Song of Salvation
Notes
Transcript
Song of Salvation
Song of Salvation
Last week we looked at the first song in the Gospel of Luke.
Remember Mary was with Elizabeth who she had just found out was pregnant.
She made the 80 mile Journey to Z and E’s home and then E. prophesied about the Lord being in Mary’s Womb.
Mary then composed a Song that Praised the Lord for his goodness.
It was Mary’s Magnificat.
Mary was Magnifying the Lord b/c of his great grace on her.
She remembered and reflected on all that the Lord had done in the History of Salvation.
And All that the Lord is doing in her life by allowing her to be a part of the story of redemption.
This week we are going to look at another Song.
A song of Salvation from Zech.
Yes, the Zech that we read about a few weeks ago who had questioned the Lord’s plan and b/c of that was made both mute and deaf through Gabriel.
Zech was mute and deaf b/c he asked for a sign to signify that what Gabriel had told him about his wife getting pregnant would be true.
He didn’t believe that this could happen b/c he was old and his wife was “well along in years”
But as we saw in the interaction between Mary and Gabriel in v. 37, Luke 1:37 “37 For nothing will be impossible with God.””
So Zech recieved his sign from Gabriel, he would not speak til the son was born.
And this is where we pick up the story this morning.
There has been a season of waiting.
A season of expectation.
A season where Z and E are excited and blessed to know that E is with Child.
They are patiently waiting for the birth of their Child.
And the time comes.
57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son.
58 Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her his great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father.
60 But his mother responded, “No. He will be called John.”
61 Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.”
62 So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called.
63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.
65 Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea.
66 All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.
Birth of John
Birth of John
The time had come, it was time for E. to give birth.
And what do we learn about the people at this time.
There was Great joy.
Her neighbors and Relatives had gathered around and they recognized the great mercy that the Lord had bestowed upon Zech and E.
God’s Mercy is going to be a theme that we see in both the birth of John and in the Song that Follows, so it makes sense to talk about mercy for just a moment.
One aspect of Mercy in the Scriptures is the act of compassion on those who are miserable.
And as we spoke about a few weeks ago, Z and E were in a state of disgrace to the world around them.
To the people around them Z and E must have been sinful.
They must have made God Angry which is why they didn’t have any children.
Children are a blessing from the Lord, and the fact that they hadn’t had any children made many around them believe that they had angered God in some way.
Just remember the response that E. had to her pregnancy.
Luke 1:25 “25 “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.””
So we see that the Lord here is moving his mission and plan forward, while also comforting and having mercy on Z and E.
The Lord’s compassion is evident in his goodness toward this family.
We also see that John’s arrival is bringing Joy to this family.
Those who gathered are rejoicing with Z and E.
This is the fulfillment of the promise about John that Gabriel made in v.58
Luke 1:14 “14 There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth.”
Luke John’s Birth (1:57–58)
Those who had shared her pain now rejoice with her. God’s mercy expresses itself in concrete, loving action
So there is rejoicing both at the birth of John and at the goodness and Mercy of the Lord toward Z and E.
B/c Z and E are faithful followers of God’s Law they do what they are commanded to do by the Lord in Gen 17.
Eight days after John’s Birth they go to have him Circumcised.
Children if you don’t know what that is, ask your parents.
But we need to know that circumcision was a distinct mark for the Jewish people.
The Lord commanded that every male who is born from the seed of Abraham be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth.
It’s been eight days since his birth and Z and E haven’t given the child a name yet.
According to history and tradition, the family and friends present believe that they are going to name the child after his Father Zechariah.
But Elizabeth responds, saying that they are going to name him John.
None of their relatives have this name.
Those around at the circumcision would be wondering Why would E say that this would be his name?
It’s a good name. John means “The Lord is Gracious”, but there is no reason for E to want to name the Child John.
Confused and seeking verification, they get Z’s attention.
Here is why most scholars believe that Z is not just mute but also deaf, they have to make motions at him to get his attention.
And Z asks for a writing tablet, it would have been a wooden tablet covered with wax so that he could right and explain what was going on.
And Z’s response causes the crowd to be amazed.
“His name is John.”
Why would the crowd be amazed?
Remember, Z couldn’t hear E’s response to the crowd.
