Zachariah

Zachariah Luke 1:68-79

1. Zechariah’s is informed of the birth of the one who bring Peace

• The angel Gabriel appears to Zacharias and to Mary telling them both of impending births.

• Zacharias doubts words of the angel and is left speechless, v. 18-22.

• Later, when the baby is born, Zacharias calls his name John, v. 63. This is in obedience to the command of the angel, v. 13. Zacharias' speech is restored he lifts his voice in praise

• In this incredible paragraph of praise, this old man of God glorifies the Lord, v. 68; speaks of the coming Messiah, v. 68-75; give a prophecy concerning his son, v. 76-78a; and concludes by mentioning the "sunrise from on high", v. 78-79.

2. Let take a peek at Zechariah’s Foresight for Peace It comes in the arriving of Messiah

• Zechariah foresaw his son would prepare the way for the “Prince of Peace” “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

• Zechariah foresaw Mary’s Son as the one who gives Peace 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Mary’s child will give us peace he will be “a mighty savior for us,” We will “be saved from our enemies” (v. 71), we will be “rescued from the hands of our enemies” (v. 74), He gives salvation

• Zechariah foresaw Prophecy for His son. He even tells his son 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,

3. Zachariah’s response of the arrival of Prince of peace there’s a sunrise from on high.

• Zachariah praises because God will bring Shine to those who live in darkness 79 to shine on those living in darkness. He will bring a Brighter Day to those in darkness. to redeem them.

• He will give Shine (Not just a brighter but a Better Day)to those who are in the shadow of death, 79

• He will offer Shine (Happier, Sunnier days) to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

4. Zachariah learns It will be the Prince of peace who rescues us, saves us, so we can bring honor

• We have been rescued, he says, that we “might serve him without fear” (v. 74). 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear

• We have been saved … to serve. We will provide this service, not only without fear, but “in holiness and righteousness before him all our days” (v. 75).

• Zechariah is reminding us that we are a rescued people? Perhaps we should think about how to honor the “rescuer.”

• We honor Jesus by serving him without fear in holiness and righteousness all our days?

• It is quite easy to drift away from God Zachariah did maybe that’s why he could not speak

5. How can we respond to the Prince of Peace?

• We might forecast the Good News Go tell it on the mountain, we may offer shine, better, brighter, sunnier days, The prince of Peace rescues us, saves us, so we can bring him honor.

• How might we respond to the one who has rescued us? “What can I give him, poor as I am?”

• English poet Christina Rossetti in the poem “In the Bleak Midwinter” answers: “If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; / If I were a wise man, I would do my part, / Yet what I can I give him: give my heart.”

• Zechariah the priest Response “broke into song: We have been saved to serve “without fear, in holiness and righteousness … all our days” (vv. 74-75).

• Why don’t we as a people who are rescued from sin, Satan and death, Grasp this! Ye me

• We are rescued from meaninglessness, church boredom, ordinary church life to Extraordinary church life. What will I give the Prince of Peace?