NOTE: This post continues a series of writings through the book of Luke. See the previous post here.

Zechariah has been mute for months and now opens his mouth. 

God has given Zechariah even more than he originally desired. He wanted a child; God has given him a son and also a word. The same mouth that God closed will now bless the Lord and bless others. Zechariah’s prophecy is not only for him—it is for all those around him. He will remind others who God has been and insist that God is moving even now to deliver them.

Zechariah transitions from the faithful action of God to the future work of his son, John. Zechariah knows that the Lord’s gift is the Lord’s to employ for his good purposes. The son of the once-silent man will be the Messiah’s herald, the voice calling out, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He will prepare the Lord’s way and give knowledge of salvation. He will give light to those in darkness and guide their feet into the way of peace. His entire existence will be marked by pointing toward the Messiah for his glory and the good of others. 

Meanwhile the once-silent God now speaks through this man, Zechariah, an old priest who has seen much and suffered long. Though he has suffered, God has not forgotten him. God has remembered him. In some ways he was just another priest, and yet God had chosen him in a very specific time and place. Likewise each of us is just another person in God’s kingdom, and yet God has chosen us and given us various assignments in this world for his glory. 

Now we can say with Zechariah that the Lord God has visited and redeemed us, and we may now serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness all our days.