We aren’t sure when or if this was Communicated between the 2, but they are on the same page.
The custom isn’t followed.
The child isn’t named after his father, grand father or other relative.
Instead, Z and E name this child John b/c the Lord had named him that.
Now the Lord could have chosen to give John a family name.
He could have named him Z after his father, but God chose the name John.
This demonstrates that John’s power and authority doesn’t come from his priestly heritage.
Or from some earthly realm, rather his message and mission is directed solely by God alone.
It wasn’t going to be John’s history or heritage that explained his mission, it was going to be the Lord’s hand upon him.
And this is verified by what happens after Z writes, “His name is John”.
Immediately, Z is able to speak.
And what are we told his first words were?
Were they about how much he loved E?
How Excited he was that John had arrived?
How glad he was that after 9 months of silence he could finally speak again?
No.
We are told that when he began to speak, he began with praising God.
Z’s obedience to the Lord loosens his tongue.
We knew that the discipline was only going to be temporary and it is at this moment that his silence ends.
What an amazing and astounding response.
Praising the Lord is the default position for Z whether he is being disciplined by the Lord or blessed by him, Z is going to praise him.
Z has endured 9 months of silence.
Not being able to speak and most likely not being able to hear.
And now, b/c of the Lord’s faithfulness and Z’s obedience he has been freed from that Judgement.
and Z’s response is praise to the Lord of all creation.
Z’s response is a foreshadow for the Ministry that John is going to have.
Bringing glory and praise to the Lord b/c of his grace and goodness.
We do see that the people respond in fear.
Why are they responding in Fear?
They are recognizing that God is working among them.
In fact, it’s spreading around in the region about all that has happened for Z and E.
How do they recognize that God is working?
First, this old and barren couple, past the point of child birth have now given birth to a son.
Second, The Child has been named, not from a family member, but with a name given to Z and E from an Angel of the Lord.
Third, The man who was mute for 9 months now speaks.
And he begins to praise the Lord.
Knowing all this would have caused the crowd to react with fear, awe, and reverence.
Something different is happening here.
Something strange and powerful has happened.
Wombs have been opened and tongues have been loosed.
And as the crowd has witnessed these events the question starts to arise… Luke 1:66 “66...“What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.”
And as the readers of Luke’s gospel, we are meant to ask the same thing.
What is going on with John. Now granted, most of us know the story of John the Baptist, but we should still be in awe of what God has done.
Not it’s interesting that they ask what will this child become rather than who will this child become.
This goes to show us, that we should be more interested in John’s mission than we are in John as a person.
John is important b/c of what he was called, chosen, and equipped to do not b/c of who he was.
John’s role was more important than John’s history.
His role in preparing the way of the Lord was his life’s work and mission and even at his birth and naming we should feel and be aware of that.
In addition, we read that God’s hand was with him.
Most often when the phrase God’s hand is used it is used in conjunction with God’s Deliverance.
So again we are meant to expect something great to happen.
The power and hand of the Lord is going to do a mighty work in this child that was born, especially considering the events surrounding his conception and birth.
The Lord is doing a mighty work in bringing forth his plan of Salvation.
Now we are going to examine Z’s song that he sings.
Z’s hymn can be broadly split into 2 sections.
V.68-75 there is a focus on God’s action in history that has lead up to this moment.
v.76-79 Zech is going to talk about the Key players in the story, John and Jesus
67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and provided redemption for his people.
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,
70 just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets in ancient times;
71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of those who hate us.
72 He has dealt mercifully with our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant—
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the privilege,
74 since we have been rescued from the hand of our enemies, to serve him without fear
75 in holiness and righteousness in his presence all our days.
Song of Salvation
Song of Salvation
We first learn that Z is filled with the HS before he begins to prophesy.
This action parallels John being filled w/ the HS while still in the womb and E being filled with the HS when Mary comes to visit.
So we see here that this family is one that is influenced and directed by the Lord.
And here Z is standing as a mouth piece of the Lord.
In this opening section of the Hymn or song that Zech has for us we will see that Zech looks back on the faithfulness of God in his story of redemption.
This is similar to how Mary’s song went earlier in Chapter one.
Again we can’t forget to look back on what God has done in history.
