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December 10

Title: The Prophecy of Zechariah

Text: Luke 1:67-79

9 months. That is a long time to not speak. But remember because of Zechariah’s unbelief—God took away his ability to speak throughout Elizabeth’s pregnancy. But fortunately, it seems that the discipline of the Lord did its job. Zechariah emerged humble, ready to raise the Forerunner of the Messiah. But not only that—the Holy Spirit fell upon Zechariah, revealing a prophecy recorded in the gospel of Luke. 

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand 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 in the forgiveness of their sins, 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.” (Luke 1:67-79)

As far as prophecies go, this one is pretty good. Let me hit the highlights. 

God visited His people. 

I mean—come on. God the Son coming down from Heaven, clothing Himself in humanity, to visit us and redeem us. No other religion does that. 

The prophets of old spoke about this Day. 

There are so many prophecies about the Messiah—scholars put the number on the low end—-300 prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. 300. That is crazy. 

John the Baptist will be called the prophet of the Most High. 

John the Baptist was unique. Lots of prophets. Only one forerunner to the Messiah. His dad’s prophecy tells us: 1) He will prepare the way; 2) He will give knowledge of salvation; 3) He will preach repentance and 4) He will guide God’s people into the way of peace. 

God is gracious with Zechariah. 

Scholars disagree with each other—but generally speaking 32 people are recorded in being filled with the Spirit before Pentecost. Zechariah is part of this pretty elite group. But the main point is this: God disciplined Zechariah, but He was certainly not done with him. We are not sure how long Zechariah lived after the birth of John the Baptist—but what we do know is this: Even at an old age, Zechariah was given a significant calling. Quite frankly, far greater than even the priesthood. He was called to raise the “greatest man born of a woman”. 

Did you feel like your time has passed? Do you feel like you missed your window? Do you feel like you are too old to be used by God? The testimony of Zechariah should encourage you. God is not done with you until you breathe your final breath. Remember that. 15 days till Christmas.