Zechariah's Prophecy: Episode 2 (Luke 1:67-79)

Hello All,

The part of the poem that we will be emphasising on today is highlighted in blue. The black colour text in the poem is a recap of what we have already done last week.

Let us now continue with the second episode of this poem…

Zechariah's Prophecy: Episode 2 (Luke 1:67-79)

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (27th Nov 2014)

There once was a Jewish priest named Zechariah

Who was from the priestly order of Abijah

His dear wife was from the priestly line of Aaron

Her name was Elizabeth and she was barren

They were righteous and upright before the Lord's eyes

His commandments and decrees they did not defy

They lost hope of having a child for they were old

Until the birth of John the Baptist was foretold

By Angel Gabriel and fulfilled quite soon after

His miraculous birth brought much joy and laughter

Zechariah, filled with the Spirit, joyfully

Broke into songs of praise and gave this prophecy:

'Praise the Lord, the magnificent God of Israel,

His eternal love and faithfulness never fail

For he has visited and redeemed His people

He has sent us a Saviour who's strong and able

He is the prophesied and promised Descendant

From the royal line of King David, His servant

Now we will be saved from our ruthless enemies

To our ancestors, He has shown grace and mercy

By remembering His sacred covenant

Made with our ancestor, Abraham, His servant

We have been rescued from our cruel enemies

So that we can serve God without timidity

With no trace of fear, for He has made us holy

And righteous through our Saviour in His great mercy

We can serve the God of Israel for all our days

For as long as we live on earth, in every way

TO BE CONTINUED...

Points for Reflection:

[68] “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people

[69] and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,

[70] as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.

(Luke 1:68-70 ESV)

·         Zechariah began his prophecy in praise and anticipation of the coming of the Messiah, the promised Saviour and King, Jesus Christ.

·         The coming of the Messiah from the line of King David was long foretold by prophets of old.

·         In a world which suffers the effects of humanity’s rebellion and sin against a holy God, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is the Saviour it needs to reverse the curse of sin.

·         All the good works that we may try to do to atone for our sin are futile.

·         It is only through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ that we can be saved from God’s judgment for our iniquity.

·         Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour? Are you trusting in good works instead of Jesus Christ for salvation?

[74] That we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear,

[75] in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

(Luke 1:74-75 ESV)

·         When we put our trust in Jesus Christ, God adopted us as His beloved children and delivered us from the hand of our Enemy – Satan.

·         It is through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we are made holy and righteous before God.

·         Although good works is not a prerequisite for salvation, they are the products and fruits of those who have been saved by grace.

·         If we have been adopted as God’s children, it would be unfitting for us to live as if we are still under the dominion of our Enemy.

·         Instead, we should be using every opportunity we have in life to serve God.

·         Have you been persisting in secret sins with no true repentance? While we are on earth, we will still sin for we are far from perfect. But we should be praying for God’s help in our combat against sin.

·         Have you been using your life to serve God for His glory or for yours? Have you been living as the king of your own life who determines what is right and wrong? Or have you been living under the lordship of Jesus Christ in obedience to His Word?