A Song of Rest - Nunc Dimittis

Luke 2:25–35 NASB95

25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 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. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” 33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Introduction

Do you ever get that feeling that you forgot something? A number of us are probably going to be doing some packing for holiday travels right about now. You probably know the feeling. You’re finally done packing. You’re pulling out of the driveway and finally on the road when that feeling hits. Did I lock the door? Did I pack everything I needed? Did I leave the stove on from breakfast? Maybe you’ve even turned around after you’re down the road just to lay that feeling to rest. There’s a restlessness that comes with wondering if you missed something. It goes along with ordinary life too!

There’s a restlessness in many of us from an early age for fear of missing out. Whether that be friends, career, family, or money there are so many who continue day after day restless wondering if they’ve done enough not to miss out. And perhaps for some that feeling continues as we wonder in retrospect, did I do enough? What have I missed out on?

Whether we’re looking ahead or looking back, that restlessness can remain if we feel we’re missing out on some good for us or our family. This recognition begs a question, “At what point do we realize we’re not missing out and can finally rest?”

If we look to Simeon this morning there’s good news for the restless. Simeon is a righteous and devout man at the end of his life, but he realizes he’s missed something. He’s looking for something more before he dies, but this search isn’t prompted by just anyone. The Holy Spirit prompts this search. The Holy Spirit tells him of a great gift he will receive before he dies: .. seeing Jesus, the Lord’s Christ first hand.

The noteworthy thing here is the heart of rest he comes to in seeing Jesus. There’s nothing more he’s searching for, there’s nothing else to be found or accomplished.

Luke 2:29 NASB95

29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word;

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Simeon goes resting into death! How!? How does the imminent loss of all that he gained in his life accompany such a statement of rest. It’s as if he’s not lacking or losing anything even as he approaches death. That’s an extraordinary consideration, but it’s true.

The conclusion to the text this morning comes with a similar thought. How is it that we can rest when this Messiah will come to be opposed and rejected by so many? Simeon comes to tell Mary of what will come: It’s not exactly the hopeful words you want to hear as a new mother, but it carries the hope of salvation for Jews and Gentiles alike. Christ will be rejected, but in His rejection will come the hope of a resurrection - a resurrection that gives all His restless saints reason to rest in every season.

Though we may be rejected by the world, we are not left searching and restless. In Christ’s rejection we are given the comfort of an eternal rest in the resurrection of Christ.

The restless righteous

Rest is revealed

Rest is rejected

The rejected will rise

The Restless Righteous

Let’s begin with Simeon. What kind of man was he? There isn’t a lot of detail in two verses, but there’s enough to start creating a bit of a biography- a biography we might be able to sympathize with. If you look there in verse 25 the first thing that is mentioned about Simeon is his character, righteous and devout. Simeon likely has a pretty good reputation in his community. It’s evident to everyone around him that he is a God fearing man devoted to God and his law. He’s faithful to his friends and His family and faithful to come before the Lord in the temple.

In a place like Israel at this time you can imagine how this might give one reason for comfort and rest. There are certainly those who would come later in the Luke narrative who appear to be comfortable in their own faithfulness and their own devotion to the law. Simeon is an old man surely he would be able to look back on his life, look at how his community sees him and rest knowing, he was faithful. He gave Himself to the right things. That’s not the case though! We find Simeon a devout and righteous man searching. He’s looking for something more. There’s something he has yet to do before he dies!

Simple question: “Why do we search?” “Why do we go looking for something?”

Simple question with a simple answer I believe: Because we believe there’s something good to be found.

Two things there.

Belief it can be found.

Belief it is good.

If we don’t believe something can be found we tend not to go looking for it.

Everyone once in a while an article hits the news about some guy who finds a chest full of jewelry or old war bonds on his property. It sounds good enough, but we rarely walk away scouring our own houses or backyards for treasure, because we don’t believe there’s actually something good to be found.

On the other hand, if it isn’t good, we tend not to put in the effort to look for it.

I bet you if I looked hard enough I could find a penny hiding in some corner of my house, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m going to go look for it.

We find Simeon looking because he believes there’s some good that he’s lacking and there’s actually hope he can find it! He’s more than a devout and righteous man on the outside he’s a man of faith! He believes that there is good yet to be found for himself and for the nation of Israel in the Messiah. You’ll see the passage use the term, “the consolation of Israel.”

Simeon isn’t looking for another thrill before he dies.

He’s not looking for more creature comforts.

He’s looking for the One who would come bringing comfort and rest to the nation. That word consolation can be understood simply as comfort- he’s looking for the comfort of Israel. I imagine some of Simeon’s friends and neighbors would think that’s quite the treasure hunt for someone as old as Simeon is.

