2010 – October 20 – Resting in Peace

Image #1 ... Rembrandt's - Simeon's Joy ...
Image #2 de Gelder's - Nunc Dimittis


Study from God’s Word… Luke, Chapters 1 – 2 … Passage for Reflection: Luke 2: 28 - 30 … NIV 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

My Journal for Today: I revel with peace in reading, re-reading, and mediating from the story of The Christ’s birth, being foretold some 700+ years before the Babe born in Bethlehem by the Prophets Micah and Isaiah and others. And the unfolding of the birth story of our Messiah just gives me great peace, … especially knowing that this One, Who was born in a manger stall, was, … AND IS, my Savior.

I can just imagine what must have been felt by that loving Priest, Simeon, who had been promised by God to one day see The Messiah before he died; and then to take THE ONE in his arms from His mother; and to be able to declare his “nunc dimittis,” which, in Latin, means “now dismiss me.” And this moment has been depicted often over the centuries, in song and art, such as the photos attached here, the first one by Rembrandt and the second by his student, Arent de Gelder, depicting the joy felt by Simeon as he was allowed to hold the very Author of Salvation.

But do you realize, along with me here in this moment, that we can hold the same “Rest In Peace” joy felt by Simeon, Mary, Zechariah, Joseph, and others who were there to look into the eyes of the Baby Christ child. Yes, we can also “R.I.P.” as the old cartoon depiction of death, declares. Why? Well, we can rest in peace ecause we don’t need to fear death and can experience the ultimate in peace, KNOWING that Jesus was born as a Child, lived as a Rabbi, and died as a Savior so that I can live in His peace FOREVER. And so, right now, as I write this, I feel the same L.I.P. (“live in peace”) attitude which Simeon must’ve felt when that babe was placed in his arms.

I live in the peace of knowing that no matter what happens in this life, my forever has been shaped by that Baby who was born as the God-child and Who became the God-man, … the Lamb of God, Who was sacrificed for my sin on Calvary. Yes, Jesus is my “nunc dimittis,” giving me eternal peace and assurance that He has saved me from myself.

And here I am again, declaring “Hallelujah,” my Savior!!!”

My Prayer for Today: Yes, Lord, HALLELUJAH, … for letting me rest in peace in this life and eternally with You in glory. Amen