THURSDAY December 17, 2020
A Priest of Praise and Prophecy
Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us….”
Luke 1:67-71
Zacharias, filled with the Holy Spirit, not only praised the Lord, he also prophesied. He spoke of God’s visitation among His people—Israel. Their Messiah, the Horn of Salvation, would come through the household of David (Psalm 132:17). Zacharias praised God for his nation’s redemption, salvation and rescue from their enemies.
God’s promises had been spoken through His prophets since the beginning of the world. The Jewish people were very familiar with these ancient, promises. God in His mercy would perform the oath He swore to their father Abraham. It was the great hope of the people of Israel to be delivered from the hand of their enemies, so they could serve the Lord without fear––in holiness––all the days of their lives (Luke 1:72-75).
Now the time had come to see the prophecy’s fulfillment. John the Baptist would be used of the Lord for the sole purpose of preparing the way for the Messiah. He was to be a witness to His true Light:
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world (John 1:6-9).
At Christmas time, people decorate their homes with lights. Yet people need to come out of spiritual darkness and illuminate their hearts with the Light of Christ.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
~John 8:12~
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