. We have peace and confidence in the midst of the chaos of this world.

When we make use of the privilege won for us by Christ Jesus and His death on the cross (cf. 1 John 5:14-15) and take our troubles and concerns to our God in prayer and give Him thanks for His answer no matter how He answers our requests, we have peace no matter what the outcome for we know and trust the one who is in control and is working for our good.

And, it is fitting that we use the words of Philippians 4:7 after the sermon each Sunday, for the sermons should give to us such peace and confidence in our God that our hearts and minds are kept in the true and saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and all He has done for us, for “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

Through the reading and hearing of God’s Word, we come to know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He] hast sent” (John 17:3). And when, through the Holy Spirit’s teaching in the Word, we come to truly know Him and the salvation He has provided for us in Christ Jesus, we will be moved to love Him and trust in Him for all things and so have peace in Him no matter what is going on around us in the world!

And now, “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:7).

God give you peace with Him and peace in Him! Shalom! Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“What A Friend We Have in Jesus” music used with permission from GospelRiver.com. The music performer(s) may not agree with the theological positions of this site.

57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. 66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

In the prophetic words we sometimes call the Benedictus, Zacharias the priest, being filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke of the salvation God was providing in His only-begotten Son and also of the ministry of his own son, John the Baptist.

Jesus, Son of God and descended from David through the Virgin Mary, came into the world as promised since the very beginning. In Jesus, God Himself visited and redeemed His people. Jesus bore upon the cross the punishment for the sins of the whole world and made atonement for God’s people and for all of mankind. He suffered, died and rose again that He might set us free from the curse and condemnation of our sins to live for Him and serve Him evermore!

John the Baptist, the son born to Zecharias in his old age, would be the prophet of the Highest, going before the Lord Jesus Christ, who is Jehovah Himself in human flesh, to prepare His ways.

And how was John to prepare the people for the coming of their Lord and God? He was to give them knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. He was to teach them of God’s mercy and forgiveness for the sake of the innocent sufferings and death of God’s Son, the Dayspring from on high who would visit them. In this way, he would give light to those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death and guide their feet into the way of peace with the Lord their God.

People today are still sitting in spiritual darkness and the shadow of death. They do not know the LORD God and His mercy in Christ Jesus and are headed for an eternity of suffering and punishment apart from Him and His lovingkindness.

Thus, the ministry of God’s people today, as they prepare for the second coming of the Lord Jesus from heaven, is to give to people around them in the world knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins. The church is to call people to repentance and faith in the Messiah and Savior; for Jesus, God’s own dear Son, came into this world, redeemed all of mankind by suffering and dying on the cross for all sin and rose again on the third day.

Followers of Christ proclaim the law of God that people might see their sinfulness and the error of their ways. They make known the good news of God’s mercy and forgiveness in Christ Jesus that people might trust in Him alone for eternal salvation. In this way, followers of Jesus continue to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death and guide their feet into the way of peace.

O gracious and merciful God, bring us all to repent of our sinful and erring ways and grant us mercy and forgiveness for the sake of the Son, Jesus Christ, that Dayspring from on High who has come to visit and redeem us. And, dear Lord Jesus, move us to give to others, sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins through faith in You and Your innocent sufferings and death in their stead. Amen.

[Scripture quoted from the King James Version of the Bible]

“Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” Matthew 11:2-3

Are you ever troubled by doubts concerning your faith? Have you ever doubted that Jesus really is God the Son in human flesh who has come into this world to save us from sin and everlasting punishment? Or, are you ever troubled by doubts about God’s mercy and forgiveness upon you in Jesus Christ? Do you ask, “Are my sins really forgiven? Will Christ come and receive me into the eternal joys of heaven?”

John the Baptist boldly prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah and Savior by calling upon all to repent of their sinful and self-centered ways and pointing them to Jesus, God’s Son and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Luke 3:1ff.; John 1:29,34).

He was even so bold as to call upon King Herod to repent of his sinful ways, pointing out that he was sinning by having his brother Philip’s wife (Luke 3:19-20; Lev. 18:6,16).

But now, he was watching and hearing of Jesus from a dark prison cell. Jesus had not yet fulfilled those ancient prophecies which spoke of the Messiah judging the wicked and unbelieving world and establishing an everlasting kingdom in which righteousness dwells (cf. Ps. 96:13; 145:13; Dan. 2:44). Though he had been faithful, now he was awaiting his execution and Jesus seemingly was doing nothing about it.

Perhaps this is why John sent two of his disciples to Jesus. Or, perhaps, he was directing his disciples to Jesus for their own sakes. But coming to Jesus with our doubts and fears is a good place to bring them.

“Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” they asked.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me” (Matt. 11:4-6; cf. Isa. 29:18; 35:3ff.; 61:1ff.; 28:16; 8:14f.).

Is Jesus the promised Messiah? Yes, He is the one promised — the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14), the Son of David (Luke 1:30-35; Isa. 9:6-7), the Redeemer of mankind (Gal. 4:4-5).

Why do we go on suffering in this world? Why has He not come to judge the living and the dead and to establish His everlasting kingdom?

He “is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).

And so we see, through the preaching of the Gospel, the spiritually blind seeing their sin and seeing in Christ Jesus their Savior, the spiritually lame walking and living for their God, those with incurable sins cleansed in the blood of Jesus, those who could not hear and understand the Word of God hearing and believing, those dead in their trespasses and sins raised to new life through faith in Christ Jesus (cf. Eph. 2:1ff.).

It is as Luther says in his Small Catechism: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life” (SC, Creed, Art. III).

And, when Jesus comes back on the Last Day, we and all believers will “be His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity“ (SC, Creed, Art. II).

O gracious and merciful Savior, grant that we not doubt but take comfort in Your gracious working to establish Your kingdom and make us Your own. Amen.

[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]