September 11th 2001 drew a dividing line in modern history.There were the frivolous lives we led on September 10th (Britney Spears was the top search term on Google that day), but then in one instant, as those towers fell, our lives were irreversibly changed. Now we can’t go to the airport without remembering that moment.
But that moment pales in significance to the universe-shattering moment of the birth of Jesus Christ. The incarnation of Jesus – “God With Us” – was the most powerful miracle in the history of the world. So why didn’t anyone appreciate it at the time?
When the wise men came to Jerusalem and announced the birth of the King of the Jews in Bethlehem, nobody could be bothered to go there and see for themselves. Bethlehem was only six miles away! But King Herod wasn’t going. None of the priests or scribes could fit it into their schedule. Out of the thousands of people in Jerusalem who followed God, none of them could spare a couple hours to go see the mind-blowing things he was doing.
There was only one man in all of Jerusalem who understood the significance of what was taking place. His name was Simeon, and he was at the temple when Mary and Joseph brought their baby to be dedicated. When he saw Jesus, he immediately ran over to him. Luke says this:
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.” (Luke 2:28-32).
Simeon recognized the child at first sight. He didn’t need a message from the angels (like the shepherds) or a star in the sky (like the wise men). The Holy Spirit was so active in his life that he simply knew the Messiah as soon as he saw him. And he was so overwhelmed that he broke out in song.
In the original Greek, word order has a tremendous impact on the emphasis of the verse, and the very first word in Simeon’s song is the Greek word “nun.” That’s where we get the word, “now.” With that single word, Simeon was marking a big dividing line. “Nun” – “now” – was a decisive turning point in Simeon’s life and in the history of the world.
September 11th was the turning point that marked a time of peace giving way to an era of insecurity and war. But Simeon experienced the exact opposite. A time of conflict, mourning and uncertainty was giving way to an era of unparalleled peace. Not world peace like hippies sing about, but spiritual peace.
Here’s how Paul talked about the peace brought by Jesus:
Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)
Before, we were God’s enemies. But Jesus’s perfect life and atoning death brought peace, so now we’re God’s allies. We’re his friends. Even his brothers (Hebrews 2:17). Praise God for that dividing line in history!