The Luke Project Vol 1- The Gospel in SongParaugs

Zacharias's Prophecy 1:67-80

Yesterday we ended with the people asking “What then will this child turn out to be?” Zacharias, filled with the Holy Spirit, answers fully in this prophecy and praise to God. The plan for his son, John, becomes crystal clear. These are some of Zacharias’s first words after being mute for months.

1. Praising God

Zacharias begins by praising the Lord for visiting them and accomplishing salvation. Did you catch that? Zacharias already believes God has accomplished salvation for us! He has a much different tune than when Gabriel visited. Instead of doubting, he is proclaiming salvation has happened! 

2. God’s promises being fulfilled

This must have been a truly exciting time for Zacharias. All of God’s promises of old were being fulfilled before his eyes! God was raising up a horn of salvation, that is Jesus, who would come from the house of David, His servant. This fulfills God’s promise to David to establish his throne forever (2 Sam. 7:16). God was also fulfilling His promise to Abraham, that many people would be blessed through his seed (Genesis 22:16-18.) Jesus would be a descendant of Abraham and would be the one to bring the blessing, salvation!

3. God’s plan for John the Baptist

Toward the end of the prophecy, Zacharias clues us in to his son’s role on this earth. He proclaims John will be a prophet of the Most High God and will go before the Messiah to prepare His way. This fulfills the prophecy in Malachi 3:1. He would tell the people there is salvation available by the forgiveness of our sins. This salvation will come from the Sunrise, that is Jesus, and will shine upon all those who are lost in the darkness. Jesus will guide us into the way of peace. Oh, how we need His way of peace today! Praise God that we can have it when we ask! 

4. God’s plan for us

The entire prophecy is laced with God’s plan for us. He wants to bring us redemption. We have all sinned and cannot stand before God because of that sin. God wanted to make a way for us to be with Him. And He did make a way; that way is Jesus! He wants to guide us out of the darkness of our sin that is killing us, and into His way of peace. God wants to rescue us from the hand of our enemies so that we may serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness. So the plan is this: to guide us out of sin, to redeem us, and make us useful to serve Him in His kingdom! What a wonderful plan! Let’s pray for forgiveness, thank Him for redeeming us,  and ask that God would make us useful in His kingdom.