Zacharias' Song: Celebrating Divine Visitation and Redemption

 

Summary

In our exploration of the Gospel according to St. Luke, we delve into the profound song of Zacharias, known as The Benedictus, found in Luke 1:67-80. This prophetic hymn is a celebration of God's divine visitation and redemption of His people. Zacharias, filled with the Holy Spirit, blesses the Lord God of Israel for visiting and redeeming His people, raising a horn of salvation in the house of David. This visitation is not merely a casual occurrence but a profound divine intervention, echoing the Old Testament promises and prophecies.

The term "visited" in this context is derived from the Greek word "episkopos," which translates to "bishop" in English. This word signifies a deep, comprehensive observation, akin to a supervisor who meticulously oversees every detail. In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the bishop of our souls, embodying God's all-seeing providence. This divine providence is not just foreknowledge but an active, sovereign plan for His people, as illustrated in the story of Abraham and Isaac, where God provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary.

The concept of divine visitation carries a dual significance. It can be a time of redemption and blessing for those who receive Christ, or a time of judgment for those who reject Him. This duality is evident in the Old Testament, where the day of the Lord was anticipated as both a day of deliverance and a day of darkness, depending on the spiritual state of the people. The ultimate visitation was the incarnation of Christ, offering salvation to those who accept Him and judgment to those who do not.

In our own lives, we may experience times when God seems distant, yet He is never truly absent. Like Luther at Worms, we can cry out to God in our moments of need, trusting that He will visit us with His strength and presence. Zacharias' song reminds us to bless the Lord for His faithful visitation and redemption, encouraging us to live in anticipation of His continued presence and work in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Divine Visitation: God's visitation is a profound intervention in our lives, not a casual occurrence. It signifies His active involvement and redemption, as seen in the prophetic song of Zacharias. This visitation is a fulfillment of Old Testament promises, bringing salvation and hope to His people. [04:38]

- Providence and Provision: God's providence is more than foreknowledge; it is His sovereign plan and provision for His people. The story of Abraham and Isaac illustrates this, foreshadowing the ultimate provision of Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb. Trusting in God's providence means relying on His perfect plan and timing. [14:03]

- Dual Nature of Visitation: The day of the Lord can be a time of redemption or judgment, depending on our response to Christ. For those who receive Him, it is a day of light and salvation. For those who reject Him, it is a day of darkness. Our relationship with Christ determines the nature of His visitation in our lives. [21:11]

- God's Omnipresence: Even when God seems distant, He is never truly absent. In moments of despair, like Luther at Worms, we can cry out to God, trusting that He will visit us with His strength and presence. God's omnipresence assures us that He is always with us, even in our darkest hours. [25:21]

- Celebration of Redemption: Zacharias' song is a celebration of God's redemption and faithfulness. It encourages us to bless the Lord for His visitation and to live in anticipation of His continued work in our lives. This celebration is a reminder of the hope and salvation we have in Christ. [26:01]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:21] - Introduction to Zacharias' Song
- [01:12] - Prophetic Message of Redemption
- [02:38] - Receiving God's Word
- [03:19] - The Songs of Jesus' Infancy
- [04:38] - Theme of Divine Visitation
- [05:25] - Blessing God for His Visitation
- [06:14] - Understanding "Episkopos"
- [07:41] - The Meaning of "Scope"
- [09:17] - The Role of a Bishop
- [11:24] - Jesus as the Bishop of Our Souls
- [12:51] - Divine Providence Explained
- [14:03] - Abraham and Isaac: A Story of Provision
- [17:16] - Jehovah Jireh: The Lord Will Provide
- [18:39] - The Ultimate Sacrifice at Calvary
- [21:11] - The Dual Nature of the Day of the Lord
- [23:56] - The Exodus: A Supreme Visitation
- [25:21] - God's Presence in Our Trials
- [26:01] - Conclusion: Blessing the Lord

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 1:67-80
- Genesis 22:1-14
- John 1:12

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the significance of Zacharias being filled with the Holy Spirit before he prophesied in Luke 1:67-80? [00:21]

2. How does Zacharias describe God's visitation and redemption in his song? What Old Testament promises does he reference? [04:38]

3. In the story of Abraham and Isaac, what does Abraham's response to Isaac's question about the lamb reveal about his faith? [16:33]

4. How does the sermon describe the dual nature of God's visitation as both a blessing and a judgment? [21:11]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "episkopos" deepen our understanding of God's visitation and oversight in our lives? [06:14]

2. In what ways does the story of Abraham and Isaac foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary? [18:39]

3. How does the dual nature of God's visitation challenge individuals to reflect on their relationship with Christ? [22:26]

4. What does the sermon suggest about God's presence during times when He seems distant, and how does this relate to the experience of historical figures like Luther? [25:21]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's visitation in your life. How did it impact your faith and actions? [04:38]

2. How can you actively trust in God's providence and provision in your current circumstances, similar to Abraham's trust in Genesis 22? [17:16]

3. Considering the dual nature of God's visitation, how can you ensure that your response to Christ is one of acceptance and not rejection? [21:11]

4. When God seems distant, what practical steps can you take to seek His presence and strength, as Luther did at Worms? [25:21]

5. Zacharias' song is a celebration of redemption. How can you incorporate a spirit of celebration and gratitude for God's work in your daily life? [26:01]

6. Identify an area in your life where you need to rely more on God's sovereign plan. What specific actions can you take to surrender control to Him? [14:03]

7. How can you prepare your heart to be receptive to God's visitation, ensuring it is a time of blessing rather than judgment? [22:26]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Intervention in Our Lives
God's visitation is not a mere coincidence but a profound intervention in our lives. It signifies His active involvement and redemption, as seen in the prophetic song of Zacharias. This divine visitation fulfills Old Testament promises, bringing salvation and hope to His people. Zacharias, filled with the Holy Spirit, blesses the Lord God of Israel for visiting and redeeming His people, raising a horn of salvation in the house of David. This visitation is a reminder that God is intricately involved in the details of our lives, orchestrating His sovereign plan for our redemption. [04:38]

"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." (Isaiah 59:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to recognize God's active intervention today, and how can you respond to His presence with gratitude and trust?


