And You Child

1/1/2016

Luke 2.76-79 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” – St. Zechariah, the priest

Zechariah the priest had an awakening one day: he had a real time encounter with the Living God. I don’t think that had ever happened to him before. I believe he went about his priestly duties with excellence but somehow I think he wondered: is this all there is to life – incense, prayers, serving these people here in this temple, hearing their confessions, accepting their sacrifices, never seeing much change? Is that Mrs. Finkelstein again!? Oy! Really?

I think Zechariah was like a lot of religious people – he was a good man and a godly man, but he was old, and somewhat cynical, and perhaps he thought a lot about retirement – what’s next. I think he suffered inwardly because his wife was barren and they couldn’t have children of their own; age weighed heavily against them. An old man forcing himself to go through the motions.

One day, however, an angel showed up and told Zechariah that things were about to change, and his, soon to be born son, was going to be used by God to change the hearts of God’s people. The old priest was blown away: how could this be – I’m too old for this! And within a few months, a baby was born, and his name was John, and Zechariah was humbled to sing; and he sang, And You, Child.

Zechariah’s heart was changed; he saw his life in a whole new way; it wasn’t just about him anymore – God had something much bigger in store for the old man – and the old man gratefully sang for joy! His child was going to bring the change to the people he possibly had once longed to change. His child had turned his own heart to see that God was indeed, still caring for his nation and bringing them hope and peace. Zechariah understood suddenly, he wasn’t the only one trying to believe in God when all looked hopeless. He sang, and I’m gonna bet, he danced for joy!

What is God saying to you and me, my friends? Is He saying something to us that seems almost ridiculous? Is God at work in our world wanting to shine the light of His glory and goodness into the lives of the people around us who are hopeless, or helpless, or sitting on their hands just waiting for the next shoe to drop? What is God asking us to believe for that only He can do that will wake us up, and set the world around us on fire in a whole new way?

Is God saying this to you and me: And you, child, are called, a child of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace… ? Are we listening? Will we act? And what will happen to us if we believe?

Father, You have never stopped loving people and desiring for them to be saved, and forgiven, because Your tender mercies are still new every morning; and You are asking us – Your kids – to participate in the work of giving light to those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide their feet into the way of peace – peace with You, peace with others, and peace with themselves. Help us God; give us ears to hear. May we be blown away by what You have in store for us! Amen