ZECHARIAH’S PROPHECY

Reading from Luke Ch. 1 vs 67-80

How often do we give thanks to God for the specific things he does for us? Or maybe for his good intentions and particular actions towards us? I’ll assume we all at least try when we remember but it should be a habit we build. We have Zechariah who had been mute because he didn’t trust in the word that angel Gabriel brought him and now his wife in her old age had borne them a son who was already named. It was a special thing that happened and Zechariah’s mouth was opened, he blessed the lord and the Holy Spirit filled him and he prophesied. When I read what he said it’s a lot of thanks and acknowledgement of what God has done and his reasons for the things he was doing.

He begins by blessing God for redeeming his people and bringing a horn of salvation from the house of David as was spoken through the mouths of the prophets of old and all this was for us. I like that he is aware of the scriptures and having the knowledge of what his son would do and who the son that would be born to Mary would be and all this fulfilling the prophecies. Sometimes it’s difficult for us to praise God or give thanks because we don’t know about the plans of God or the things he says about his people or those that follow him. It could be as simple as us knowing that he said he will always protect and provide for us and us giving thanks for the continued provision. We unknowingly pray scripture which is powerful and we remind God of what he has said and of which we know he will always honour his word. Isn’t it cool to see it though, like how movies leave little hints of the ones to come and when you see them you’re glad to have noticed but this was greater. This was the plan for salvation actually being set in motion in real time and he was honoured and blessed God to be part of it and to have noticed or known of it.

He carries on by mentioning the purpose or reason for this salvation that would be coming to us through Christ, that it was so we would be saved from our enemies and from the hands of those who hate us. It showed God’s mercy towards us as he had promised through covenant with our forefather Abraham. I dislike the view of God that makes him seem malicious, like he lies in wait to see us fail or struggle, God is good and all he does is good and just, all his intentions towards us are good. It might be difficult sometimes but it’s always for some unknown good and we need to have trust in him. He always knows of the enemy and his plans to harm us or drive us to sin and he made a way though Jesus for us to be saved. He is always concerned for our good/wellbeing way before we even existed. He always keeps his word whether it takes hundreds of years he will fulfil things, as we see with this promise that was given to Abraham but was only fulfilled in the time of Christ.

Now another reason for this salvation and mercy was so that we could serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for all our days. We must always understand and remember that things were not how they are today, if you weren’t a priest or prophet of God, you wouldn’t hear from him or be able to be in his presence. The way to clear sin was costly because you had to purchase an animal whose blood would be shed in your place for the sins you committed. We have it good today cause imagine if we still had to use that system? Most people would not be able to make some atonement for their multiple sins committed. God understood that this was needed for our own benefit and so he gave his son Jesus to come and die so that we can have access to his presence and worship him freely. We are covered by the blood of Jesus and what he did and so we can be holy and righteous through this covering and be able to worship God in an acceptable way all our lives. See how Jesus was the solution to all the issues and God planned for it and saved all of us and gave us the opportunity to be forgiven and saved and it’s our choice if we’ll take it or not.

Zechariah then speaks specifically about his son John and how he’d be called a prophet of the most high God and would go and prepare the way for the lord, and give people knowledge of salvation in the forgiveness of their sins. All this because of the tender mercy of God allowing for those who sit in the darkness and shadow of death to be given light and for the feet of the people to be guided into the way of peace. Imagine being a parent in your old age and God also adds on this by giving you a son who would help his mission. Zechariah was a priest and he knew the importance of these things and I believe he was honoured to be the father of a child who would literally have the spirit of Elijah and help guide people to the way of Christ and salvation. It is always an honour to be used by God for any nature of his plans, small or big.

There’s always a preparation process when it comes to God and he blessed Zechariah by giving him John who would prepare the way for Jesus who would change the whole world. God is always working something out but even along the way to that there’s good along the way and thanks and acknowledgements should be given to him. It wasn’t Zechariah who would do these things but he was able to give thanks for he could raise the child well because he understood the bigger picture and we should be the same. John grew and became strong in spirit and I believe the way Zechariah and Elizabeth raised him played a part. He stayed in the wilderness till he made his appearance in Israel later and begun his ministry. Such a beautiful story of how God is in the day to day unfolding of the greater plan, he is with us and we need to know he is always working something out for our good and that of others with everything that occurs. Even when bad happens he will turn it around for our good because that’s who he is, he is good all the time. I hope we can learn to read scripture and see it and Gods work in our lives and acknowledge, thank and honour him for it all. He has good plans for you whether big or simple and always know you are loved by God!