Day 2: Trusting in God's Sovereign Plan
God's providence is more than foreknowledge; it is His sovereign plan and provision for His people. The story of Abraham and Isaac illustrates this, foreshadowing the ultimate provision of Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb. Trusting in God's providence means relying on His perfect plan and timing, even when circumstances seem uncertain. Just as God provided a ram for Abraham, He provides for us in ways we may not expect, reminding us of His faithfulness and care. [14:03]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you struggle to trust God's provision, and how can you actively choose to rely on His perfect timing today?


Day 3: The Dual Nature of God's Visitation
The day of the Lord can be a time of redemption or judgment, depending on our response to Christ. For those who receive Him, it is a day of light and salvation. For those who reject Him, it is a day of darkness. Our relationship with Christ determines the nature of His visitation in our lives. This duality is evident in the Old Testament, where the day of the Lord was anticipated as both a day of deliverance and a day of darkness, depending on the spiritual state of the people. [21:11]

"For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head." (Obadiah 1:15, ESV)

Reflection: How does your current relationship with Christ influence your perception of His visitation in your life, and what steps can you take to deepen that relationship today?


Day 4: God's Ever-Present Help
Even when God seems distant, He is never truly absent. In moments of despair, like Luther at Worms, we can cry out to God, trusting that He will visit us with His strength and presence. God's omnipresence assures us that He is always with us, even in our darkest hours. This assurance encourages us to seek Him earnestly, knowing that He is a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [25:21]

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific situation do you feel God's absence, and how can you remind yourself of His promise to be with you and strengthen you today?


Day 5: Celebrating God's Faithful Redemption
Zacharias' song is a celebration of God's redemption and faithfulness. It encourages us to bless the Lord for His visitation and to live in anticipation of His continued work in our lives. This celebration is a reminder of the hope and salvation we have in Christ, urging us to live with gratitude and expectation of His ongoing presence and activity in our lives. [26:01]

"Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" (Psalm 96:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally celebrate God's redemption in your life today, and who can you share this celebration with to encourage them in their faith journey?

Quotes

“Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: ‘Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.” [00:44:27]

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” [00:110:67]

“The reason why he is blessing God is because God has visited and redeemed His people and raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David. Now I think what’s somewhat unusual that we don’t see when we read the English version of the text that is in the original is the language that is used for such divine visitation.” [00:337:94]

“The verb that is translated ‘visited’ here is the verb form of an extremely important noun in biblical categories. The noun is the noun episkopos. Now I’m sure that word sounds at least somewhat familiar to us, because we think for example of the Episcopalian Church and the Episcopalian Church is called the Episcopalian Church because of its form of government.” [00:374:46]

“Indeed, the English translation of the noun form of this verb, if you’re following me on this tack, is the word ‘bishop.’ And episkopos in Greek is translated by the word ‘bishop’ in English, and again I want to just take a moment to drill down a little bit into the meaning of that word. The Greek word episkopos is made up of two parts, a prefix and a root.” [00:439:37]

“The supervisor is one who looks at things deeply and carefully and fully so that he sees and perceives every single detail of what is going on. Well, the reason I labor this point is that this title of episkopos is in the New Testament given to Jesus. That Jesus, we are told in the book of Hebrews, is the bishop of our souls.” [00:649:23]

“And that title that is given to Jesus is merely a transfer of the understanding of the nature of God himself to His Son, because ultimately the supreme bishop is God himself, who observes totally, comprehensively everything that takes place in this world. Jesus tells us that there’s not a single bird that ever lands on the ground that our Heavenly Father doesn’t see.” [00:706:12]

“David exclaimed, ‘Where can I go from Your Spirit? If I ascend into heaven, You’re there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold Thou art there. Before a word is formed on my lips, oh God, You know it altogether.’ And so, this has to do with God’s all-seeing eye and knowledge of everything that happens in this world.” [00:752:36]

“It is his provision for his people. The first time that we discover this concept of divine providence in the Bible is back in the book of Genesis. In the twenty-second chapter of that book on that occasion where God came to His servant Abraham and He said to Abraham, after Abraham had waited all those many years for the promise that God had made for an heir to come to place and now, he and Sarah finally have a son.” [00:846:11]

“Jehovah Jireh had provided the lamb to be slain as a substitute. Do you realize that two thousand years later at that same mountain that was now not called Moriah, but now it was called Calvary, where God took His Son, His only Son, the Son whom He loved, Jesus, and put Him on the altar of sacrifice? Only this time no one shouted ‘Stop!’ The ultimate provision was made.” [00:1111:85]

“And those visits can be either wonderful and redemptive or tragic as they bring His judgment. The people of God in the Old Testament looked forward to the promised day of the Lord and in the beginning, the day of the Lord was this future day when God would come and redeem his people and bring peace and justice to them and redeem them from their enemies and fulfill all of his covenant promises.” [00:1235:74]

“And beloved, the ultimate visit from on high was the entrance of Christ into the world and for those who received him, to them He gave authority to be called the children of God. To those who received Him, it was the day of the Lord of redemption. But for those who reject Him, it is the day of darkness, for no light in it.” [00:1319:34]

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Transcript
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