Advent Reading for December 22: Luke 1:57-80
Reflection: Redemption Has Come!
Redemption Has Come!
At long last!
Nine months have passed. For her it was nine months of solitude and anticipation in watchful care. She was waiting for redemption from the stigma of social pity and personal shame.
“Now! The time had come for Elizabeth to give birth and she gave birth to a son! Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.Luke 1:57-58 (NASB)
The shroud of disappointment for her inability to give her husband an heir and her cultures’ low perception of her inability to fulfill her womanly duty has been lifted from her tired and worn shoulders!
Redemption had come!
At long last!
For him it was nine months of silence. Nine months of waiting for redemption from the curse because of his doubt of God’s promises and favor. And it happened when they came to circumcise the child and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father. But his mother answered and said, “No indeed: but he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.” And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were astonished. (Luke 1:59-63 NASB)
And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed (set free!), and he began to speak in praise (prophesy) of God.Luke 1:64 (NASB)
One meaning of the name Zacharias is “Yah (Yahweh) Remembers.” John means, “(Gracious) Gift of God.” He demonstrates a great amount of faith by first, trusting his wife to name his child, second, by not allowing the only son of his old age to carry his name, and third, to honor God by naming his son “gift of God,” and recognizing His faithfulness. His faith is apparent.
Redemption had come!
At long last!
Four hundred years of silence. The chosen people of God have not received a new word from Him. Four hundred years of waiting for redemption from the oppression of tyrannical overlords. Had He abandoned them? Would He return as He had done in the past and reunite them together, free from oppression?
And Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant –
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old –
Salvation “FROM OUR ENEMIES, and FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US;
To show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant,
The oath, which He swore to Abraham our father,
To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.”Luke 1:68-75 (NASB)
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS;
To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of sins,
Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace.Luke 1:76-79 (NASB)
Can more be said than that? Blessed be the Lord God! For He is faithful when we are not. He remembers His people and honors His oaths. He rescues us from ourselves and from the enemies who yearn for our destruction. He grants us to serve Him, without fear, in holiness and righteousness! He gives us good gifts!
The Word of God has come! They called Him Jesus, “God is My Salvation,” for He has saved His people from their sins.
We are living now in the glorious day of His Light; He is the Light of the world! (John 8:12) He is the bright and morning star! (Revelations 22:16) He is the Prince of Peace! (Isaiah 9:6). He has brought peace between God and man.
As we anticipate the dawn of Christmas morning and the joy that I hope is given to you, rejoice along with all those who have rejoiced before us because Redemption has come and abides with us now!
Benjamin Tangeman
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