“God Proclaims His Plan” Luke 1:67-79

The birth of a child is almost always a special moment. To see the new life, hold it carefully and see the promise and potential, is a time that stays with someone almost a lifetime.

That’s particularly true for a mother and father who had all but given up on the possibility. What an incredible gift such a child must be.

With Elizabeth and Zechariah, the birth of their son was not just a new life entering the world, nor was he child who came to them late in life again all hope.

The birth of John was the confirmation of all God had promised and was the beginning of God’s greatest gift to all humanity.

Background

For over 400 years, the people of Israel had yearned to hear God’s voice once again. Since Malachi, there had been no prophets to speak God’s truth to the people. Similar to the days of slavery in Egypt, there was always hope, though sometimes that hope must have seemed very distant at times.

When God sent Gabriel to speak to Zechariah, God began the process to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. The hopes and dreams of Israel were about to be realized, but in ways they never dreamed of. With Gabriel’s message to Mary, there was no doubt that God was about to enter our world in a very real and miraculous way.

For nine months, Zechariah had been unable to speak. It’s highly probable that he and Elizabeth communicated through notes and things. Remember, Zechariah was probably able to hear, though the Hebrew word translated as “mute” may also have included deafness as well. Still, as an educated man, Zechariah could read and write. Surely, Elizabeth was keenly aware of what had happened to Zechariah in the Temple as he did his priestly duties.

The day for John’s birth arrives, and there is great rejoicing. Custom was to circumcise the boy eight days later, and at that time, he would be officially named. As joyous friends and relatives gathered at the place for the circumcision, they awaited to hear the name of this miracle child. If it was like most other births, there were probably no end of suggestions given to Elizabeth.

When asked if the boy would be named after his father, Elizabeth was very firm in her answer. “He is to be called John.”

The group gathered around her couldn’t believe it. There were no Johns in the family. Surely, she was mistaken. So they turned to Zechariah. He would know the final answer and he wouldn’t move outside tradition.

Notice Zechariah’s answer. He tells them, “His name is John.” Zechariah’s response was not that the child would be named John. For Zechariah, it was already a settled matter. It was settled the moment Gabriel told Zechariah that the baby would be named John. As far as Zechariah was concerned, that had been the baby’s name since before conception.

And then the miracle ramped up a spot. As soon as Zechariah wrote the note, he regained his ability to speak. I wonder if vs.65-67 would have been better placed at the end of v. 79. It’s probable that the wonder and awe that filled the people came as a result of Zechariah’s blessing.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Zechariah’s first words in nine months were ones of praise and prophecy.

Central Truth: God proclaimed the coming of His presence with us to bring us freedom and salvation.

Zechariah proclaims God’s glory

The Bible is very clear that Zechariah’s words were a prophetic statement inspired by the Holy Spirit. He uses this time to tell what God has done and is about to do, as well as John’s purpose in God’s plan. He opens with praise to God.

Zechariah praises God for five things He has done and is doing.

First, God has come to redeem His people. The idea of redemption is to provide a substitution of great value in exchange for something that otherwise could not be bought. Recall redemption centers for green stamps. In lieu of cash, stamps were offered to the goods at the redemption store. God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, has paid the price for our salvation. He has accordingly redeemed us from Satan’s grasp and set us free to serve Him.

Second, God has raised up a horn of salvation for us. Zechariah refers to David’s house. It is a reference to the Davidic covenant, when God promised David that he would have a descendant on the throne for eternity. Jesus fulfills this promise. The idea of the horn is of power, so the salvation that God brings is a powerful salvation. Through Jesus, God saves us from sin and saves us for His service.

Third, God has intervened to show mercy to us. Someone once told me mercy is not receiving what we deserve. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ (cf. Romans 6:23). By our sinfulness, we deserve God’s condemnation. Instead, God demonstrates His mercy through the salvation and redemption we receive through Jesus Christ.

Fourth, God rescues us from the hands of our enemies. In Matthew 10, Jesus says we are not to be afraid of those who can hurt the body but cannot kill the soul. In 1 John, we are told perfect love casts out all fear. Those who are our enemies can rail against us and can do what they can, but God will not allow the enemy to gain the victory over us. Our victory is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Finally, God enables us to serve Him without fear. In light of all the other things that have come before—redemption, salvation, mercy and rescue from our enemies—we find ourselves in the presence of God Himself through the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within us each day. Our enemies may roar and threaten, but we have the victory in Christ. Because God has delivered us, we are free to serve Him, doing His will and following His leadership. We follow God not because we have to, but because we get to. We know His way is the true way, the only way, and we know He leads us to victory in Christ Jesus.

Zechariah proclaims John’s role

Turning to his son, Zechariah now is inspired to speak words directed to the new child that has blessed Elizabeth and the priest in their old age.

Zechariah tells his son that he will be called a prophet. He will be the voice of God speaking to a people in darkness. He will speak to them not of judgment (though that will be part of his message), but of salvation, of hope, of freedom. He will point them toward the One who brings this salvation, the Lamb of God, Immanuel.

John’s special ministry is to proclaim the coming of Jesus. John has the privilege and the responsibility to point others to Christ, just as, 2000 years later, we are also called to point others to Christ. The fact that John was speaking God’s word in a world hungry for a savior was the declaration that God had intervened in our world in a very real and personal way. God gives us His Son, born in humble surroundings and bringing light into our darkness.

John’s message will be so powerful because of what God is doing. God is bringing light into our world. He is bringing clarity to our vision, awareness of that which we did not and could not know apart from Christ. He brings with us the illumination of God’s divine and direct revelation as shown in His Son, Jesus Christ.

The result is that those who embrace His Son will receive God’s peace, a peace that passes understanding and ushers us into the presence of God as children of God.

This is the meaning of Christmas, and this is the message of the child born to Zechariah and Elizabeth. This new prophet will tell others to get ready for the coming Son, and to follow Him.

Conclusion

Just as God prepared John to share the good news, to speak of salvation through Jesus, so does He know call us and prepare us to also share that same good news. Just as John was filled with the Holy Spirit, so are we filled with that same Spirit, and we are called to tell the Good News that Jesus is the light of the world and that He is the Savior for those who are lost, those who are weary, those who are searching.

Hear the call of Christmas—hear the call and the promise of God through His Son, Jesus Christ.