Peaceful Proclamations

Intro

Luke 1:67–79 NIV

67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— 72 to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Intro

Our passage this morning has been given the title of Zechariahs Song. It is a response to the birth of John the Baptist but its so much more. In order though to appreciate the heart behind his response I think its helpful to understand who Zechariah is and how he got to this point.

We dont get a lot of history but what we do have is that he is from priestly line of Abijah. We also know that his wife Elizabeth is from the priestly line of Aaron. So both Zechariah and Elizabeth are both servants of the most high God. Luke says they are both righteous in God’s eyes and that they observe all the Lord’s commands and decrees.

The other thing to know is that they are both older in years and childless. Elizabeth was not able to conceive for some reason. For them being childless was a big deal but it didnt prevent them from following God.

For Zechariah just the opposite as Luke would tell us he was chosen on a specific day to burn the incense in the temple. Chosen by lots the priest serving would go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense and while the incense was burning the people would gather outside to worship. This was a duty that one person would carry out and so he would be in the temple by himself.

Its there that we see the angel of God make his presence known. Its there that Zechariah would first hear that his wife was going to have a baby.

Luke 1:13 “13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.”

For Zechariah I am sure that with this news came a lot of emotions. Probably starting with some excitement. I can remember that first news that Julie was pregnant. Its a time of excitement and you want to tell everyone. You create all these unique ways of making the announcement. But soon that excitement turns into questions like am I ready to be a father. Can I be a good father? Will the child be healthy when born? So many things seem to flood your mind. I am sure thats the same for Zechariah too.

Especially because the angel gives him a list of things that his son may or may not do, what he will become and what he is to name him. So its not surprising that perhaps the first thing that Zechariah says is “How can I be sure of this?”, this would be the last words spoken until after the birth.

The angels response we find in:

Luke 1:19–20 “19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.””

Zechariah was just questioning something that to him sounded a little too impossible, too impossible for a human mind to accept and comprehend but for God was very possible. God has given him some time to think and ponder this news. To perhaps listen to what God was going to tell him over the course of the next few months.

Often times we have way to much things to say and dont put enough time and effort into listening. I sometimes like to say that my mom says if you dont have anything nice to say dont say anything at all. Not sure if my mom actually told me that or not but it at times has gotten me into trouble. When we are talking we are unable to hear what God has to say to us. When we are not able to hear God we miss the things He has to tell us and the instructions He needs to give us. We even miss the good things he has to tell us and even more we miss the promises he has for us.

For Zechariah God forced him to be quite for a period of time and that gave him plenty of time to listen and ponder. It filled him with the Holy Spirit so that he could be used by God.

It brings us to our passage this morning where Zechariah shares the proclamation of promises that God has made.

1. Proclamation of Promises

Luke 1:67–71

2. Promises and Purpose

Luke 1:72–75

3. Preparation and Proclamation

Luke 1:76–77

4. Peace through the Prince

Luke 1:78–79