Scripture Reading(s)
Luke 1:68-79
1:68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
1:69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David,
1:70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
1:71 that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
1:72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant,
1:73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us
1:74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear,
1:75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
1:76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
1:77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
1:78 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,
1:79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Reflections
This passage is spoken by the prophet Zechariah. These words are spoken on the account that the true Messiah was now here to save the world. This benediction speaks to the world needing a savior and the process of restoration that it was about to face through the coming of Jesus Christ.
The promise of Jesus coming meant several things.
- God delivers His people (vs 71)
- God shows mercy to those who keep His word and follow after Him (vs 71)
- God always keeps His promises (vs 73)
- Our response should be to sere and love Him with our whole heart and lives (vs 73-75)
- God becomes our source of forgiveness (vs 77)
- God’s sacrificial gift of Jesus Christ makes a way for all of the world to see the darkness of our sin (vs 79)
- His sacrifice leads us to experience His perfect peace (vs 79)
Let us response in thanksgiving for all that God has done to plan out the course of Salvation and to rescue us from our sin and give us the promise of eternal life with Him.