Letting Your Servant Depart in Peace

The juxtaposition of Luke 2.26 with Simeon's first recorded words in Luke 2.29, make it clear that Simeon had no doubt that he was holding the Messiah. Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word for my eyes have seen your salvation. What the Holy Spirit had promised had been accomplished, he had seen (and held) the Messiah.

One struggles with words to describe this scene. Luke (as his his wont) describes it so sparingly, just the facts, nothing more. Decide for yourself. Did Simeon think he was the Messiah? Do you think he was? What the whole Jewish nation had been waiting for, Simeon gets to acknowledge first. He is old. He has lived a long life. He can depart in peace, for what God has promised, he has accomplished. The Deliverer is here. Staggering.