Luke 1:57-80 ESV
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, "No; he shall be called John." And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by this name." And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
Rev. Dan Whang
Advent is a good time to draw close to God through the story of the incarnation, Jesus' coming. To take time away from all the shopping, food, and celebrations... And celebrate the coming of the Christ.
The passage speaks of Zacharia's response to the coming of Christ. Benedictus is the name given to his response. This word came after a long period of silence. The prophets had stopped. The people had only the old testament words to study and wait for the coming Savior.
Reasons to live with hope
Christ's visitation had a saving purpose
When Jesus came, it was to save. To save his people from soon and death. It was to bring redemption and deliverance. He is God's compassion and love to sinners. This should give us an enduring hope.
Christ's visitation was predicted and fulfilled
Christ came to fulfill the word of the prophets. He is the one to complete the covenant. He is a promise from God. This is not a promise from people, but God. This is a guarantee from God. This means there are things that we can build our lives on. That God will be with those who love and follow Him. That there is always grace for the day. God works for those who love him. We have hope regardless of how our lives or faith is doing. We can stand on the authority and promises of God.
Christ's visitation brought a transforming enablement.
Perhaps we are stuck by fear. That we must serve to keep people happy, to keep God happy. Or we are afraid to serve, we think we are unworthy or not good enough. But Jesus is our acceptance and worth. He brings love and grace. Jesus is the fulfillment of the whole law. Something that we sinners cannot do. He justifies us and clothes us in His righteousness. For those who serve, we fail constantly. But we are covered by His righteousness. We can serve confidently because we are covered by Christ.
Christ's visitation leaves an eternal impact
He brings light to those in darkness. Pardon for those condemned. And guidance for those walking in the shadow of death. He comes for those in shadows and doubt, He brings light. For those caught in sin, he brings life and freedom. For those lost and wandering, there is a shepherd who will guide you.
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