Dear Explorer,
Yesterday we looked at Zechariah's song of praise, but I want us to look more closely today.
Re-Read Luke 1:68-75
The first phrase of Luke 1:68 gives God praise for two things. What are they?
1) Zechariah was praising God that He has come to His people. This promise that God would send a Savior or Messiah was first made to Abraham. We can, however, see foreshadowing of it as early as Genesis 3. Zechariah believed that God was finally coming to earth as He promised.
2) Zechariah was praising God that when He came, He would redeem the Jews.
What does it mean to redeem something?
Now-a-days you probably think of redeeming a coupon, but that doesn't give you the full meaning. At this time, it was a very familiar word to the people because this was a time of slavery. In fact, you could be sold into slavery for not being able to pay your bills. So, there were a LOT of slaves! To redeem a slave meant to pay his/her fee or redemption price.
Since the Jews at this time were currently ruled by the Romans, they thought that the Messiah would “redeem” them (set them free) from Roman rule. Zechariah talks about being freed from their enemies and about the nation being restored and there being peace.
But actually, Jesus came to redeem us from the penalty or price of sin. We'll talk more about that later.
Re-Read Luke 1:76-79
Then Zechariah focuses on his newborn son, John the Baptizer. What did he say that John the Baptizer's role would be?
John the Baptizer was born into the Jewish priesthood. God had revealed to Zechariah that John the Baptizer would be a prophet with a special role to play and would prepare the way for the Messiah and give the people a knowledge of salvation. I think that meant that he would remind the people how much they needed a Messiah because they just kept sinning.
Zechariah here prophesied that his son, John the Baptizer, would teach the people a NEW WAY that God would forgive their sins instead of through animal sacrifices. I don't think Zechariah fully understood it and I don't expect you to at this point. But this is a prophecy that came true and we'll discuss it when it happens.
Zechariah then refers to Jesus as the Light shining in the darkness.
Remember, Jesus came to light up your life!
In His service, dale
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