Israel has been waiting in silence for hundreds of years and even hundreds of years before that Israel has been waiting for their Messiah who would bring the rest that David spoke of. Now Simeon, a respectable righteous man comes along thinking, I’m going to find him.

What inspires this search, the longing in Simeon? The Holy Spirit himself. Simeon is not just a righteous and devout man on the outside, he’s a man of faith from the heart. One whom the Lord is glad to reveal Himself.

Luke 2:26 NASB95

26 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.

—-

This is something good! .. and there’s an assurance from God that it can and will be found! I can’t imagine what a promise like that would have felt like in the day to day. How many days did he wake up in the morning wondering, “Is today the day I see the Christ?”

If it were me I would probably have had my head on a swivel wherever I went, always watching and waiting for the Christ to step into the room at any moment. There’s a good kind of restlessness in a waiting like that!

I wonder how often we find ourselves restless in a similar way. It’s not a restlessness that the world experiences in their godlessness, unrighteousness, and faithless wandering. We as the church walking in righteousness and devotion and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, we too can find ourselves restless and looking as Simeon did. We know there’s a greater rest to be found! A rest even to be found in this life as much as we realize we don’t ultimately rest until we’re with Jesus in heaven.

I believe we have some real encouragement here for the restless righteous here this morning! The Holy Spirit is glad and ready to show us more of Christ that we can rest all the more. From this point in Luke all the way to the end of the book of Acts the Holy Spirit is working in all kinds of ways to show people more of Jesus.

Maybe this morning you do feel restless. You do feel that something is missing. Whether you look ahead to the life you have yet to live, wondering if you’ll miss something or you look back on the life you’ve already lived and worry that you missed something, the Holy Spirit stands ready to put that worry and restlessness to rest with the sufficiency of Christ. Young or old, the Holy Spirit helps to see all that we have in Jesus such that we can say with Simeon, there is nothing more I need from this life.

Might this be our prayer this Christmas should we find ourselves searching and restless, “Holy Spirit show me more of Jesus.” Show me the rest to be found in this magnificent salvation. He’s happy to answer that prayer and grant us a real and satisfying comfort and rest even now.

The Holy Spirit was faithful to Simeon as well!

Let’s see this rest revealed.

Rest Is Revealed

Notice firstly how active the Holy Spirit is here with Simeon. This should be of some comfort to us.

Luke 2:27–28 NASB95

27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple;

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The Holy Spirit has not given Simeon a glimmer of hope then left it up to him to go find this Messiah. The Holy Spirit is active in leading Simeon to the right place at the right time that his faith would be made sight. We’re dependent on that same guiding and direction even now. As we open God’s Word together every Sunday, we’re utterly dependent on the Holy Spirit to lead us to real understanding and comfort. It’s the Holy Spirit that leads us there and the Holy Spirit that works in our heart to believe and rest in view of Jesus and all He came to accomplish for us.

Simeon’s just a wandering, searching old man without the leading of the Spirit, but when the Spirit leads Him there we can see the work of the Spirit in His heart as well as his rest, the consolation of Israel is finally revealed.

Luke 2:27–32 NASB95

27 and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

—-

Before we get to the heart of the song, just put yourself in Mary’s shoes for a moment. She’s carrying the infant Jesus in her arms as they navigate the temple then all of a sudden an elderly man comes out of nowhere like he’s been looking for you, but instead of actually coming to meet you he comes and picks up your son and begins to praise to God. I’d imagine most moms would get a little defensive. Who does this guy think he is? It’s an odd picture for us perhaps, but it speaks to Jesus’ entire purpose in coming as a man. As much as Mary would have treasured her newborn son like any mom would, this baby came to be the treasure of all those looking for redemption and salvation. Simeon has finally found the treasure he’s been looking for and can’t help but hold that treasure in his hands as he brings praise to God. A treasure that declares comfort and rest to all who would believe in this humble Savior.

Simeon’s song beginning in verse 29 speaks of the rest he himself has received, but it also speaks of the rest that’s extended to all who would come to Christ. Those first few words of verse 29 is where that traditional Latin title of Simeon’s song comes from. Nunc Dimittis means roughly, “Now you let depart”. God is now letting Simeon depart in peace. Simeon speaks of himself in the same way Mary did, a slave or bond-servant of God. His faithful service has already been made evident, but now there is no more for him to do. His search is done, He’s seen the Lord’s Christ, the salvation which God has provided for Israel and Gentile alike, and now he can rest. Now he can die.

