Luke 2,32-40. 1. Sun. After Christmas

 Luke 2,32-40     0621

1. Sonntag nach dem Christfest  09

Stephen, Deacon and Archmartyr. Martyr in Jerusalem 34 

11 Nigerians Martyrs 2019 in NE Nigeria by Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP)

27. Dezember 2020

1. O Almighty and Everlasting God, mercifully direct our ways, so that we may walk in Your law, and be made to abound in good works.  Amen. (Veit Dietrich) 

2. »And Simeon arrived in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the Law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:„Lord, now you are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a Light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for Glory to Your people Israel.“ And His father and His mother marveled at what was said about Him.« 

3. In today’s Gospel reading we see and hear the Nunc Dimittis in its pristine form: first sung by Simeon when he saw the Messiah enter the temple. He proclaims that the Messiah brings Yahweh’s salvation, which is for all people; Messiah is a Light for revelation to the Gentiles and for the Glory of Israel. 

4. Simeon puts to song what the Prophet Isaiah had proclaimed 700 years earlier: »The people who walked in darkness have seen a Great Light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them Light has shined« (9,2). From this we arrive at the Great Antiphon for 21. December: 

℣ O Morning Star, splendor of Light Everlasting and Sun of Righteous- | ness: * 

℟ Draw near and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shad- | ow of death. 

The Apostle John tells us in his Gospel that the new born Jesus is our Light who shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome Him (1,4-5). In the darkest of our nights, when all hope seems to be extinguished, when tribulations surround us and weigh down upon us, when death seems unconquerable, Christ the Light of the world shines brightly and illuminates our darkness. Hope is restored. Tribulations are overcome. Death is conquered. Jesus is the Morning Star who heralds the dawning of a new day of light and glory, a day full of grace, mercy and peace. 

5. Anna, who was also there that day in the temple, gave thanks to God for the advent of the Messiah. She told others who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Anna connects the arrival of the Messiah to the language of atonement. This language book ends the beginning and the end of Luke’s Gospel. In chapter 1, Zechariah the father of John the Baptizer, says: »Blessed be Yahweh the God of Israel, that He visited and made redemption for His people« (1,68). In chapter 24, the 2 Emmaus disciples tell the yet unrecognized Jesus: »We were hoping that Jesus of Nazareth is the one about to redeem Israel« (24,21). Simeon, Anna, the two disciples and Luke speak with words anticipating salvation and forgiveness. 

6. The Church still speaks of Jesus as our Redeemer and Savior to this very day; this gospel is the cornerstone of preaching and proclamation that happens each Sunday. The Prophet Isaiah assures us: »Yahweh has comforted His people and will have compassion on His afflicted« (49,13). The Apostle Paul tells us that the Lord pours out this comfort through Christ: »When the right time had arrived, God sent a forth His son, born of woman, born under the law, and redeemed those who were under the law, so that we received adoption as sons and daughters« (Galatians 4,9).

7. Luke concludes this pericope by telling us Jesus became strong [εκραταιιουτο], filled with wisdom and the favor [χαρις] of God was upon him. This is the fulfillment of Isaiah 11: »The Spirit of Yahweh shall rest upon the Branch of Jesse, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength [ίσχυος], the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of Yahweh« (11,2). The favor of God the Father was upon Jesus, and Jesus places this grace and mercy upon us now and always.  Amen. 

8. Let us pray. O Lord, You remembered Your steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; by this mercy let us see that all the ends of the earth have seen Your salvation, so that we are comforted that Your favor, mercy and grace is upon us too.  Amen. 

To God alone be the Glory 

Soli Deo Gloria

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All Scriptural quotations are translations done by The Rev. Peter A. Bauernfeind using the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, 4. Edition © 1990 by the Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 28. Revised Edition © 2012 by Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart. 

ELKB. Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Bayern. www.bayern-evangelisch.de/www/index.php. Copyright © 2019 Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Bayern. 

VELKD. Vereinigte Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche Deutschlands. www.velkd.de. Copyright © 2020 Vereinigte Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche Deutschlands. 

Just, Arthur A., Jr. Luke 1:1––9:50. Copyright © 1996 Concordia Publishing House.