The Prophet’s Calling; the Messiah’s Mission

Pro Clarity of Purpose

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…that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days… Luke 1:68-69; 74-75

Zechariah’s prophecy states that God had visited and redeemed his people so that they might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness, and that his own son John would be a prophet to prepare the way for the fulfillment of that cause;

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… Luke 1:76-77

and that the Messiah was coming to bring light into the darkness of their lives.

…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 1:78-79

Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Zechariah saw that God’s plan was not to bring fame, fortune, or affluence into their lives. God’s movement, born from His tender mercy was to provide a way to peace. John's calling was to bring the truth of God's plan to people who were living in the shadows of false expectations so that the Messiah could bring light into their darkness and peace to their souls.

When we acknowledge God’s plan and perceive His movement in our lives, and then follow through with our own attitudes and obedience, we begin to comprehend the ways of the Messiah in our world and to see with clarity our own personal calling. Who is God sending us to? Who do we know that needs to hear the truth of God's tender mercy and experience the light of forgiveness, the light of hope, the light of peace?

Let's DO something about it:

Are we looking for the fame, the fortune or the affluence of false promises in our own relationship with Christ, or are we looking for the light so that we can shine that light in the way of service to others?

• Prayerfully consider how clearly you perceive your holy and righteous calling to serve God by serving others. Then consider how fully you are fulfilling that calling.
• Ask God to show you one person you can reach out to today who may be hidden in the shadow of regret, hopelessness, or anger. Ask the Holy Spirit for one specific way that you can bring the light of forgiveness, hope, or peace into that person’s life. Now go do it!

Spirit Filled Comprehension

Pro Redemption

The immediate result of Zechariah’s non-traditional, neighbor-shocking naming of his son John, was that Zechariah’s impediment of speechlessness was dramatically reversed – not just relieved, but reversed. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and began prophesying! From silence to revelation. From his previous words of doubt (see Luke 1:18-20) to his restored words of praise and comprehension. Zechariah’s period of silence led to his act of obedience which resulted in his ability to comprehend God’s Presence and Plan in his life. By remembering the words of God spoken “by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old” [v.70] (in other words, the Old Testament) and recalling the promises and the covenants made [v.72], the Holy Spirit enabled Zechariah to see God’s great unfolding plan.

And what was God’s plan?

“that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear…” v.74

Redemption and purpose – in other words service. Delivered so that we might serve. Saved from mandatory slavery for voluntary servanthood. Our redemption has not given us self-determination, but instead has given us holy and righteous purpose.

Let's DO something about it:

When we remember God’s words by studying scripture, and recall His promises by appropriately interpreting the Word, we become more aware of God’s movement in our own time.

• Consider how familiar you are with God’s Word and His Promises. What steps can you take to become more acquainted with the scriptures and more proficient in their appropriate application?
• Prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to show you what promises God has fulfilled in your own life.
• Spend a few moments meditating on Luke 1:74-5,

that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

Ask God to show you how you can serve Him today.