Were you ever asked something but you couldn’t answer because of fear or you were afraid of giving the wrong answer?  Were you ever called to witness something but you held back because you were unsure of your answer?  Were you ever called upon to speak about something but you held back because you really didn’t believe in or have faith in that something or person?

 

            Zechariah was just overwhelmed as he witnessed an angel in the temple.  Zechariah was certainly amazed when told his wife Elizabeth, although well beyond child-bearing years, was going to have a son.  Zechariah just couldn’t believe what he heard.  Because of his doubting, God made him speechless until after the birth of his son.

 

            When this son was born, the people gathered there for the circumcision would not believe Elizabeth’s claim that this son should be named John.  They didn’t believe her any more than Zechariah originally believed the angel.  But at this time, Zechariah believed God’s word through the angel and, in this faith, named this son John (which means, “God has been gracious”) as God had instructed him to through this angel. 

 

            Then, Zechariah’s tongue is loosed and he sings the second song of the New Testament.  God is blessed.  God is praised.  All glory and honor are to God is how his song begins.  The first time we hear this song of praise is Abraham’s servant when he meets Rebekah who will be Isaac’s wife.  Zechariah’s song continues quoting Old Testament verses of praise and honor to God who redeems his people.

 

 

            Then Zechariah’s song turns to the purpose his son is delivered into the world. This baby John, will be the last prophet, and will be the greatest of prophets.  He is the prophet of the Most High as no other name is above God’s name.  Paul later writes that it is at the name of Jesus that all knees will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth.  At the last day there will not be any one soul that does not recognize Christ as God Most High.  Already, the miracle that God can be and is true man and true God at the same time is being revealed. 

 

            John’s purpose is to go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.  [v. 7]  To do this, John preached repentance.  Jesus cannot enter our lives without our knowing our sin and humbly confessing them before our Heavenly Father.  Without repentance, forgiveness cannot be accepted.  John preached repentance and performed a baptism of repentance, preparing people for the one who would follow him, whose sandals he was not worthy to untie.  John preached repentance to prepare hearts for the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  

            John was sent to preach repentance so repenting hearts would hunger for news that the kingdom of God was near, for the news of forgiveness and healing by faith that Jesus would bring.  The biggest hurdle anyone has before knowing Jesus as savior is the hurdle of acknowledging sin and repenting sin.  Through his preaching of repentance, John made the way straight for Jesus to enter peoples’ hearts, minds and souls.  That largest of hurdles was overcome, and now the Savior can march directly in as he did on Palm Sunday. 

 

            Zechariah could sing these praises to God about his infant son because he believed God’s words of promise.  Jesus verified these words when he spoke of John:  “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.  This is the one about whom it is written: "'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'  I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."   [Luke 7:26-28]

 

 

            The Benedictus is the second great hymn of praise to God in the New Testament.  We praise God today for the prophets, the preachers who proclaim Christ crucified to us over the centuries.  We praise God for saving his people from their sins and giving eternal life in his dear son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  We praise God for his love and faithfulness to people of all generations so that there is not doubt at any time who is the God Most High, who is our Creator and Redeemer. 

            There  is no doubt who makes us holy again in the blood of the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.  We praise God for sending to us from heaven the rising sun…to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” 

 

            Jesus is the rising sun from heaven.  That is why this great hymn, the Benedictus is traditionally sung for morning services such as Matins and services of Morning Prayer.  We can continue to read and sing this hymn to remind us of God’s mercies that are new every morning, of God’s mercies in new life given in baptism, of God’s mercies sending his son into the world to save the world through him.

 

            Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.                     Amen.