City Life Starter

Written by Nate Warren

The Word

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,
⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God,
    by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
⁷⁹ to shine on those living in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

⁸⁰ And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.
Luke 1:76-80

Reflection

What a celebratory prophesy! Zechariah (his name means YHWH Remembers), really making his first words spoken in months count. Let’s break down the segments of this closing song that leads the narrative to Bethlehem.

My child, prophet of the Most High, prepare the way.
Zechariah understands his son, John the Baptist, is to be the messenger mentioned in the prophets to “prepare the way” (Mal 3:1; Isa 40:3).

…to give knowledge of salvation
A revelation of knowledge – an apocalypse – is about to take place. It will make a clear path to find a release from bondage from an oppressor.

…in the forgiveness of sins
This oppressor carries power because of sin, because the people cannot shake their guilt or live up to the law. But this revelation will change all of that…

…because of God’s tender mercy
God is motivated to bring this about. His mercies are new every morning.

…The Dawn from on High is visiting us
Jesus’ incarnation fulfills the prophesy, again from Malachi, “for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.”

…to give light to those … in the shadow of death
Here is the lynchpin to unravel the secret of this prophetic song. Humanity exists under the shadow, the oppression, of Death. It is by Death, and the fear of it, that humans attempt to hold power over others and our civilizations. Death is the curse of sin, and its oppression brings fear and fear of death brings more sin and more death. This is the story of humanity. But, the salvation that God is bringing knowledge of here is rescue of sinners from this darkness of death. The Light of Life is dawning among us. Come, Lord Jesus.

Application

Each year, it is good to reflect on the theme of Advent, the long-awaited arrival. In our time, we wait for Jesus to meet of our immediate need or our long-desired request. We await His triumphant return, and the final defeat of our old enemy, Death. Until then, we wait, eagerly seeking His light to shine the path before our feet, trusting His promise that we who keep His Word will never taste death (John 8:51).

Prayer

Most High God, Our Father,
Thank You for the Dawn of Light, the incarnation of Jesus, for the forgiveness of sin by His submission to death, and the knowledge of its defeat by His powerful resurrection and Your promise that the same resurrection awaits me. May my life be free from the fear of death. Amen.