Now let’s be honest. None of us here are that close to being done. Some of us are just getting started, myself included, but that doesn’t exclude us from receiving this rest which Simeon receives. At Christmas time we remember and celebrate the revelation of that salvation which Simeon saw with his own eyes. We may not know it with our eyes, but our faith lets us share in that revelation all the same! A revelation that declares to all the people that righteousness, redemption, and eternal life are accomplished in this humble Savior who died and rose again... and for all of us who have put our faith in Jesus, that righteousness is ours! The work is done. That redemption is ours. We’ve been bought by the blood of Christ. That work is done! Eternal life has been given us and nothing can take that gift from us. That work is done! The work of salvation has been accomplished for us and in that we can really and truly rest this Christmas.

I believe Paul speaks of this rest, but perhaps in a way that is more applicable to us.

Philippians 1:21–24 NASB95

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

—-

When we cling to that salvation in faith, when we cling to the comfort and rest that is in Christ for us, death is no longer a threat. Death isn’t the conclusion to our gain in this life that prompts us to ask, did we miss something? Death isn’t that thing far off for us young people that says you only have so much time to make a name for yourself. No, death is only the threshold of our gain in Christ. Simeon understands this. He’s not looking back he’s looking ahead. Paul too understands this, but Paul’s rest looks a little different. Paul isn’t searching for anything else for himself in this life. There’s nothing lacking for himself; he’s not searching for anything more, yet his work of service will continue: Not for his own gain, but for the good of the church.

Notice Simeon’s emphasis in his song. He really only thinks about himself for a moment.

Luke 2:30–32 NASB95

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

—-

The crescendo, the climax of Simeon’s song is not what he has received as great as that gift is. The ability to look at death without fear, and know that their is eternal salvation on the other side is an extraordinary thing. You might think that in and of itself would be deserving of more than two lines, but the nature of our comfort and rest in Christ allows us to look to the needs and burdens of others. It frees us to stop searching for that thing we’ve missed and begin considering the far reaches of this salvation which we’ve been given.

It’s a salvation prepared and revealed in the presence of all the peoples that people from every nation, tribe, and tongue would come to know this rest.

...

There’s certainly a message of comfort here for us to receive and cherish. There’s a salvation in Jesus that frees us to cease striving and cease searching for that thing that we’ve missed, but this message of comfort is not without purpose. Finding our rest in Jesus doesn’t mean we cease having a purpose in this world. Even Simeon’s testimony in his final days was written down for all of church history to hear.

I think it’s appropriate to ask, “Who will benefit from our resting?” Christ has risen to be seated at the right hand of God and entrusted the revelation of this rest amongst the nations to us!

If we find ourselves restless and searching let us indeed pray to see more of Christ and the sufficiency of His salvation for our benefit, but let’s not forget that this message doesn’t stop with us. The message of Christ and the peace and comfort that comes with that message is one that we proclaim to all who will hear. In Christ we become the light of the world.

Who do you know that may not know that rest yet? Whose close to you that may be on that perpetual search for that one thing they’ve missed? What would it take for us to show them the rest we have in Christ.

A simple gift to a neighbor speaks volumes. It says, “I’m not looking for things I don’t have yet, I’m looking for ways in which I can bless my neighbor.”

Maybe go the next step and have someone over for dinner around the holidays. Hospitality is one simple step away from thinking about what we’ve missed and one step toward revealing the rest we find in Christ to the world.

...

Simeon’s concluded his song on a real high note! That really is a hopeful picture: the thought of the revelation of Christ, the salvation for sinners extending to the far reaches of the earth.

The conclusion of Simeon’s song though isn’t the conclusion to this whole scene. In fact Simeon takes a rather somber tone, one that some might consider a little insensitive before a mother with her newborn.

As great as the rest is for Simeon, as far reaching as it will extend to peoples and nations, this Savior will be opposed and rejected by some. I’d like us to see however that even as sobering as these words are they shouldn’t rob us of our peace and rest in Christ.

Rest Is Rejected

Luke 2:33–35 NASB95

33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

—-

You might say Simeon in his final days doesn’t really care what people think about him. He’s not interested in puffing anyone up. He’s not sugar coating anything. He’s not bringing a message in order to inspire awe and amazement. He’s just bringing the reality of the good news of Christ. In many ways it is nothing short of amazing and awe inspiring, but it’s not a message that everyone will receive readily.

The Lord’s Christ, The salvation of God, the light of revelation to the Gentiles will be a sign to be opposed.

I don’t know about you, but if I were Joseph in that moment I’d be pretty confused. Why would the Savior of the world ever be opposed or rejected? He would come to say Himself, “Come to me you weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Who would reject such a gracious offer of rest?

