Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 9 & 10; Hebrews 12; Amos 6; Luke 1:39-80
Luke 1:76-79 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Zachariah did not speak from the time Gabriel told him that Elizabeth would have a child until John was born. When he did speak, he gave glory to God and pronounced a blessing on John. His blessing was basically a rehearsal of what Gabriel had told him about John’s purpose of being the prophet who would go before and prepare the way of the Lord. From before his birth, Zachariah and Elizabeth knew that John had a very special and specific ministry. They raised him in an isolated place and prepared him for the day that he would begin preaching and preparing the way for Jesus. John’s birth was the fulfillment of an old prophecy by Isaiah:
Isaiah 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
The role John was to play was a herald to say, “Get ready! Here comes Jesus.” He informed people that the dayspring from on high has visited us. In other words, God became a man.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John announced that the Messiah came to give light to them that sat in darkness according the promise of God by Isaiah.
Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Jesus fulfilled this prophecy at his coming:
John 1:4-9 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John told the people to get ready for Jesus, the Good Shepherd who guides our feet into the way of peace.
Isn’t it wonderful that you can know Jesus? He is the light and those who trust in him will never walk in darkness.
In Christ,
Rody