It is through his actions and kept promises that we get a fuller glimpse of who God is.
Z’s song is usually called the Benedictus.
This is b/c the Latin translation of the first word is Benedictus.
Or our English word Blessed.
Which is interesting to note, that Zech starts with the phrase, Blessed be the Lord.
Knowing Zech’s history as a priest we should expect that he is recalling texts like
13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and amen.
or
18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonders.
So what does it mean to say blessed be the Lord?
Are we adding to who God is?
No, it simply means that Zech is giving the Lord the praise and honor due him.
He is praising God.
And why is he praising him?
B/c he has visited his people and provided them redemption.
So the Lord is doing a mighty work in his people the work of redemption and salvation and therefore Zech wants to praise him.
What this doesn’t mean is that God is only worthy of our praise b/c of his works.
God is worthy of our worship and praise simply b/c of who he is, but we get to see glimpses of his mission and therefore we are driven to worship all the more.
The journey that Z is going to take us on in the next several verses is a journey of theology.
Now most of you have heard me say before that theology is important.
And you may not think that it is.
You may say that Theology is for those who are ministers.
Those who go to seminary.
Those who have the time, energy, and get paid to study the Bible.
But I want you to know that theology is for all people.
And you do theology whether you do it intentionally or not.
Everyone is a theologian.
B/c theology is simply what you think when you think about God.
The study and understanding of who God is theology.
There are different types or categories of theology, but the one Zech is going to take us on this morning is called biblical theology.
Where he is tracing God’s actions through the scriptures he has revealed.
Zech will talk about the house of David, the mouth of the prophets, and the promise to Abraham.
So let’s take a look at that for a moment.
The first thing Z talks about is the horn of salvation in the house of David.
In 2 Sam 7, God makes a promise to David that he will have a descendant that will reign forever on David’s Throne.
This descendant will be the eternal ruler of God’s people.
This is why it is important that Jesus come from the Line of David.
That his ancestors are tied back to David as proof of the fulfillment of God’s Promise.
Though we aren’t into the Bible’s Genealogies and if we are honest they can at times bore us or we just skip over them, these genealogies provide direct connections to and a line that can be traced to ancestors.
These are important for a people who’s structure, promises, and expectations are build around certain figures from their past.
Knowing who belongs to which tribe and people is no small thing for the Israelites.
So in a few weeks when we get to the Genealogy of Jesus, we have to recognize that it is an important feature of Luke’s Gospel.
That’s good to know, but what is Z talking about when he mentions a horn of salvation.
One of the things I want us to notice b4 I talk about the horn is that Salvation is mentioned 3 times in this short hymn.
Meaning that for Z and the Jewish people salvation is an important theme for their promised Messiah.
Now, most of them wouldn’t have known what this salvation would have looked like.
They would have expected their Salvation to be freedom from their oppressors.
They would have expected that the reigning on David’s Throne would have been an actual time that Israel would be it’s own independent nation ruled over by their Savior or Messiah.
And rest assured there will be a time when Jesus will come to rule over his people, but his first coming wasn’t for that.
Rather his first coming was to pave the way of salvation for the souls of people.
Our greatest need of saving is not to overcome the governments.
Our greatest need of salvation is the conquering of sin and death.
And that’s Jesus’ first mission.
To live a perfect life, to die a sinner’s death, and to overcome the grave through the resurrection of the dead.
This is something that we can tend to loose sight of too.
Our need of salvation is in the very reality that we are enemies of God.
That we have all sinned and fallen short of his glory.
We are all under the wrath of God and we need salvation from the punishment of our own sin.
We need a savior that took our place and bore the wrath of God.
We need a savior that conquered the grave and defeated death.
And we have that savior in Jesus Christ.
But in order to receive that salvation we have to recognize him as both Lord and savior.
We have to submit to his calling and authority.
We have to believe that he is the promised messiah who was raised from the dead.
And if we do that, then we have salvation.
What does that have to do with the Horn of Salvation?
Why a horn?
Horn’s represent strength.
Like the Horns of an animal that.
The horns of an ox are used to protect and defend.
Horns can also be used to go on the offensive.
And the Messiah is going to carry a similar strength to protect and defend his people.
So the Messiah is meant to be seen as a picture of strength.
