December 26
Simeon's Resignation
The Christian's Daily Treasury"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word" Luke 2:29.
SIMEON waited for the consolation of Israel, that is, for the advent of the promised Messiah; and he did not wait in vain: he saw the Lord's Christ, and embracing him, both in the arms of his faith and his flesh, he blessed God, and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word." It is said of some of the Turks, that, when they have seen the tomb of Mohammed, they put out their eyes, that they may never defile them again by viewing earthly objects: this they do from a blind and superstitious regard to the false prophet: but good old Simeon did not desire to see any more of this world, after he had witnessed the Divine Redeemer.
We have in this passage a farewell to life, and a welcome to death. Let us dwell a little on three topics.
THE CHRISTIAN'S CHARACTER. He is a servant of God. This was not always the case. In the period of conversion, he renounced the service of sin and Satan, and yielded himself to him who is the best of Masters. The service he renders has various properties, which we may just allude to:—it is a spiritual, loving, believing, evangelical, voluntary, and impartial service.
THE CHRISTIAN'S DEATH. It is here represented as a departure in peace. Observe
Its nature. A departure: so Paul speaks of it. Death is the departure of the soul from the body; it loosens the silver cord that unites them both; it is a departure from sorrow to joy, from warfare to victory, from the partial to the full enjoyment of God, from a barren wilderness to a fruitful Paradise, from a dark and dreary night to a bright and glorious day.
Its manner. It is a departure in peace. This includes all peace—peace with God, peace of conscience, peace with our fellow-Christians, and our enemies, yea, peace with death itself.
THE CHRISTIAN'S RESIGNATION. "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;"—as if he had said, Now I have seen and embraced the Saviour, thou dost let me depart in peace; I can die happy. This implies an assurance of preparation for death, a wish for release from sin and sorrow, and a desire to be with Christ.