I. Introduction
Have you ever made a promise that you didn’t keep? Have you ever made a promise that you later found you couldn’t keep? If you’re anything like me, you have learned that promise-making is far easier than promise-keeping, haven’t you? Why? It’s because broken promises are indicative of a fallen and sinful people. Therefore, if we are willing to be honest with ourselves, we can readily see that God’s assessment of us is right.
Romans 3:23
23 …all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
The glory of God! We fall so far short. Even in something as seemingly innocuous as the breaking of a promise to a child or to a parent, or to anyone else for that matter, we see sure proof that God’s assessment of mankind is true and accurate. Well, that’s us.
Aren’t you glad that the God who saves souls doesn’t break His promises? What if God said, “I promised to take you to be with Me when you died but something came up and I just can’t do it. I’m sorry about that but you’ll just have to get used to it.” Can you even imagine that? Frankly, I don’t want to. That’s the stuff of terrifying nightmares.
But, praise be to God, we know that He cannot lie. I once had a cynic come to me at a wedding reception. He said, “Is there anything your God can’t do?” I think he expected me to say, “No!” Then he would hit me with one of those inane questions that really make no sense like, “Oh really? Well, can He make a rock so big He can’t pick it up?”
He was surprised when I said, “Of course there are things God can’t do. For example, He cannot sin, He cannot deny Himself, He cannot cease to exist, and He cannot lie.” He was so taken aback that he never bothered to press the issue.
By the way, if anyone ever challenges you with, “Can God make a rock so big He can’t pick it up?” you can say something like this. “God is omnipotent, all-powerful, but God’s power is not separate from His nature. Since God’s nature is infinite in size, He would have to make something bigger than He is. To make a rock bigger than He is would be impossible. Therefore, picking it up is a moot point.”
So again, God cannot sin, He cannot deny Himself, that is, He cannot deny or change any part or aspect of His divine nature, He cannot cease to exist, and God cannot lie. It is with that last point firmly in mind that we open our Bible’s to Luke 1 this morning.
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II. Text
Today’s text is very similar to Mary’s “Magnificat” which we studied a few weeks ago. Back in vv. 46-55 she poured out what was essentially a song of praise to God.
She began by exalting the Lord. (She magnified Him – “Magnificat.”) She quoted OT truth and spoke of God’s provision for His own. Now, in this last segment of Luke 1, Zacharias will do the same. He will pour out praise for the promises that God has made to His people in the OT. This praise has become known as the “Benedictus,” from Zacharias’ first word in v. 68, “Blessed.”
This song of praise provides a theological bridge connecting the two testaments. The “Benedictus,” this blessing, comes in three parts. First, it speaks of the Davidic Covenant, God’s promise to King David. Second, it speaks of the Abrahamic Covenant, God’s promise to Father Abraham. Third, it speaks of the New Covenant, God’s promise to all who believe, that was given through the Prophet Jeremiah.
*Luke 1:67-80 (Stand with me in honor of reading God’s Word.)
67 And his (John the Baptist’s) father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accom-plished redemption for His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant –
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old –
71 Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 To show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our Father,
74 To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
76 “And you child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the LORD to prepare His ways;
77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins,
78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high shall visit us,
79 To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 And the child continued to grow, and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
Remember that Zacharias had not spoken a word in at least nine months. God had taken speech from him because he had doubted the angel Gabriel’s words that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son in their old age. Now it had happened and the old priest’s faith had grown exponentially. Back in v. 63 his faith came out for all to see when he named his son “John” as God had commanded. Then in v. 64 he opened his mouth and praised God.
*Luke 1:67-71
67 And (John the Baptist’s) father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accom-plished redemption for His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant –
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old –
71 Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us;
When v. 67 says Zacharias prophesied, it means, “He spoke forth.” Don’t let the words “prophecy” or “to prophesy” confuse you. While they certainly can refer to predicting the future, they usually refer to the proclamation of God’s Word. The Greek word is “prophēteuō.” (prof-ate-yoo´o) It is literally, “speaking out the mind and counsel of God.”
This “Benedictus” begins in v. 68 where Zacharias blesses the Lord. This is really a very common OT way of praising God. Moses, Samuel, Daniel, and David all do this. In fact, the Psalms are filled with such blessings directed toward God.
Notice that it is the God of Israel to whom the blessing is extended. Zacharias isn’t trying to limit God’s grace or influence to the Jews. He is simply pointing out the basic and fundamental truth that all salvation starts in Israel. Do you remember what Jesus said when He met the Samaritan woman at the well?
John 4:22
22 “You worship that which you do not know; we (the Jews) worship that which we (do) know, for salvation is from the Jews.”