Both in protecting and in fighting for his people.
The Savior is not a passive teacher of good will, but a mighty warrior of God.
Going out to save his people by conquering the enemy.
The Lord’s Horn of salvation is the Messiah that he has sent to conquer the enemies of his people.
Zech then reminds us that it is through God’s own words that these promises were made.
70 just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets in ancient times;
It was through God’s mouthpieces that these promises were made.
Through Moses, Daniel, Isaiah and other prophets God has spoken about the salvation he is going to provide.
The Coming of the savior isn’t a one off.
It isn’t God just figuring things out.
No, from ancient times, and even before the foundation of the world, Jesus was always the plan of redemption.
The plan of salvation.
And so we see here that God is fulfilling the promises that he has made.
That we can trust that his word will come to pass, even if we think he’s taking too long.
Or he’s not moving on our time table.
This promise is coming from the promise keeping creator of the universe.
And what’s beautiful in this hymn is that Z is tying God’s promises to both David and Abraham.
We read that God has remembered his covenant with Abraham.
Does that mean that God forgot and just now remembered?
No, it’s human language meaning that God has kept his promise.
What Promise did God make Abraham.
Well, in Gen 12:1-3, God promised Abraham that he would have descendants, that he would have land, and and he would be a blessing to all people.
And Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise.
It is through Jesus that the truest of blessings has come, that is salvation and redemption.
Available for all who will believe.
So in these few short verses we read that God is fulfilling two of his promised Covenants.
A savior from the line of David and a Blessing through the seed of Abraham.
So again we can take God at his word, b/c he keeps his promises.
So we can look forward to the day when we are resurrected and reunited with our savior.
That’s a promise he has made.
We can look forward to the day when heaven and earth are recreated and there is no more tears, no more pain, no more death.
We can look forward to the day that evil is finally put to rest and we will live in the glorious light of our savior.
We can hope in those truths b/c we can trust the God who promised them.
To take it a step further, Z tells us that b/c God has delivered us from our enemies, we have been rescued from them then we get to serve the Lord w/o fear in holiness and righteousness all our days. v74-75
Now though our enemies are sin and death, we also have to know that especially for the first readers of Luke’s gospel, there were actual enemies at work.
There are those who oppose the message of the Gospel.
There are those who oppose the work of the Lord.
We also know that we will face enemies too.
Luke uses Z hymn as an introduction to the rest of his gospel.
We will see as we traverse this magnificent work, that Jesus and his disciples will face enemies.
John will face enemies.
But we will also see that b/c of the promises of God, and the calling of his people, we can press forward knowing that God will redeem and protect his people.
Even if ultimately that means that we will face our own death for the sake of the gospel.
We can endure and serve him w/o fear b/c he has promised us salvation and redemption.
We can serve without fear, knowing that the worst thing that can happen is that we die and get to be with the Lord.
Now this can only truly be done if we fully and truly trust the words of God.
If we truly believe that he is the author of our salvation.
That doesn’t mean that it won’t be difficult, but it does mean that in the face of difficulty we chose to focus on the promises of our creator and not the circumstances we face.
The early disciples of Jesus knew that following him would actually cost them something.
I believe this is something that the church today could really benefit from.
We have become complacent and comfortable believing that God wouldn’t allow us to die on his behalf.
But Even Jesus said that many will lay down their lives for him.
Even Jesus’ own cousin, John the Baptist, the child celebrated here by his father would eventually died b/c of what he believed.
I want to challenge you to step out in faith.
Proclaim the gospel and tell others about the beauty of Christ regardless of the repercussions.
Trusting and believing that you can serve him without fear.
After reflecting on the Goodness of God in the story of Salvation, Zech makes a shift and thanks God for the personal blessing and calling of the son he has been given.
76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us
79 to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Prophet’s Purpose
Prophet’s Purpose
As thankful as Z is for having a child.
I love that he is more focused on the role of John rather than the person of John.
Zech knows that John’s calling is greater than he could have ever expected.
Why is Z more focused on John’s role than on his cute nose and chubby cheeks?
B/c Z has a more robust view of God’s plan and promise.
I’m not saying that Z didn’t love John’s toes, nose and chubby cheeks, but Z’s purpose as John’s father was to help prepare him for his mission.
