February 2, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 2:22-32, 33-40

Daily Lectionary: Zechariah 12:1-13:9; Titus 1:1-2:6

“For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel." (Luke 2:30-32)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Simeon saw with his eyes what the ancients of Israel longed to see, and he saw with his own eyes what many have no idea they need; that is salvation itself. Salvation embodied in the tiny infant, Jesus. A light of revelation to the Gentiles, to those whom Paul says were “at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” (Eph. 2:12). But this salvation is also glory to the people of Israel whom Paul says in Romans have “fallen short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23). Simeon cradles that very salvation in Jesus and essentially says, “I can die now peacefully. No regrets. No sorrow. No fear. All in joy, faith, and hope.” Why? Because salvation is here in Jesus. To those who know not the True God, the light of Jesus reveals the Divine Grace and tender mercy of the God who remembers our sins no more, all through the wisdom of the cross. To those who know God, He is the glory of God. The crowning fullness of the mystery of our faith, God truly manifested in the tenderness of a baby. The fulfillment of prophecies and even time and history itself. It’s no wonder that we join the blessed Simeon in his song every Divine Service because we, too, in the Body and Blood of Christ, receive the light of Gospel revelation and the glory of Israel. For as the venerable Martin Luther would say in his Christian Questions with Their Answers, “Why should we remember and proclaim His death? ...Third, so we may find joy and comfort in Christ alone, and through faith in Him be saved.” (LSC 39); just like Simeon.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, by the voice of Your servant Simeon, You have taught us that joy, comfort, and salvation are of Christ alone. Cause us, by faith, to receive these promises in Your Holy Word and Sacraments, that whether we live or whether die, we may do so in Your perfect peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, ever One God, now and forever. Amen

-Rev. Matthew Synnott, associate pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Peoria, IL.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.