“The ONE!”

Following Mary and Elizabeth’s encounter as recorded by Luke in 1:39-56, Luke goes on in the following verses to announce the birth of John who would later be called John the Baptist.  If you remember the earlier story in Luke where the angel of the Lord came to Zacharias to tell him Elizabeth would give birth to a son who would be the forerunner to the Messiah.  Zacharias questioned the angel and his mouth was shut.  He could no longer speak.  It was not until after John’s birth when he was named by Zacharias, on a tablet when asked what he shall be called, that his mouth was opened and he cold speak again.  And my, was he able to speak!  I want you to hear what Zacharias had to say as recorded in: 

Luke 1:67-79:   

“And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying; ‘Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from the old, and from the hand of all who hate us; to show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to Abraham our father, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him  all our days.  And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the LORD to prepare His ways; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise form on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’”

I want you to notice that the Holy Spirit came upon Zacharias just as it had come upon Elizabeth before she spoke her blessed announcement to Mary.  Zacharias tells us that redemption has come, not in the person of his son, but in Jesus the Christ.  His son is prophet of the Most High who will prepare the people for His ways and guide them in the knowledge of salvation by forgiveness of their sins. 

What a blessed message from the father of John the Baptist.  He not only sets the stage for the ministry of his son, but the redemption through the promised ONE, Jesus Christ.  Jesus, the ONE, who brings Sunshine into darkness.  Jesus, the ONE, who guides us to eternal peace.  There is no other!

You see, all of the Journey to Bethlehem points to the ONE and only Jesus Christ, who came into the world that the world might be saved through Him.  There is no other way!  

On this Sunday, Christmas Day, let us again give thanks for the ONE, who was, who is, and is to come!!!  Hallelujah!!!

Merry Christmas to all of you,                                                                                                    Pastor Marty       

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