A king would arrive and light would dawn. Promises had been made by God, yet the Messiah had not arrived. By the time we get to our passage in Luke, no prophet had spoken in over 400 years. The Jewish nation had gone through some difficult times. They were under the rule of Rome. Quietly in the Temple and local synagogues, the law of Moses and prophets were being read each Sabbath. The hopes were rising that the Messiah would soon be coming. In the midst of the darkness and in the midst of the silence, God would speak. He would do so to a man who was given a once in a lifetime opportunity to serve incense in the Temple. His wife had been barren, but God would promise them a son. Zacharias was unable to give the benediction the day he left the Temple, because he was muted. However, when his son John was born, he gave a benediction which provided a description of the King of Hope, the horn of salvation and dayspring from on high.
As we look at this passage, I want to remind you that there is hope in the Lord. As you face the holiday season, it may seem dark and cold. Things may not be like they have been in the past. Loved ones may not be joining you this year. You may be looking out at all the bad news and darkness in our world. Let’s not get so caught up in the bad news. Let’s be responsible, but let’s get caught up in the good news. Jesus Christ is the King of Hope. |
