Posts
by Samuel E. Ward
Introduction
Luke 1:67-79 (NIV) 67 Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. 69He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—72to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 8because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."
Let us examine the hope that permeates this prophecy with features that apply first to Israel and then to all mankind.
I. Praise for the Arrival of the Redeemer, Luke 1:67-76
A Message to Oppressed Israel (political hope)
A. To Redeem His People, Luke 24:21
Luke 24:21 (NIV) 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. (the two on the Emmaus Road)
B. To Be a Horn of Salvation, Psa 132:17
Psalms 132:17 (NIV) 17"Here I will make a horn£ grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one.
C. To Bring Salvation from Our Enemies, Psa 110:1-2
Psalms 110:1-2 (NIV) 1The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." 2The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies.
D. To Show Mercy to Israel, Mal 4:6
Malachi 4:5-6 (NIV) 5"See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. 6He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."
E. To Remember His Holy Covenant, Gen 22:16-18
Genesis 22:16-18 (NIV) 16and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
F. To Establish A Peaceful Setting for Service to God, Mal 3:3
Malachi 3:3-4 (NIV) 3He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.
II. Preparation for the Arrival of the Redeemer, Luke 1:77-79
A Message to Oppressed Humanity (spiritual hope)
A. To Make Ready for the Redeemer's Offer of Salvation, Luke 19:9-10
Luke 19:9-10 (NIV) 9Jesus said to [Zacchaeus], "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
B. To Make Ready for the Redeemer's Offer of Forgiveness, Luke 24:46-47
Luke 24:46-47 (NIV) 46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
1. The Redeemer will come from heaven, John 6:36-40
John 6:36-40 (NIV) 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
2. The Redeemer will dispel the darkness of death, John 1:4-5, 9
John 1:4-5 (NIV) 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it . . . 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
3. The Redeemer will guide our feet into the path of peace, John 14:27
John 14:27 (NIV) 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
