Introduction

“The coming of Jesus brings salvation and hope, to all who put their trust in Him.”

1. Zechariah the Man

Zechariah is a priest and father of John. But he was also a righteous man!

Luke 1:6 – “And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.”

Luke 1:57-66 – The birth of John and Zechariah gets his voice back.

This song beginning in v.67 is an answer to the question in v.66, “What then will this child be?”

1. Zechariah’s Savior – Jesus (v.68-75)

Zechariah praises God for sending the Messiah! Blessed – God is to be honored with praise for what he has done.

“Visited and redeemed” – God has ‘visited’ his people by setting them free (redeem). It has both a spiritual and political reference to it. The people of Israel have been under the oppression of Rome. They are looking for a Messiah!

“horn of salvation” – image of power and strength

Zechariah praises God for raising up a powerful Messiah, who will deliver!

“house of his servant David” – Zechariah alluding to Davidic covenant with Jesus

“holy prophets from of old” – prophets who were set apart for God’s use

Jesus, the Messiah has come to:

• Deliver us from our enemies
• Serve Him
• Serve Him without fear
• Serve Him in holiness and righteousness

• Zechariah’s Son – John (v.76,77)

John’s task:

1) Prepare the way of the Messiah

2) Give knowledge of salvation to his people (John’s message was ‘repent’)

“in the forgiveness of sin” – new covenant – spiritual not just political freedom

Ephesians 2:8-10

1. Zechariah’s Hope (v.78,79)

Because of His coming – we have HOPE!

This great deliverance will be based upon the tender mercy of our God. 

“Sunrise shall visit us on high”

“to give light those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death…”

“…to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

1. Conclusion

“In 1:76-79, John and Jesus come by God’s mercy to God’s people. John will prepare the way for God’s visitation in Messiah. He will instruct them about salvation and the forgiveness of sins. But Messiah will go beyond John. For he will serve like a bright guiding light that takes the people out of the darkness and brings them into God’s way. John will proclaim salvation, but Jesus can take them into it.” D. Bock