Good afternoon, Internet. Another Lutheran contribution to the church's liturgy is the use of the
Nunc Dimittis as the post-communion canticle: "Lord, now let Your
servant depart in peace." At first glance it appears that we're taking
the words of Simeon completely out of context. After all, what does his
experience have to do with ours? How can Holy Communion ever compare to
Simeon's unique honor of holding the infant Jesus in his arms during the
child's first visit to the temple at the tender age of 40 days (Lk
2:25-38)?
Of course, we would love to have been in the temple and shared in the
experience with Simeon. For that matter, we would give anything to have
been the first--along with the shepherds--to see the infant Jesus, or to
have been with the Magi as they offered their gifts to him. But, as
Luther so insightfully taught, we don't find Christ in those places.
Through the events of his incarnation, birth, crucifixion, and
resurrection our Lord has accomplished our salvation. But the benefits
of his saving work--forgiveness, life, and salvation--are distributed to
us through his means of grace, his Word and Sacraments. We can't go
back to stand with Simeon in the temple. The good news is that we don't
have to.
So when, following our reception of the Lord's Supper, we sing Simeon's
ancient song of faith--"Lord, now let your servant depart in
peace"--nothing could be more appropriate. Indeed, our eyes have seen
his salvation. Better yet, we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good
(Ps. 34:8). So, what could be better than holding the infant Jesus in
our arms? How about eating and drinking his body and blood given for the
forgiveness of our sins? This truly is heaven on earth, because here we
have Jesus and all his benefits.
Blessed Eastertide,
Manny Tovar
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