Luke 1:67-80
Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
After nine months of silence, Zechariah has something to say!
Of course, it’s not just that he’s been bursting to talk, or even that nine months of reflection has led to such deep insights. Rather, as Luke testifies, the Holy Spirit fills Zechariah. Which is the only way we can ever apprehend so deeply or voice so poignantly God’s abundant mercy.
Because that’s what Zechariah’s song is all about: God’s mercy.
There is the mercy of being noticed. God has looked, taken note, recognized the need of God’s people.
There is the mercy of redemption. God promised ages before to save the people and is acting now to do so.
So there is also the mercy of a promise kept, all the more poignant because of the duration of the time of waiting.
And there is the mercy of freedom, being released from captivity to one’s enemies and being able to worship God without fear.
This is a song of mercy.
And blessing.
After singing his praise of God’s tender compassion, he turns to offers his Spirit-filled benediction upon his son, the one who will announce God’s tender mercy and give them knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.
Note that, for just a moment – that John, wild-eyed prophet of eschatological judgment and herald of the coming Messiah, is blessed to give knowledge of salvation though forgiveness. Not, as it turns out, warning, or condemnation, or judgment, but forgiveness.
And so the old priest Zechariah, near the end of his days, sings a song of mercy, blessing, and forgiveness. Yes, this is the work of the Holy Spirit, for when such things are present, it is always the Spirit at work.
Prayer: Dear God, so fill us with your Spirit that we may turn to each other with words of mercy, blessing, and forgiveness and live into the promises you made through Zechariah. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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