“Salvation is from the Jews.” Paul was so eloquent in his love for the Jewish people. It just flowed from him when he spoke of their national rejection of their Messiah.
*Romans 9:1-5
1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit.
2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.
3 For I wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,
4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and the glory of the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises,
5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. (Stay here in Romans for a minute.)
But tragically, with all of that, I have heard professing Christians spew out anti-Semitism and an almost rabid hatred for Jews and the nation of Israel. I’m sure you have too.
We are living in a day when most of the modern world, and now, most of the so-called Christian church, is turning its back on God’s chosen people. I tell you plainly. They do so at their own peril. It is from Israel our salvation has come, and it is to Israel our Lord and Savior will return to take His rightful seat on the throne of David in Jerusalem.
In v. 68 Zacharias blessed and praised God because, “…He has visited us and accom-plished redemption for His people.” Someone says, “But God hasn’t done it yet. John is only eight days old and Jesus hasn’t even been born yet. How can Zacharias speak of visitation and redemption in the past tense?” It’s easy. Zacharias is so certain of what God is going to do that He treats it is as if it were already done. That’s called “faith!”
Such surety about the future is not uncommon in Scripture. Another place we see it is in Paul’s doctrinal treatise.
*Romans 8:29-30 (speaking of the believer’s destiny)
29 For whom God foreknew (past), He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many breth-ren;
30 and whom He predestined (past), these He also called (past); and whom He called, these He also justified (past); and whom He justified, these He also glorified (not past, but as sure as if it were).
Zacharias knew that if his little boy John was here, then the Messiah was “just around the corner.” It’s almost Christmas! (back to Luke)
The “horn” in v. 69 is a common OT metaphor for power. The power of the Messiah would conquer and destroy God’s enemies, and at the same time, His salvation (the power of it) would protect God’s people.
Earlier I said that this “Benedictus,” this blessing, comes in three parts. There is one for each promise of God. Now Zacharias refers directly to the first. This “horn of salva-tion” is coming from David’s house. This is the Davidic Covenant. It is universal in character. It is about the Jewish Messiah’s ultimate and eternal rule over all.
Near the end of David’s life he wanted to build a temple to house the Ark of the Cove-nant. But God had other plans. The divine plan was not that David would build God a house, but the other way around. God would build David “a house.” What God meant by that was that He would establish a dynasty.
*2 Samuel 7:10-11
10 “I will appoint a place for My people Israel; and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will the wicked affect them any more as formerly,
11 even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also declares to you that the LORD will make a house for you.”
When will Israel be planted? When will they not be disturbed? When will the wicked let them be? When will they have rest from their enemies? In the Millennial Kingdom! It will be the fulfillment of God’s absolute covenant promise to King David.
After David died his son Solomon built the first temple. The dynasty that began with David will come to its full fruition with Jesus sitting on the throne of David in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. Jesus Christ, “the Son of David,” is that King who will rule forever. By the way, the NT calls Jesus Christ the Son of David no less than seventeen times.
In vv. 70-71 Zacharias knows that when Messiah sits on that throne Israel will be safe, secure, and prosperous. It is because of the Davidic Covenant, the promise of the coming of the Jewish Messiah, what we call the Second Coming, that Zacharias blesses God.
But there is more! There is something else for which Zacharias blesses God when he opens his mouth and speaks for the first time in nine months.
*Luke 1:72-75
72 To show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our Father,
74 To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
Here is another promise of God. This time Zacharias speaks of the Abrahamic Covenant. Do you remember what that is? Where the Davidic Covenant is about God’s promise of the eternal rule of the Messiah over the whole world, the Abrahamic Covenant is about God’s promise of blessings to the nation of Israel. In other words, where the Davidic Covenant is universal, the Abrahamic Covenant is national.
Zacharias begins v. 72 by speaking of God’s mercy that was first directed to Abraham. In a national sense, God’s covenant with Abraham is for Israel, but in a spiritual sense, God’s covenant with Abraham goes beyond Israel to all who put their faith in the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.
*Genesis 12:2-3
2 And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.
Therefore, Abraham has both physical and spiritual heirs. The Jews are his physical heirs and the Christians are his spiritual heirs. Look again at v. 3. The Jews come from the family of the Israelites, but the Christians come from every family on the face of the earth, don’t they? (Jewish Christians are both!)
This is the promise to Abraham. It is the oath God swore in Luke 1:73.
Because of Israel’s sin and disobedience they have never yet possessed all the land that God promised them in the Abrahamic Covenant. But that day will come in the Millen-nium when Jesus rules the earth from David’s throne in Jerusalem.
