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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke

PART 1 - HISTORICAL EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRIST'S BIRTH (Luke 1:5 - 2:52)

4. The Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-80)


LUKE 1:76-80
76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn from on high will visit us, 79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.” 80 The child was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

The old priest was about to forget his son in his praise to God, for this insight into the history of the love of God and its plans refreshed his spirit. Then he turned to his son John, the symbol of the Lord’s grace, and foretold his vocation, strength, and achievements.

John was not the Son of the Highest but his prophet, created of dust, and filled with the Holy Spirit as other prophets before him. His distinction was that he came at a time when Jesus Christ was about to come; and therefore the Baptist became the forerunner of the Lord, who prepared his way, administered baptism to him, and witnessed his glory.

Zacharias realized through the Holy Spirit in all Scripture that Mary’s child was the Lord himself. The angle's words and the purposes of the Holy Spirit enlightened him to grasp this prophecy. It was dangerous to declare this testimony among the Jews that the Lord would visit the earth and walk among people, and that John would prepare his way. That was the great revolution in creation, for the Creator comes now to his creatures to test, save, and perfect. Are you prepared to receive him? How is your relation with God? Do you deserve to meet him? Get ready for his presence soon.

Zacharias knew that no man was worthy of meeting God or of worshipping Christ in the manger, for we are all sinners. The most important part in the Baptist’s ministry was leading people to true and faithful repentance, so that they might realize that they could obtain salvation only by remission of sins. Are your sins forgiven, dear brother? Are you seeking to become holy, pure, and acceptable? Examine yourself with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and confess your lies, thefts, laziness, and all kinds of injustice and disgrace. Your knowledge of yourself and your open confession of your sins is the only way in which you prepare the entry of God into your heart. Come and bow down before your Creator and do not deceive yourself as to your attainments. Confess your sins and ask your Lord’s forgiveness.

Then you will know the miracle of God’s love, for the Son came from heaven to our impure darkness, and his righteousness shone as the glorious sun in our dark night. Open your mind completely to the mercy of God as shown in Christ, so that you may wake up, get up, and praise God in the morning and again in the evening.

In Christ alone, the conflict between you and God ends in your heart, divine peace comes, and you live in complete harmony with the will of your Lord. Then, you will no longer run like a wild ass urged on by your careless lusts, nor will you quarrel with every man because of your excessive sensitivity, but abandon your rights, forgive your enemies openly, and bear patiently those who are difficult to bear, for the power of Christ’s redemption gives you the ability to do that which is impossible, so that you may die to yourself and God may live in you.

John grew older in years, bodily and spiritually. He isolated himself from the superficial world, with its bitter temptations and shallowness, and prepared himself by praying to God. He may have joined the Essenes in Qumran, so that he might be ready to answer the voice of the Highest when called by him to bear witness to his people. Similarly, we wish you advancement in spirit and in body, in our God’s Sun of righteousness, so that you may become a witness of Christ’s power, and lead those around you to the Savior of the world.

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for you supported John as your servant, and sent him to prepare the way of your Son. Please cleanse us from our sins and renew our minds so that we may prepare his way where we are and get ready for his imminent advent.

QUESTION 21: What more did Zacharias disclose that the angel had revealed to him about his son?

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