Benedictus

Intro: On this Christmas Eve, we gather having been waiting with anticipation the Christmas Day, in which our hearts. We have lit the Christ candle, the final candle which signifies that Christ the light has been brought. In a little while we, will take this light and share it with you as we sing a final hymn.

God’s people had been in darkness for over 400 years. There was no prophet since the days of exile. Silence was deafening. Yet now there began to be glimmers of hope. Glimmers of light began to peak through. Prophecies to Zechariah, Joseph, Mary, began to be spoken by angels, and now promise of light is coming.

We are going to focus on Zechariah this evening, after the events of his sons birth, John the Baptist. He was must for nine months because of his disbelief concerning the prophecy that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son. But it was all coming true. Can you imagine when he heard the news from Elizabeth that she was pregnant, that his eyes widened, but couldn’t say anything because he was mute?

The child was born, brought to the temple for circumcision and purification, and presented. His name was given by Zechariah on a tablet because that was what the angel told him to name him: John. His mouth was loosed, and in that loosing, Zechariah began to praise and to prophesy the Word of God.

CTS: The sunrise of God’s salvation has come and should draw praises from our lips.

I. The Praise of Kept Promises (68-75)

This prophesy begins with praise, and really, that praise is a major theme for the rest of the book. Because it is a summation, a benedictus, of what God has and will do.

Pay attention to the fact that Zechariah prophesies as though it has happened. Jesus hasn’t even been seen yet, but the confidence of Zechariah because of what he has just seen and experienced himself. His confidence is that God’s Word is true, and with that, filled with the Spirit, gives praise and prophesy. His confidence is rooted in God’s truthfulness and promise.

A. Davidic promise (68-71)

Lifting up the horn, a sign of power (Ps 148:14)

Psalm 148:14 ESV

14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 132:17 ESV

17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.

The power to deliver from the enemies of sin and death, to deliver from the enemy to be defeated at his second coming..

House of David, his servant

2 Samuel 7:11–13 ESV

11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

Isaiah 9:6–7 ESV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

This king is on the precipice of his coming, the long-awaited Messiah that was promised from the prophets of old is about to bring his kingdom!

Jeremiah 23:5 ESV

5 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

All of this was to save us, to save God’s people from the enemy. Some had a purely political, but the prophets knew that it was ultimately sin that brought darkness. The enemy who hates us is Satan.

B. Abrahamic promise (72-75)

And the promise goes even further back. Back to Abraham, and what’s amazing is that Zechariah is teaching us to read our Bibles well! A reminder that all of Scripture has been building up to this grand sunrise of light breaking forth into the darkness.

Genesis 22:16–18 ESV

16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

The promise of deliverance through this one offspring. He would be a blessing to the nations, he would deliver God’s people. And through his own work on the cross, he would make sinners like us holy and righteous, able to serve him.

Do you see that phrase in verse 75? This Jesus is the one whom makes us righteous, not ourselves. That would be a sticking point for many, and still is today. You are not holy and righteous, and need someone to make you so. You can’t earn holiness and salvation, only this coming King, the perfectly righteous one, can save us from our enemies, from sin and death.

Then we are servants of him.

II. The Prophecy of Coming Salvation (76-79)

A. The work of John the Baptist (76-77)

There has been no prophet for 400 years, yet here comes one more to prepare the way. He would be different, but nonetheless, have the same task to preach boldly about where salvation is found. Just like the other prophets, he would preach about sin and judgment, and to repent. Yet this time, he would see the full means of how salvation comes. He would prepare the way for the one whom he was unworthy to even untie his sandals.

But his work would be important. He would be vital to help God’s people understand that repentance from sin is central to salvation. Not political deliverance or power, but rather, the issue of sin and its devastation needed to be addressed. That is what the Messiah was to come to do.

But do you even see that John’s own father gives this prophecy about his own son, that his son is not the focus, but rather, whom his son would point to, the work of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

B. The work of Jesus Christ (78-79)

The birth of son of God, Jesus Christ, made flesh, is this final section. And that section gives us a clear picture of a sunrise that breaks through in the darkness. I love how Kent Hughes describes this section, a fulfillment of Isaiah 9:2

Isaiah 9:2 ESV

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

But then a faint change is seen in the east. The sky is no longer black but blue. Their eyes move to the west, and in the darkness forms take shape, at first metallic and dull. Then comes just a wisp of color. As their eyes switch back to the east, the cobalt blue turns to royal blue and a long line of pink rims the horizon. The sun is up! They are quickly on their feet, exchanging smiles, rubbing hands, and beginning to cheer…This is the cosmic appearance of Christ as the light of the world.” - Kent Hughes

This fulfills Malachi 4:2

Malachi 4:2 ESV

2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

Jesus is this sunrise, the light of the world.

John 8:12 ESV

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus is the gift of tender mercy of our God. He gives light in the darkness, because he takes our darkness and our death and puts it upon himself. By dying for us, rising from the dead, he lights the way of eternal life. He guides our feet into the way of peace. True peace on earth. Not political peace, but rather, peace with God.

Conclusion: May this prophecy bring great praise from our hearts, worship to the one whom brings light into the darkness. On this Christmas Eve, let us reflect on Jesus as the light of the world, who has overcome our darkness to bring us to light, to forgive us of our sins, and give us peace with God.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that men no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.

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