Christmas in the Gospel of Luke: Part One
A Spirit-filled preacher is a gift from God. Light and heat proceed from the man of God, called of God, to proclaim the Word of God with logic, power, and a demonstration of the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2:4). The content of the message is truth, as it is in Jesus (Eph 4:21). God is true (Rom 3:4); and His Word is truth (Ps 119:172; Jn 14:6; 17:17). He has spoken through the prophets (Heb 1:2).
Zacharias, the husband of Elizabeth, who served Yahweh in His Temple at Jerusalem as a priest-turned-prophet adds to the Christmas story (Lk 1). Following his Temple service and supernatural encounter with the Angel Gabriel, this man struck dumb for his unbelief, opened his mouth with unction and utterance to declare the excellencies of Yahweh. Here is another ordinary man in the Christmas story, filled with an extraordinary message.
A child had been born to him and his wife in their old age, which is miraculously reminiscent of Abraham and Sarah. Zacharias and Elizabeth’s son, who we know as John the Baptist, was an extraordinary conception and birth. They were becoming part of the greatest story ever told.
The Holy Spirit filled Zacharias and inspired him with part of that story. Let us consider this prophetic sermon here from the text in Luke 1:67–80. It pertains to Jesus Messiah and John the Baptist, cousins in the flesh, and ministers at the fullness of time. Neighbors and relatives made up the congregation that day in which Elizabeth gave birth. The townsfolk inquired, “What will this child turn out to be?” (Lk 1:66).
The answer to the community inquiry came from the loosed tongue of Zacharias, who first broke out in praise to the Lord God of Israel (Lk 1:68). Yahweh, the God of Israel, has done wonderful things for His chosen people from every nation, tribe, and tongue (Rom 11:5–6; Rev 5:9; 7:9). Let us consider some of the great things Yahweh has done for us, prophesied by Zacharias.
First, He has visited us (Lk 1:68). Just as Jesus Messiah has come into the world with the purpose to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21), so the Spirit of Christ has visited each of God’s elect, in every generation and every place. His visit leads to a permanent stay, as the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the soul of God’s elect, redeemed people (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11).
Second, the purpose of redemption is the purpose of God’s visitation. Truly, Jesus Christ has accomplished redemption for His people (Lk 1:68). He has bought us for a price with the currency of His precious blood (1 Cor 6:20; 7:23), shed for the forgiveness of our sins (Mt 26:28; Col 1:14). Job said it best, “My Redeemer lives!” (Job 19:25). Jesus (“Yahweh saves”) has released us from our sins and all the consequences (Rev 1:5), to the effect that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1).
Third, Zacharias alludes to the prophets who preached this good news long before Messiah’s arrival in the flesh (Lk 1:70). God our Savior has raised up the horn of our salvation, a symbol of power and purpose (Ps 18:1–3). Jesus, our Savior, is mighty to save (Titus 1:4; 2:13). Zacharias’ allusion to the house of David, the warrior king and forefather of Jesus Messiah (Mt 1:6; Lk 3:31), who subdued all of Israel’s enemies, both foreign and domestic, is another strong statement of Jesus identity and mission.
For us, Jesus Messiah has saved us from the final enemy…death. His defeat of Satan at the cross was the victory over sin, which had each one in bondage (Jn 8:34; Rom 6:6). The truth has set us free to serve the living God (Jn 8:32, 36; 1 Thess 1:9; Heb 9:14). Now He leads us in Christ’s triumph (2 Cor 2:14).
Fourth, in this, God has shown us mercy, by His own choosing (Lk 1:72; Rom 9:15–16). This prophecy of Zacharias, and all of its component parts, points us past the birth of Christ to His death upon the cross. At the cross, we remember the wrath of God, which Christ propitiated for His people from around the world. We remember the mercy of God that prevents sinners from getting exactly what they deserve for their sins against the infinite majesty of God.
Fifth, all of this was and is the fulfillment of God’s oath and covenant (Lk 1:72–73) — His sure Word to His chosen people. Zacharias alludes to the eternal covenant, between God the Father and God the Son, as “holy.” The Word of God Himself/itself is holy. God is true; and His Word is truth. This sets it apart from the empty promises of people in the world. Simply put, God keeps His promises to His people; and He seals those promises with a legal contract, whereby He obligates Himself to perform them.
Finally, the privilege of serving comes with three features, according to Zacharias. In a world that operates on fear (Lk 21:26), the presence of the indwelling Spirit of Christ liberates us to be fearless in ministry (Lk 1:74). Those who have permanent right standing before God know that nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:31–39). This work of the kingdom of God is set apart from the world. It is holy work ultimately performed by the Spirit (Is 26:12; Phil 2:13).
Zacharias’ prophecy turns its focus, in part, from Jesus to John the Baptist at verse 76 of Luke chapter one. First, the son of Elizabeth and her husband is identified as the prophet of the Most High God (Lk 1:76). Second, his mission as a forerunner to Messiah is declared, in fulfillment of earlier prophecy (Lk 1:77). Third, we learn of the benefit to us (Lk 1:77b).
The knowledge of salvation is proclaimed by the prophet-preacher who explains to God’s chosen people the way of full forgiveness regarding their sins. The preacher, today, like John the Baptist heralds the Gospel of redemption by the blood of Jesus, shed at the cross (Rom 5:8; Col 1:14; 1 Pet 1:19; 2:24). In all of this, God’s mercy is on display.
When the sun of righteousness (Mal 4:2), who is here called “Sunrise,” shines as the Light of the world (Jn 8:12), God opens the eyes of His people to see the Light — a Light of revelation to the Gentiles (Lk 2:32).
The end-result-benefit of this faithful preaching of Christ crucified is a walk on the way of peace (Lk 1:79). The God of peace has sent the prince of peace to secure peace (Col 1:22), which gives us peace that passes all understanding (Rom 15:33; Phil 4:7).
Therefore, let us travel this way of peace, by proclaiming the peace of God that came into the world at Christmas. Peace has come to us in the knowledge of our salvation; and we, too, praise the Lord God of Israel for the great things He has done for us.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
December 15, 2024
Luke 1:67–80
