Preparing the Way: The Dawn of God’s Mercy
Introduction:
Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we also reflect on the profound truths revealed in Scripture about His coming. Today, we focus on a prophecy spoken by Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, in Luke 1:76-78:
"And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us." (Luke 1:76-78, NLT)
This prophecy captures the essence of Advent: God’s plan to bring salvation, forgiveness, and light to a world in darkness. Today, we will explore three key truths:
The Role of the Messenger.
The Promise of Salvation.
The Dawn of God’s Mercy.
1. The Role of the Messenger
Luke 1:76 "And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord."
Zechariah proclaims that his son, John the Baptist, will prepare the way for the Messiah. The phrase "prophet of the Most High" connects John’s role to the Old Testament prophets who pointed to the coming of Christ. The phrase "prepare the way" recalls Isaiah 40:3:
"Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, 'Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!'"
John’s mission was to call people to repentance, paving the way for Jesus’ ministry. In Matthew 3:1-2, we see John fulfilling this role: "In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 'Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.'"
The Greek word for "prepare" (hetoimazo) means to make ready or equip. John’s ministry involved preparing hearts to receive the Messiah by turning them back to God. Similarly, as followers of Christ, we are called to prepare the way for others to encounter Jesus. This involves sharing the Gospel and living lives that reflect His love.
Imagine a gardener clearing rocks and weeds from the soil to plant seeds. Without preparation, the seeds cannot grow. Likewise, our role as Christians is to help remove obstacles in people’s lives so they can receive the truth of Christ.
Charles Spurgeon once said, "Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter." Let us embrace our calling to prepare the way for others to know Jesus.
2. The Promise of Salvation
Luke 1:77 "You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins."
Zechariah’s prophecy highlights the heart of the Gospel: salvation through the forgiveness of sins. This echoes the covenantal promise of God to redeem His people. In the Greek text, "salvation" (soteria) signifies deliverance and healing, and "forgiveness" (aphesis) conveys release or pardon.
John’s message prepared people to understand their need for salvation and pointed them to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus Himself declared in Luke 19:10: "For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."
Forgiveness is the gateway to salvation. Ephesians 1:7 affirms: "He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins." At Christmas, we celebrate the beginning of God’s plan of salvation through Jesus.
Imagine a prisoner who has been pardoned but remains in their cell because they don’t know they are free. John’s role—and ours—is to proclaim that the prison doors are open and salvation is available through Jesus.
Tim Keller writes, "Christmas means that we are so lost, so unable to save ourselves, that nothing less than the death of the Son of God could save us."
This Advent, let us share the message of salvation with those who need to hear it.
3. The Dawn of God’s Mercy
Luke 1:78 "Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us."
The phrase "tender mercy" reveals the compassionate nature of God. The Greek word for "mercy" (eleos) reflects His steadfast love and kindness. The "morning light" refers to the arrival of Jesus, the Light of the World (John 8:12). This imagery evokes Malachi 4:2: "But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings."
Jesus’ coming is like the dawn, dispelling the darkness of sin and death. In Isaiah 9:2, we read: "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine."
The birth of Jesus marks the breaking of a new day—a day of hope, peace, and redemption. This Advent, we are reminded that God’s mercy is the foundation of our salvation. Lamentations 3:22-23 declares: "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."
Consider the relief of seeing the sunrise after a long, dark night. The dawn brings clarity, warmth, and hope. Jesus is our eternal dawn, shining light into the darkest corners of our lives.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, "The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come."
This Advent, let us walk in the light of Christ and share His mercy with others.
Conclusion: Prepare, Proclaim, and Rejoice
Zechariah’s prophecy calls us to action:
Prepare the way for the Lord by living as faithful witnesses.
Proclaim the promise of salvation through the forgiveness of sins.
Rejoice in the dawn of God’s mercy, celebrating the light of Christ.
Call to Action:
This Advent, how will you respond to God’s tender mercy? Will you prepare the way for others to know Him? Will you proclaim the good news of salvation? If you have not yet trusted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, today is the day. Acts 4:12 declares: "There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."
Come to Him, the Morning Light from heaven. Let us pray together.
