Today's Readings: Zechariah 2:14–17; Psalm 37; Luke 1:26–38
Read Luke 1.67-79; If you have an extra minute or two – re-read it along with the rest of chapter one to understand its context.
What a beautiful prophecy about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. Note that even though Zechariah is the father of John, the focus of his joy and praise is the coming Messiah and all that means for the people of God. In light of what we now know, we have an even greater understanding of all Zechariah was prophesying…”He has visited” (the incarnation) and “provided redemption for his people” (through the blood of Christ). He has “raised up the horn of salvation” (a mighty salvation in Jesus Christ—one to save us from the penalty and enslavement to our sin). He comes in the line of “David”, just as was promised and fulfills the “covenant he made with Abraham” that the descendants of Abraham would be more numerous than the stars in the sky and sand upon the seashore. Why? How? Because we know that all who believe in Jesus Christ will be grafted into the family of God.
And what has he given us? He has given us the “privilege to serve him.” The purpose of all redemption is that we would serve him. We can serve the Lord God freely because we have been “rescued from the hand of our enemies” (vs.74); we can serve Him without fear (vs. 74) because in Christ we are brought near, able to stand in relationship with the Lord covered by the blood of Christ. The nature of this service is in “holiness and righteousness”(vs. 75) and the duration of our service “all the days of our life” (vs. 75)
And, like John, this service to the Lord is to bring to others the good news of salvation, the forgiveness of the sins of all those who repent and trust the compassionate and perfect Messiah. To sound the note of a needed and provided salvation was the noble office of John, and is still our call today.
This season, who needs to hear this news? Do not delay; today, go tell them.
