Thus far, we have looked at the events that lead up to Zacharias being mute for nine months while his wife was pregnant with John the Baptist. We were able to see the plan of God behind this malady and how he was filled with the Holy Spirit to give us such a remarkable prophecy of the coming of Jesus.
Last time, we dug into the first portions of the prophecy that dealt with Jesus being our “horn of salvation.”
Today we look at the next two verses that deal with the salvation and mercy that was promised to us through God’s covenant.
Zacharias’ Prophecy – Part III: God’s Lovingkindness
“Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; to show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant.” –Luke 1:71-72.
The first half of these verses was taken from the Psalms.
So He saved them from the hand of the one who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. –Psalm 106:10.
For a little background on this passage in Psalms–which will also lend itself to the prophecy in Luke–Psalm 106 calls to mind the sins of Israel after God lead them out of Egypt. The verses just prior to Psalm 106:10 specifically recall the sins of unbelief and the murmuring of the people at the Red Sea. Verse 10 says that in spite of the sins of the people, God still saved them and redeemed them!
And so it is with Jesus. Just as Paul says:
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. –Romans 5:8.
Christ is our salvation from our enemies: Satan, sin and death. Who hates you? That’s right: Satan does! He and all his demons. It’s the complete opposite of the love of God. The extent of God’s love for you and I is that Jesus died for all in whom there was nothing that evoked that love.
All of this is because of the covenant God made with Abraham so many thousands of years ago. We will expound on this more in depth next time around.
Have you reached a point in your life to stop running away from the One who loves you? If so, Jesus is waiting for you to call on Him! Don’t wait another day!
May He Increase!
