December 11, 2011 The Purpose of Christmas, Part Three: "The Promise of Salvation and Redemption Fulfilled" Luke 1:67-79

My apologies at the lateness of this posting, DSL.

- So far in our Advent journey we have learned that, "God fulfills his promises in ways that defy human imagination," and also that, "All the promises of God find their Yes in Christ."

- Today, as we continue to think about the purpose of Christmas, we're going to take a look at the words of Zechariah and you may just be surprised by what we find there.

- This morning I want to ask a very similar question to the question I began with last week, which is: What is the significance of Zechariah's prophecy for Luke's readers?

- Now in order to answer this question we are going to have to explore Zechariah's prophecy.

- Several months before he prophesied, Zechariah had been struck dumb by the word of the Angel Gabriel because of his scepticism and doubt. Now, to the astonishment of his neighbours, Zechariah could miraculously speak and joyfully expressed the words which the Holy Spirit placed in his heart and on his mind.

- Speaking in the past tense, Zechariah refers to an event that has not yet happened while giving praise and thanks to God.

- Zechariah's words remind us that, "God fulfills his promises in ways that defy human imagination," and that, "All the promises of God find their Yes in Christ." His prophecy reminds us of these truths simply because his words are unexpected, unthinkable and they point to the fulfillment of God's promises in the Hebrew Scriptures which have and are already coming to pass.

- In a miraculous circumstances surrounding the conception and birth of his son, John, as well as, the soon to be born Messiah, God demonstrates his power, and according to Zechariah’s words, as well as, the rest of the prophecies, miraculous births are small potatoes compared to what God is about to do.

- That John is to be prophet of the Most High to go before the Lord and prepare his ways is most unexpected.  The people were expecting Elijah, not some Elijah "wannabe". But as Luke records for us, the angel Gabriel said that John "will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah" Luke 1:17 (ESV).

- It would be the preaching of John that would prepare the way for Jesus. John called for repentance and offered people the opportunity to publicly declare that they had changed their minds about their sins by being baptized, being immersed by John in the Jordan River. It was he who first preached the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

- While God is actively providing redemption, salvation, and deliverance, he is also actively extending his mercy and grace through the forgiveness of sins.

- While God is merciful, he is also holy and cannot simply ignore our sin. The debt of our sin must be paid because the wages of sin is death. From the beginning of the world, the consequence for not choosing life is simply death. Zechariah's words give us the smallest hint at how God will accomplish this. As verses 78-79 declare, "because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

- Whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high - this statement is not some insignificant phrase that we should simply gloss over and ignore. Rather, it is the key to understanding the purpose of Christmas.

- Zechariah's prophecy bears the influence of Malachi 4:2, "But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings" Mal 4:2 (ESV).

- What we must understand about Hebrew prophecy is that it is most often communicated through poetry and poetry, of course, uses figures of speech, simile, metaphor, and the like and as such, must not be interpreted literally. The reader needs to discern or look for the meaning behind the text. This is quite the opposite of historic narrative which is designed to be interpreted literally. It says precisely what it means, whereas poetry does not say exactly what it means.

- While the sun is symbolic of light & life, light represents goodness or righteousness, as well as, healing and restoration. But the sun also represents the presence of God and, therefore, God himself.

- The prophetic promise from the lips of Zechariah that "the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" is a promise of divine visitation to give light to those in the dark, life to those in the shadow of death, & guidance to a life of peace. Because Zechariah's prophecy also mirrors the prophecy of Malachi it is also the promise of righteousness and healing.

- Zechariah mentions the sunrise and Malachi says the sun of righteousness will rise and I am convinced that these two prophecies point to the purpose of Christmas, which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead so that we can also have eternal life.

- Old Testament scholars will tell you that resurrection is not clearly taught in the Old Testament. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead while the Sadducees did not. Both were around during the ministry of Jesus, as well as, some time before and shortly afterward, and both were seen as legitimate expressions of the Jewish faith. So we may take it that while the concept of resurrection is not plainly present in the Old Testament the metaphors of Old Testament prophecy may be understood to imply the resurrection. In fact, that is how Jesus himself understood these prophecies and that is how the early church understood these prophecies.

 - What is the significance of Zechariah's prophecy for Luke's readers? The significance of Zechariah's prophecy for Luke's readers is the revelation that the Lord himself will visit them bringing the light of his redemption and salvation to those in darkness and death's shadow. The Lord himself will visit them bringing the light of his redemption and salvation to those in darkness and death's shadow.

-What is the purpose of Christmas? The purpose of Christmas can be summed up thus: The risen Son brings his light to those in darkness and death.

- We like to carry the title or name Christian. But that name carries with it an awesome responsibility because it means "little Christ." But as we prepare for Christmas what we really need to remember is that we are not just preparing for Christmas we are preparing for eternity and Jesus is coming again.

- Since the risen Son brings his light to those in darkness and death, then I am left with a question: what am I doing to bring his light to those in darkness and death? What about you? What are you doing to bring his light to those in darkness and death? What are we doing to bring his light to those in darkness and death?

- Because we belong to Jesus we have one task, bringing his light to those in darkness and death.

- The 18th century pastor, missionary, & evangelist John Wesley gave this bit of advice. "Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can."

- The risen Son brings his light to those in darkness and death.