For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”
If this is the messenger then what shall be the message? He is like Samson, dedicated to the LORD from birth, announced by an angel, and born to a woman thought barren. He prepares the way of the LORD before him. He comes in the spirit and power of Elijah (cf. Luk. 1:17). Elijah is in many ways the prophet of prophets. At the transfiguration he represents all of the prophets of the Old Testament. But of all born of woman there is no one greater than John (cf. Luk. 7:28). One this great isn't here for his own sake? That should make us pay attention. Yet he must decrease so the one he proclaims can increase (cf. Joh. 3:30). He does not consider himself worthy to untie the sandals of the one whose way he prepares (cf. Mar. 1:7).
And suddenly there will come to the temple
the LORD whom you seek,
And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.
This is the one who John proclaims. But there is a real reason we need such preparation. We don't want to be caught off guard by the one who comes. But why not? If he were simply a spiritual Santa Claus we would have no need to fear. But he is not.
But who will endure the day of his coming?
And who can stand when he appears?
Jesus comes so "that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD". This is the "pure offering" which will be offered in every place "from the rising of the sun to its setting" (cf. Mal. 1:11). This is Jesus himself. But it is also us. "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" (cf. Rom 12:1).
The point is that this isn't just something we passively experience. The child is born unto us. We are called, "Lift up your heads and see" but not simply so that we can look. He is not born just for us to look upon. He becomes a child that we may enter into his childhood and so become children of our heavenly Father. He is born for our redemption which is now "near at hand." It is so near indeed that it can be touched by our hands. Our redemption has hands with which to embrace us. We are called to repentance. We are called to be so near to him that his obedience to the will of the Father marks our lives as well.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.
Just like Zechariah we all doubt at times. We aren't ready for God to meet us in our daily lives. We get caught up in business as usual. It steals our trust in God's power and our ability to proclaim his praise. The messenger comes to prepare our hearts this morning with new faith and hope. He comes to free our tongues to sing the saviors praises.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
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