The passage highlights the continuity and fulfilment of God’s promises of redemption for us.

Luke 1:67-79 (New King James Version)
(highlighted for the purpose of meditation and study, no words have been altered).

Zacharias’ Prophecy

“(67) Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

(68) “Blessed is 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,
Who have been since the world began,
(71) That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
(72) To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
(73) The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
(74) To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve Him without fear,
(75) In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

(76) “[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,
(77) [To give knowledge of salvation to] His [people by the remission of their sins],
(78) Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
(79) To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

As I meditated on Zacharias’ Holy Spirit-inspired song, I was struck by its profound richness depicting God’s character, revealing the continuity and fulfilment of His promises and the future promise of redemption in Jesus. Zechariah’s words encompass the past, present, and future of our salvation.

The passage above has been colour-coded and underlined to share and highlight how God had intricately revealed His redemption plan. The bolded part spoke of the Holy Spirit’s presence, the underlined sections pertain to our Heavenly Father, the italic sections point to Jesus the Redeemer, the [bracketed] sections referred to [John the Baptist], and the italic underlined sections combines the two elements of the Trinity, Heavenly Father and Jesus.

These elements reveal God’s triune character, His omnipotence, omnipresence, and immutability.

• The words were inspired by the Holy Spirit (v67):
• Zacharias praised our Heavenly Father (v68) for fulfilling His past promise, sworn to Abraham (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16)
• Revealed [John’s present existence and future role as the forerunner] (v76; cf. The Passion Translation) preparing the way for Jesus’ arrival as the messianic hope,
• Revealed Jesus as the future promised redeemer who has come alight (v 78 & 79),
• Verses 68 and 78 intricately intertwined the Heavenly Father and Jesus, indicating they had visited before Jesus was born.

I recall a precious and humbling time spent in conversation with God. I took time to thank Him and reflected on how He has cared for me. In that moment, I said to God, “Today, I want to be selfish, focus on myself, and thank you for me, no one else.”

As a Christian, I have had a very colourful past. Reflecting on this past, God showed how, with each of the colours I experienced, the Holy Spirit was with me – protecting me from harm, admonishing me, guiding me, and ultimately redeeming me to be righteous in His sight. Do I wonder why, sometimes – yes.

At the end of our conversation, I felt a profound sense of joy, peace, and intimacy with God. I sensed it as God saying, “You are welcome for spending time with me and expressing your gratitude – it was not selfish.”

I am reminded of an insight (I cannot recall who shared it) that Christianity and the gospel are invitations from God to ALL, about:

• Forgiveness of the past,
• A new life for the present, and
• Hope for the future.

Dear Lord Jesus, we are sorry for our past trespasses. Thank you for the promise and faithfulness to redeem us through your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Please, do not cast us from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from us (Psalm 51:11). Thank you for your continued promises that you will never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:8; Hebrews 13:5). 

For those who have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour: This is a wonderful time to share the knowledge of salvation and His invitation to others. Take time to recognise God’s redemption for yourself, praise Him, and deepen your relationship with God to live your faith more fully.

For those who have not accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour: respond to His invitation to receive forgiveness for your past, embrace the promise of a new life for the present, and find hope for the future. Reflect on God’s promises and trust in God’s mercy.

Luke 1:67-79 is an intricately woven redemption story that highlights the continuity and fulfilment of God’s promises of redemption for ALL. It invites ALL to receive God’s mercy ALL-ways, to accept the promise of redemption that reconciles us to God, and continually be refreshed in Christ now and in the future – for His purposes.