It is important for us to understand that the Abrahamic Covenant is both unconditional and irrevocable. It will never be withdrawn or cease to exist. But just as important as knowing that is knowing this. Neither Jew nor Gentile can participate in it without faith. The benefits of the Abrahamic Covenant are applied exclusively to those who believe it. Righteousness comes only through faith, doesn’t it? A person must believe God. Abraham is our first prime example.
Genesis 15:6
6 Then (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.
This fundamental truth is summed up for us by the Apostle Paul in the NT.
*Galatians 3:6-9
6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteous-ness.
7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of the faith who are sons of Abraham.
8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations shall be blessed in you.”
9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.
Now look again at Luke 1:74-75. They also speak of the Millennium when Israel will live in peace. So again, the reason Israel has not yet received the promised blessings of either the Davidic or Abrahamic Covenants is because of her sin and disobedience. The proof of this is found in her national rejection of Christ when He came the first time.
Only when Israel recognizes Jesus for who He is (at the Second Coming), will God’s pro-mises be fully realized. Only then will all Jews be saved. (“All” is those Jews who survive the Great Tribulation and live until Christ’s return.) Then they will know that their promised Messiah was always Jesus Christ. Ultimately they will rejoice, but first they will mourn.
*Zechariah 12:10 (at the Second Coming)
10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born.”
It is in the recognition that God will one day forgive Israel and fulfill His covenant promises that Zacharias blesses and praises God in Luke 1:72-75. But there’s more!
There is a third promise. Zacharias speaks of it next.
*Luke 1:76-79
76 “And you child (John), will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the LORD to prepare His ways;
77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins,
78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high shall visit us,
79 To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
These verses are about the New Covenant. The Davidic Covenant is about God’s promise to rule over all. The Abrahamic Covenant is about God’s promise to bless the nation of Israel. The New Covenant is about the forgiveness of the sins of the individual. So the first is universal. The second is national. The third is personal. These are God’s magnificent promises – first to Israel and then to the Church.
The New Covenant is found in The Book of Jeremiah.
*Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “When I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,
32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD.
33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the LORD,” I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
34 “And they shall not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the LORD, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Just like the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants before it, the New Covenant, this new promise of God, is unconditional. Now notice in v. 32 that Jeremiah makes mention of another covenant, one which Zacharias does not directly refer to in Luke. This is the Mosaic Covenant. God gave it to Moses back in Exodus. It was for the governing of the relationship between God and His chosen people. It was conditional based on their obedience. If they obeyed God, He would bless them. If they didn’t, He wouldn’t.
But again, the New Covenant is not like that. It’s a covenant promise from God without any conditions. “…they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the LORD, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
These promises of God are unbreakable. He will not break them, and neither man nor Satan himself can break them. They are as sure as if they have already happened.
Zacharias knows this. Can you see why he blesses God for His incomparable promises?
In Luke 1:76 His newborn son, John, will be the one who prepares the way for the Messiah’s coming. Then v. 77 essentially says that all of God’s blessings promised in these three covenants will be realized in Jesus. But the greatest is salvation, the forgive-ness of sins.
Notice that v. 78 says all of this is taking place because of God’s tender mercy. He has compassion for us and He is doing for us that which we cannot do for ourselves. It is here that Zacharias uses the word “Sunrise.” It’s an OT metaphor for the Messiah. The Greek word from which it is translated refers of the very first light of dawn. Then in the rest of v. 78 and throughout v. 79 Zacharias speaks of light and what it does. What does that light of the rising sun do? It just continues to get brighter and brighter, doesn’t it?
The symbolism here is beautiful. Jesus is the light of the world. He drives out the dark-ness of ignorance, sin, and death. So Dr. Luke concludes the first chapter of his gospel.
*Luke 1:80
80 And the child (John the Baptist) continued to grow, and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
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III. Conclusion
Are you frustrated or sad or discouraged or angry or frightened about something? Ask yourself if it will matter tomorrow. Ask yourself if it will matter next week. Ask yourself if it will matter ten years from now. Or try this. Ask yourself if it will matter a hundred from now…or a million years from now.
God’s promises will be just as valid and unshakeable then as they were when He made them thousands of years ago. They will be just as valid and unshakeable as they are right this very moment.
Can you cling to that? As Christmas approaches can you look past all the fluff and glitter and stand with that old Jewish priest, Zacharias, and praise and bless God for His promises? I hope so.
Take a look at the manger scene out on the information table? See the baby lying there in that feeding trough? You’re looking at a representation of the perfect fulfillment of every one of God’s promises to Zacharias…and to you.
~ Pray ~