A Righteous Branch

A Righteous Branch

Luke 1: 67 - 78

Intro: Thanksgiving is coming. It is that time of year when many people travel to be with family. These and many other questions prevail as weary parents travel being trapped in a car with their small children. “Are we there yet?” “How much longer?” “Can we stop at the next McDonald’s? “Are we there yet?” --- At those times creative parents play the QUIET GAME! Everyone must be totally quiet, no talking, giggling, laughing, or whispering. If you do any of those things, you are out of the game. The last person to make a noise wins.

I This story only found in Luke and the Muslim book Qu’ran, is about a man named Zechariah whom God’s angel, Gabriel had silenced for not believing that his wife would have a son because she was old. (Luke 1:20)

A Zechariah was not able to speak until 8 days after the birth of his son, John when a religious service called a BRISS took place.

B At this service Zechariah regained his voice and sang God’s praises chanting that the promises made by prophets of old had now come to fruition.

C The song sung by Zechariah is traditionally call “THE BENEDICTUS.” A prophesy about the righteous branch who will bring God to the people.

II There are three words in Greek that stand reveal to us God’s intention for Israel and for us.

A The 1st word is found in VS. 68 - ??t??s?? LUTROSIS – Redemption. In OT time a slave could gain freedom by serving a number of years of being bought back. – This word describes same practice as some credit cards give points that can be used for other things. The son of Zechariah would announce the redemption of God’s people. The ransom would be paid.

B The 2nd word is in VSS 69 & 71 – s?t???a – SÓTERlA – Salvation which can mean to save, deliver or preserve. It is John who will declare the spiritual and eternal deliverance showing God’s power to deliver humanity from their sins.

C The final word is in VS, 77 afes?? APHESIS – FORGIVENESS which has several meanings: forgiveness / remission / to cause to stand away from / to release sins from the sinner / the deliverance of the sinner from the power of sin. The son of Zechariah would point the way to Christ Jesus who would bring forgiveness of sins to humanity.

Concl: What this means for us is that the son of Zechariah, John pointed the way to Christ Jesus, “The Righteous Branch” of God’s kingdom here on earth. It was John the Baptizer who pointed to Christ the King who came to bring redemption, salvation and remission of our sins. Next Sunday, we will begin our journey to the manger where we will discover once again that God has sent his Son for us.