The theme for this week is COVENANT. Our salvation, given to us as a gift of grace through our Savior Jesus Christ, is an act of COVENANT-KEEPING by God. Therefore, when our faith is shaped by Jesus, we live in COVENANT with God through Jesus Christ - living obediently to Jesus' commands to love God and love neighbor while recognizing God's complete faithfulness to keep COVENANT with us.
There are three ways (at least) we see COVENANT in this passage.
First, in the Benedictus*, Zechariah's words of prophecy (vs. 67-79), we see God's COVENANT-KEEPING with Zechariah. Back in the early verses of Luke 1, an angel appeared to Zechariah and promised him (and Elizabeth) a son named John who would "turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God (vs. 16)." In Zechariah's prophecy, Zechariah is foretelling what his newborn son will do as "the prophet of the Most High (vs. 76)." Even before John is grown and begins his ministry and before Jesus is born, Zechariah praises God for bringing salvation to Israel. We should keenly be aware that Zechariah understands God's faithfulness to him in the larger context of God's faithfulness to Israel. Similarly, God's faithfulness to us is not for our sake alone. God blesses us that we might be a blessing to others.
Second, in the Benedictus*, we see God's COVENANT-KEEPING with Abraham and David. In vs. 72-73, Zechariah says, "Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our ancestor Abraham." This is a reference to the COVENANT God makes with Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 through which "all the families of the earth shall be blessed (vs. 3)." In Luke 1:69, Zechariah says that God has "raised up a mighty savior (or a horn of salvation) in the house of his servant David." Luke believes that John's ministry and Jesus' birth is a part of God's COVENANT-KEEPING with King David. God had promised at least 800 years prior to Zechariah to raise up offspring for David and establish David's throne/kingdom as an eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7:16). Although hundreds of years have passed, God did not forget the promise made to David. This should be a boost to our own faith. God does not forget the promises that bless our lives.
Third, in Luke 2:1-7, we see God's COVENANT-KEEPING with Israel and "all the families of the earth" in the birth of Jesus. In Jeremiah 31:31-34, God speaks of a NEW COVENANT that will be made with Israel and Judah in which God will put his "law within them...writing it on their hearts (vs. 33)." The NEW COVENANT would mean that everyone would know the Lord and their sins would be remembered no more (vs. 34). Jesus brings this knowledge/relationship with God and complete forgiveness to the world through His birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and future return to bring the fullness of His Kingdom to humanity. As the Bible teaches us, we participate in this NEW COVENANT through our faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
If the language of COVENANT seems confusing, don't get lost in trees. This is GOOD NEWS of the highest order! God's faithfulness to Abraham, David, and Zechariah (men who have long passed from their earthly lives) also means that God is faithful to the NEW COVENANT that includes YOU!
God's faithfulness through COVENANT is also a reminder in this Advent Season that Jesus' promise to return is a promise that Jesus will keep. The Apostle Peter says in 2 Peter 3:8-9, "But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance."
A few final thoughts for extra-credit: (1) There are more Old Testament references in the Benedictus* than can be pointed out in a short article like this. However, take some time to compare these verses: Luke 1:76 = Isaiah 40:3 and Luke 1:78 = Malachi 4:2. (2) Pay attention to Luke 1:80. What does it mean that John was "in the wilderness?" Could it be that John was active with the Essene community near Qumran at the Dead Sea or at least familiar with their ministry? Take some time this week to read about the Essenes who lived "in the wilderness."
*Benedictus - "The Song of Thanksgiving (Lk. 1:68-79) uttered by Zachariah for the birth of John the Baptist. In the Western Church it is sung liturgically at Lauds (Morning Prayer), whence it was taken over for Mattins in the Book of Common Prayer." - The Concise Oxford Dictionary of The Christian Church
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