Let Your Servant Depart - Luke 2:29

Luke the physician wrote how, “there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, ...”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-nine of his book Luke shared how Simeon said, “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace” where we read:

Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word:

The verse reads, “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, ...” Luke began with the word, “Lord” or “master and absolute ruler”, “now let your servant” which means “at this present time allow and permit your slave, bondman and man of servile condition” “depart in peace” or “to be dismissed, release, set at liberty and to be free in a state of tranquility, rest, quietness and calm”. Luke shared how Simeon prayed for the “Lord God” to allow him to leave this world in a state of “tranquility and calm”.

The verse goes on to say, “... according to your word:” Luke continued with the words, “according to” which means “down from, throughout and toward” “your word” or “the Lord's spoken utterance, declaration, proclamation and discourse”. Luke shared how Simeon referred to how the “Lord” shared with him that he would “depart” from this world “in peace” after he saw the promised Messiah.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Simeon had a very close relationship with the “Lord”. God promised Simeon he would not die until his eyes saw the Christ of God, and now, Simeon was seeing Him. After this fulfillment of God's promise, Simeon was ready to “leave the world” “in peace”. God loves to have a loving personal relationship with every person, and although there were many men who were living during the time of Simeon, he was the only man who received this promise. God desires to draw people to His Son Jesus who is the Christ, and He can save them from the penalty of sin. Those who are wise will seek the Lord even as “Simeon” and find God more than willing to forgive sins and provide “everlasting life” with Him “in peace”.

Next time Luke shares how Simeon says, “my eyes have seen your salvation”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".