Sing the Savior's Birth: Sing with Zechariah

Text: Luke 1:68-75 “68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.”

Tonight we begin to sing our savior’s birth. We sing with Zechariah.

As you were reminded in our reading a moment ago, Zechariah is the father of John the Baptizer. The story of John’s birth is surprisingly similar to the story of Jesus’ birth. Both were physically impossible; both were announced by an angel; and both were accompanied by songs. Mary’s song— which we’ll consider next week— we refer to as the 'Magnificat.' This song of Zechariah we call the 'Benedictus.'

In the order of service that we’re using tonight— Evening Prayer— we’ll sing Mary’s song, the Magnificat— but in the morning version— Morning Prayer— Zechariah’s song, the Benedictus, is sung. “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel. He has come to His people and redeemed them. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of His servant David. Through His holy prophets He promised of old that He would save us from our enemies, from the hands of those who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant. This was the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hand of our enemies— free to worship Him without fear, holy and righteous in His sight, all the days of our lives” (“Benedictus” from Morning Prayer. Lutheran Service Book p. 238ff).

The biggest difference between Jesus’ birth and John’s birth is the reaction of Zechariah compared to the reaction of Mary. Zechariah questioned the angel (a pretty foolish move, isn’t it?) while Mary accepted the angel’s message, in spite of how impossible it seemed, humanly speaking. So Zechariah was struck dumb until John’s birth. He was unable to speak until John was born. And what was it that Zechariah finally said when his power of speech was restored? He sang about God’s promises. And let’s just stop right there for tonight. Let’s focus on that detail from Zechariah’s song: the promises. Because those promises are the most unique and amazing part of who God is.

Promises are not unique to Christianity. The relationship between Christians and the One True God is not the only one that involves promises of some sort. The pagans related to their false gods, too, through promises. But there is one specific detail that makes Christianity and the One True God unique: the identity of the one who is making the promises.

The pagans and the followers of other religions— all the way to today— make plenty of promises to their false gods. They promise gifts; they promise sacrifices; they promise all sorts of favors if their false god will bless them or protect them or help them in some way. They are no strangers to promises.

And let’s be honest: that makes a lot of sense. If anyone should be making promises, it should be you and me. And you do, don’t you? I would wager that everyone has had a moment when they’ve promised God something

But the problem is that He doesn’t need anything from you. What could you possibly offer Him in exchange for whatever you needed? What could you give on behalf of someone you love? Even if you sell everything you have and give it away, it all came from God to start with. How would that gain you anything with God? If you promise to devote your life to helping people, isn’t that just what the 10 commandments demand: love your neighbor as yourself? There is nothing you can offer, nothing you can promise God.

And that doesn’t even approach the idea of God making promises to you. What does God owe you? What promises do you deserve to hear from Him? Those lines go by and you hardly notice, because you’re so used to them— use to the idea. But really consider the power of those words.

“Through His holy prophets He promised of old that He would save you from your enemies, from the hands of those who hate you. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant… the oath He swore to your father Abraham to set you free from the hand of your enemies— free to worship Him without fear, holy and righteous in His sight, all the days of your life.”

That is what opened Zechariah’s mouth in praise that day. He correctly saw all of God’s promises coming into the world in the One whom his son, John, was being called to prepare the way for. The One, True God who owed mankind nothing had, in fact, promised them everything— light to those in darkness, life to those in the shadow of death, to guide their feet into the way of peace.

For thousands of years it had been just that and nothing more: a promise. And even though the One who made the promise was faithful and true, God’s people had to wait. Generation after generation were born, grew up, and died under that promise. One prophet after another had been raised up to assure the people that the Promise was still in effect. God had not forgotten. He was still faithful to His promise. And, for each of those generations, that promise was enough. But now, finally, those promises were all about to come true. Zechariah’s son would have the privilege of pointing to the Promised One, Himself.

The promises were coming true in the Promised one. The virgin would conceive and bear a son and would call his name Immanuel (Is. 7:14). He would become “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8). He would be despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, but he would bear your griefs and carry your sorrows. He would be pierced for your transgressions and crushed for your iniquities. Upon Him would be the chastisement that brought His people peace, and with his wounds they would be healed (Is. 53:3-5). He fulfilled every promise spoken through the prophets, from Adam to John the Baptist. Every promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He has now come to His people and redeemed them.

The beauty of the song is that it’s yours, too. He wraps those promises up and gives them to you here. He wrote your name on all of them and extended that promise to you when you came to the waters of baptism. Through that water you were delivered from your enemies— from the devil, the world, and your sinful flesh— free to worship Him without fear, holy and righteous in His sight, all the days of your life. They have no power over you any longer. Even death, itself, will be destroyed for you on the Last Day as the former things pass away. All of those promises are now yours in Jesus Christ.

You, sons and daughters of God, shall be called a royal priesthood, a chosen race, a holy nation, that you may declare his praises and share the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of sins; to proclaim that, in the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, will shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and will guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:76-79).

There is absolutely no reason why God should be the one making the promises. But we rejoice that He is. And that He has. And that they are all fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Tonight we begin to sing of our Savior’s birth. We sing with Zechariah.