We have reached the fifth installment in the series on “The Prophecy of Zacharias.” We’re almost through the prophecy–we’ll have two more installments.
So far:
- We were introduced to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist.
- We looked at Zacharias’ statement of Jesus being the “horn of salvation.”
- We looked at God’s lovingkindness by way of His promises.
- And we studied God’s covenant with Abraham, demonstrating His great love for us.
Today we will look at the next two verses of Zacharias’ prophecy that speak of his son: John the Baptist.
Zacharias’ Prophecy – Part V: Heralding John the Baptist
“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 on before the Lord to prepare His ways.” –Luke 1:75-76.
The first part of this is the finishing thought from our last post on God’s covenant with Abraham. A quick word to wrap up that thought: this prophecy isn’t fully fulfilled yet. It won’t be until Jesus comes back and sets up His earthly throne.
After a full eight verses on Jesus, Zacharias now turns his attention to his son, John. It’s exciting to me to read of a father, speaking through the power of the Holy Spirit, prophesying what his son’s life purpose is. Even more glorious, is that his own son is the second coming of Elijah, prophesied 400 years previously by Malachi.
“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.” –Malachi 4:5-6.
And if you doubt that this verse speaks of John the Baptist, Jesus Himself backs it up.
“And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come.” –Matthew 11:14.
Zacharias partially quotes from Malachi:
“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, who you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts. –Malachi 3:1.
John’s entire life was spent fulfilling this calling and this ministry. From the clothes he wore, to the food he ate, John knew and understood that he was the second coming of Elijah. John fulfilled Malachi’s prophecy as well as his own father’s prophecy.
The prophecy will turn back again to Jesus. We will look at this next time.
May He Increase!
