Luke 1:67-80

Luke 1:74-79
74 since we have been rescued
from our enemies’ clutches,
to serve Him without fear
75 in holiness and righteousness
in His presence all our days.
76 And child, you will be called
a prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare His ways,
77 to give His people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion,
the Dawn from on high will visit us
79 to shine on those who live in darkness
and the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace. (full text here)


God must have seemed silent. Oppressed by a Roman occupation, in the midst of a culture growing more and more Hellenistic, as every Sabbath ancient scriptures were read that promised a hope and a future, many must have pondered how long it could be before God would act. Most thought a military answer would save them - a Messiah strong and mighty to save. Surely they would be saved to rule themselves, miraculously overthrowing the Romans and reestablishing the house of David.

But when the Holy Spirit rests on Zechariah, he prophesies about a much different scenario. Yes salvation was coming, but it would free God's people to serve the Lord. Rather than free to make military and financial gains, they were free to live in righteousness and holiness. The covenant of Abraham was not to overthrow enemies, but that through his descendant, Jesus, the world would be saved from the shackles of sin.

No prophet had been recorded for 400 years, but John was sent as a prophet of the most high God. He prepared the way for the Christ by brazenly calling people out for their sins and showing them tangible ways to repent. God's compassion wasn't about a comfortable life, it was about shining a light to lead us away from the path of sin that winds through the shadow of death. It was about peace, not prosperity. And today that same peace is available to us through God's merciful compassion! God may not act in the way we expect or desire, but he will always amaze us with his faithfulness and compassion when we walk his path.

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.  - Isaiah 9:2

Luke 1:57-66

Luke 1:63-64 - He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.  (full text here)


Crowds always line up to see a new baby. In the days before mass entertainment, this may have been even more true. The community that had once whispered about what Zechariah and Elizabeth had done to merit God's disfavor now marvelled that a son had been mercifully born in their old age. After so many decades, the couple had an heir. Surely the firstborn and likely only child would be named after his father. But having many months to silently contemplate the words of the angel Gabriel, Zechariah instantly corrected his neighbors and family in obedience to the words spoken to him in the holy place of the temple.

Circumcision on the eighth day was a celebratory and holy affair - the sign of God's covenant with his people. The son had survived long enough to earn an official name and in a way his personhood. The age of the parents, the story of the angel, and even the naming of the child had tongues wagging all over the hill country. If God could move so strongly in the birth of this miracle child, surely great things were planned for his life.

The Hebrew name for John, Yôḥanan, means "Graced by Yahweh". John was graced not to serve as a priest like his father, but to survive in the wilderness bringing many to repentance and preparing the way for Jesus. Surely he grew up hearing that God had a great plan for his life. Surely his righteous parents steadfastly taught him the ways of God. And when the time came for him to fulfill his purpose he did so, even to death by beheading.

The gospel begins with ordinary people choosing to live lives of obedience to the father. What must happen before we are willing to believe and become what he would have us be? Need he strike us deaf and dumb for nine months like Zechariah or send us into nine months of seclusion like Elizabeth for us to take time to contemplate his will for our lives? Or can we find ways to unplug from our lives and plug in to God moving in the world around us? When God allows us to open our lips today, let our tongues be set free in praise of him!

In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.
 - Colossians 2:11-12

Luke 1:1-25

Luke 1:1-4 - Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed. (full text here)


Occasionally there will be a buzz in the news about a "new gospel" found. Or perhaps the History Channel will run a special series on "the forbidden gospels". Books such as the Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Phillip, and the Gospel of Judas make great plots for stories such as The Da Vinci Code, but they contradict each other as well as the canonical gospels and early church history. Pop culture references make these "gospels" seem to be equally on par with the book of Luke, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Some scholarly research would reveal that the gospel of Luke stands the test of time in historical accuracy when checked with other documents of the time period as well as being accepted by early believers and eyewitnesses who knew the true stories. Luke gives us an orderly account the life and ministry of Jesus, giving certainty to believers of the truth of the gospel. He has no need to innovate and sensationalize the story. He simply reports the facts. His sources are eyewitnesses and "servants of the word" who preserved the oral tradition of the apostles.

The passage continues with the story of John the Baptizer's conception. There was a couple, Zechariah and Elizabeth, who were upright and blameless in the eyes of God. Both were from the tribe of Levi - the tribe responsible for priestly duties. Despite their devotion to God they remained childless - seen in their time period as divine punishment. Five times a year Zechariah would have left home for the temple. During the three major Jewish festivals, all priestly divisions were on duty to serve the multitudes of pilgrims. Two other weeks a year he would also come to Jerusalem to help with the daily temple sacrifices and rituals.

In the days of King Herod, a crazy ruler but amazing architect, Zechariah was ministering in the temple. He was chosen by lot to enter into the Holy Place and burn incense to the Lord in front of the veil to the Holy of Holies, a once in a lifetime opportunity. As priests and worshippers joined Zechariah in prayer from outside the building, the angel Gabriel suddenly appeared and announced to Zechariah that he and Elizabeth would have a son. Many would rejoice because of his birth, and he would call many to repentance. He was to be filled with the Holy Spirit and set apart in a similar manner to a Nazarite - a special commitment to the Lord. His mission would be to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Zechariah was overwhelmed and could not believe what he heard, despite the fact that he was talking to an angel. As a consequence he was struck dumb until the baby would be born. When Zechariah finally appeared to the waiting crowd, he could only make signs to indicate that he had seen a vision from the Lord. Despite his dumbness, he completed his week of service. His wife Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months, secure in the knowledge that God had performed a miracle and removed her disgrace.

We often look at people like Zechariah in the Bible and shake our heads, wondering how they can be so daft. After all, an angel of the Lord would surely be convincing! But we often equally doubt truths spoken into our own lives. We ignore Scriptures that seem too difficult to follow. We close our ears to the calling of the Holy Spirit when He leads us toward paths that seem difficult. We doubt the goodness of God in the midst of the storms of life. We choose to follow pop culture rather than the truths of God.

God’s promises to us are no less binding than his promise of a son for Zechariah. He promises that we can participate in His divine nature, escaping the corruption of the world and our evil desires (2 Peter 1:4). He promises to supply all our needs through His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). He promises us perfect peace beyond anything the world can give (John 14:27). He promises us rest when we labor for Him (Matthew 11:28-29). He promises that He has a plan for our lives, one of a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). But so many days we stumble through life, failing to live in the power of these guarantees. If God struck us dumb each time we disbelieved his promises, what a quiet bunch we would be!

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for the one who made the promise is faithful.

- Hebrews 10:23