Z will never forget the moment he had in the tabernacle with Gabriel.
He will never forget the calling and mission that was prophesied of John’s life.
And here Z marvels at the fact that his son gets to play a part in the grand story of redemption.
So what is John’s purpose.
First, we read that he is going to be a Prophet of the Most High.
Meaning that John is going to speak the words of the Lord to those who will listen.
God is going to use John to speak his words.
Let’s not forget, that up til this point there hasn’t been a Prophet from God in 400 years.
John’s calling as a prophet is a revelation that God is continuing his work.
Zech must be elated that this is happening.
Remember the words spoken by Z are given by the HS that he has been filled with.
Therefore, this declaration of John’s calling is revelation from God himself.
And this child that Z is holding in his arms is going to be the next messenger of the Lord.
Could you imagine the excitement that Zech is feeling at this moment.
His silence is broken b/c he trusted the Lord.
And now the Lord’s silence is going to be broken b/c of the child he holds in his hands.
So what message is John going to bring?
What is this prophet going to prophesy?
He is going to prepare the way of the Lord.
And by preparing the way, he is going to give people the knowledge of salvation.
Meaning that John is going to preach, teach, and prophesy about the promised Messiah.
He is going to tell the people about the good news that will be found in his cousin Jesus.
He is going to help the people to recognize their need for salvation.
their need for forgiveness of their sins.
Why do people need to know that
This is a reality that all of us need to hear.
We need our sins to be forgiven or we will face the wrath of God.
It is only through belief in the Gospel message that our sins can be forgiven.
Through the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ.
This isn’t about ritualistic religious exercises its about trusting in the finished work of Christ.
Of course, after you believe b/c of your gratitude for his salvation you will respond by doing good works, but the gift of salvation is free.
God is again showing his mercy on his people buy offering forgiveness of sins.
And John is going to be the instrument of preparing the way and the hearts for many who will turn to Jesus as the savior and messiah.
Which is who Zech turns to next.
There is a lot of darkness in the world.
But dawn is coming.
Light is coming into the world through the person and work of Jesus.
Jesus’ light is going to break through the darkness.
He is going to shine on those who live in the shadow of death.
Now, to be sure, when the light shines people are going to respond in being drawn to the light or being repelled by the light.
But that doesn’t stop the light from shinning.
And for those of us who have been drawn to the light, we should be beacons of light to the world around us.
We should be going to the darkest corners of our neighborhoods and the world, shining the light of Christ.
There will be those drawn to his light and those repulsed by his light, but we are now the light bringers.
The light has come and we have seen it.
Now we tell others about the good news of forgiveness of sins and redemption in Jesus.
Z ends his hymn talking about the light, but Luke has closing thoughts about John before we make the shift back over to Jesus.
80 The child grew up and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
Growing Up
Growing Up
John was a baby when this song was sung over him, but before he would start prophesying he needed to grow up.
John did just that.
He grew up physically and spiritually.
When he got old enough to live on his own he lived in the wilderness until he started to prepare the way of the Lord.
This is no doubt strange behavior, but it reminds us of what Gabriel said the Z, that John was going to be different and set apart from his contemporaries.
John’s calling and mission was distinct and set apart.
So would his lifestyle be.
John’s life in the wilderness, mirrors Israel’s time in the wilderness.
Before they recieved the salvation of the Lord in the promised land they had to live in the wilderness.
Before the salvation of the Lord is preached with the forgiveness of sins, John must live in the wilderness.
This also fulfills the scripture about John as the voice crying out in the wilderness preparing the way of the Lord.
Before John could accomplish his mission he had to be prepared to rely on the Lord in all circumstances and that is what we see with him living in the wilderness and growing both physically and spiritually.
John’s birth, life, and calling was completely dependent on the Lord.
And even though there were miraculous events that surrounded John, he never took his eyes of the reality and blessing of the Lord’s Salvation.
John continually pointed people to the truth and beauty of Jesus Christ.
The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Lord, I pray that you help us to never take our eyes off of you.
That we will continue to point others toward your goodness, mercy, and grace.
Those of us who have trusted in you have become beneficiaries your salvation.
I pray that we sing that song everywhere we go.