13 December 2010
Luke 1: 67 – 80
Today we have a passage that was at one time very familiar to those who attended ‘Morning Prayer’. It’s called ‘the Song of Zechariah’, or as we knew it, the ‘Benedictus’.
Here Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, praises God for keeping His covenant; His promises to His people, even before these events have happened. He rejoices that now they are able to serve God without fear,- all their days. Most of all, though, he speaks of John, his son, (v 76-79), who was to prepare the way for the Lord. He would prepare peoples’ hearts to receive the coming Messiah by challenging their ways; calling them to repentance and granting them forgiveness of their sins.
Zechariah speaks of God’s mercy; of His ‘tender mercy’ and of the light to come, Jesus, who was to say, ‘I am the Light of the world’, (John 8 v 12).
In his old age Zechariah is not thinking of himself. He points to his son, John, who was born to serve God in a special way, - as His messenger. Zechariah’s reaction is to praise God. To look to the time when the promised Messiah would come, and it would be his son who would, ‘make ready the way of the Lord’ (Isaiah 40 v3); his son who would be called, ‘the prophet of the Most High’.
His joy flowed out in praise to God. He rejoiced for his son in the knowledge that he, too, would be serving the Lord. What a privilege that is. Zechariah’s humility shows in the words he speaks and in his love for God.
Dare we ask ourselves, ‘How good am I at praising the achievements of other Christians?’ or ‘Do I wish it was me being praised.?
Prayer
Lord God, give me a heart to praise You at all times; help me to rejoice when others are rejoicing and keep me humble as I serve You and walk in the way of peace.
Amen.
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