Bowing Out Gracefully

During Rembrandt's last year, he painted his renowned painting Simeon In The Temple. The painting differed from Rembrandt's first Simeon painting when the painter was 25 years old, making a name for himself with burgeoning success. His last painting had no pageantry, the glitz and glamor, the panoramic scene with Simeon at the center bathed in light and luxury. Older, wiser, and nearing death, Rembrandt instead paints a more gritty-toned Simeon, frail, weathered, his aged face aglow, with a child-like awe-struck gaze as he held the Christ child in his arms with open hands. The new met the old at the intersection of life. It is a painting showing incomprehensible joy and, above all else, humility. Simeon's years-long wait was over, and a Holy Spirit promise was fulfilled before he died. The Savior of Israel and the world arrived.

In his Gospel, Luke details in 2:25-35 Simeon's Spirit-led encounter with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus as they came to the temple. The Holy Spirit was with Simeon and revealed to him before the birth happened that Simeon would see Jesus Christ before his death. Simeon's patience was rewarded, holding the mystery of God Incarnate in his arms — the beauty of the Divine and earth within this baby. In verse 29, Simeon states, "now," which indicates the long-awaited Messiah had arrived with mercy for all mankind that lies within the heart of this child.

Holding Jesus, Simeon proclaims praise now traditionally known as Nunc Dimittis ("now dismiss"), where he speaks of Jesus as the source of salvation, a light to the Gentiles, and a source of glory for Israel. It's a prophetic praise of the Lord's redemptive purpose and salvation for all people. We were bought with a price for our sins through the life and death of Jesus Christ, who breaks sin and death for all.

Advent is a season of joy, chorals, get-togethers, and the lighting of candles, but not discussed often is Simeon's warning to Mary "A sword will pierce through your own soul” (v.35). It was a warning that Jesus would cause polarization and conflict with people and the world. And in doing so, during His ministry, Jesus will also reveal a person's state of their heart. Mary will become the suffering mother as Jesus dies before her on the cross in the great exchange of His life for our sins and salvation. It's the last words recorded from Simeon. We know nothing about his life or death after this encounter when he said God was letting him depart in peace.

I do not know who wrote the following, but along with Rembrandt's capturing of the child-like wonder and hope Simeon possessed and Luke's account of Simeon’s encounter, it nicely sums up a faith and life lesson:

Simeon’s words are a promise to all whomever yield to the temptation to wrestle their destiny out of the hands of the sovereign and merciful God. I, like Simeon, will come to the end of life with pride behind me, love around me, and hope ahead of me. That is bowing out gracefully.

Merry Christmas!

Dan Nickel