Have you ever received a gift around Christmas time, but it wasn’t something you asked for. Depending on what it is you catch a glimpse of what your family thinks you want, or thinks you need. Sometimes it’s something you already have, but someone thought you could use a new one. Oftentimes it’s very welcome, but sometimes it’s a little humbling. You might think to yourself, “What was wrong with the old one?” “I liked the old one.” Guys generally have a tendency to hold onto things a little too long, and sometimes we need a nudge that says, “It’s time for a new one.” It’s a little humbling at first, but when we really look at the old mowing shoes with holes in them or the old work pants in the drawer with paint and holes all over them, we need to admit, “Yeah, I could use a new pair.”

When Jesus comes declaring the good news of the kingdom of God and rest he’s ready to provide a truly magnificent gift incomparable to any other, but there are plenty of people clinging to old mowing shoes thinking, “What’s wrong with the ones I already have?” What’s wrong with the kingdom we’ve built here? We’re not interested in a new king. What’s wrong with the Sabbath we already have, we don’t need a greater rest! What’s wrong with our righteousness we’ve already built. I made this myself. We don’t need your righteousness even if it is a gift!

Even the most gracious of gifts can be opposed and rejected if it means laying aside something we already treasure.

At the end of the day the hearts of men were revealed in their rejection of Christ. They showed to all the world as they crucified Jesus that they were unwilling to admit they were missing something. They were unwilling to admit before the most gracious gift of salvation, “I am lacking in rest, I am lacking righteousness.” In their pride they killed the Lord’s Christ, the Savior of the world.

Again, in a very forward way, Simeon gives Mary the reality of what is to come for her in particular.

“a sword will pierce even your own soul...” The day in which her son, the Lord’s Christ dies on that cross will most certainly be a gruesome and awful day for anyone watching, but even more so for a mother. What’s Simeon trying to accomplish here?

There’s a big difference between pessimism and preparation.

Simeon’s not just being a Scrooge on Christmas, “Enjoy it while it lasts.… it won’t last forever...” No, there’s a humbling reminder here for us: This sinful world naturally rejects God, and for us who find our rest and unity with Christ, we too will be rejected! That’s not exactly good news, does that just throw all those promises of rest out the window, NO! How then do we find our rest when we find the world rejecting us as it did Christ?

Two practical considerations for us.

Humility isn’t in opposition to our rest. Don’t be tempted to hold on to the old mowing shoes when the most gracious of gifts sits under the tree waiting for you. It may be humbling to admit, but our own righteousness is not sufficient to secure our rest. It may be uncomfortable to admit, but there is a greater righteousness to be found in Christ.

The world’s resistance need not deprive us of our rest when we know what Christ’s death accomplished.

The Rejected Will Rise

Tucked in that sobering statement of Simeon’s is a wonderful hope: “this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel.

I believe it’s worth noting that this word rise is the only instance in the NASB which that Greek word is translated “rise” In all 40 some other cases it’s translated “resurrection”.

Amidst the world’s determination to remain in darkness and rejection of this great gift.. salvation is actually being accomplished! Death itself is being overcome as Christ is dying and being rejected. It’s an absurd thought according to worldly wisdom, but if we see Simeon’s words with eyes of faith we recognize that even in the mourning and sorrow which Mary will experience in years to come salvation is going to be accomplished. Salvation for us! True eternal rest is being delivered, how? Christ Himself rising from the dead. Sin has been paid for in his death, and death has been overcome in His resurrection.

You might argue we could have ended on a lighter note at vs 32, but if we follow Simeon’s words all the way to the end I believe we end where we began. The reason Simeon can rest at the end of his life is because there’s hope of a resurrection! The grief and the sorrow which Mary will experience doesn’t exactly contribute to the joy we often talk about at Christmas, but the path to the cross is the path to the resurrection which is where find the basis of our rest.

No matter what season of life we’re in, our resting in every season, our peace and comfort in every season finds a foundation in the good news that no matter what happens to us in this life, even death. Christ has overcome! Christ is risen, and though the world, the flesh, and the devil fight their war with us to the very end they cannot take that rest from us! At times we may greave with Mary. At times our souls may be cut with a sword as Simeon says and we wonder “Why did it have to be this way.” , but let’s not forget the resurrection that awaits us. You can only imagine the loss that Mary must have experienced on that day, but when all was said and done she too could join Simeon realizing she’d been given everything in the Resurrection of Christ. We too can say the same! There’s nothing missing, we needn’t continue searching as Simeon was. We’ve found the Lord’s Christ. We know his peace and rest because we have the hope of his resurrection. There will come a day when we all as Christians will be raised with Him, every tear will be wiped from our eyes and we will rest in his presence for all eternity.

Might we find rest today in that hope this Christmas

And might we consider who else needs to know that hope and rest this Christmas.

Let’s Pray

Prayer of Devotion: Father attend to our restless searching.

Pastoral Prayer: Sam Copeland

To Every Tribe