To read the texts click
on the texts:2 Sam 7:1-5, 8-12,14.16; Lk 1:67-79
Zechariah’s song, which
is traditionally called “The Benedictus” (Blessed), is the text which the
Church reads on the day before Christmas. It may be seen to be divided into two
parts. The first part praises God for his messianic deliverance and the second
speaks of John the Baptist’s role in this deliverance. The progression of thought in the Benedictus
shows that the true end of God’s redemption is not merely deliverance from
political domination, but the creation of conditions in which God’s people can worship
and serve God without fear. When people are released from external domination,
they can worship in peace. The people of God are a covenant people, saved and
rescued by the hand of God. God has
thereby fulfilled the promises to Abraham and to David. Holiness and
righteousness are to mark God’s people “all the days of our life”. The hymn
comes to a climax as it describes the place of John in God’s redemptive work.
John’s birth announced God’s new deliverance. John would be a prophet who would
go before the Lord. Four infinitives
outline the progress of God’s redemptive work. The first two describe the role
of John the Baptist. The last two allude to the inauguration of the kingdom,
“when the day shall dawn upon us from on high”.
The mark of the redeemed
is that they live out of the knowledge of God that has been given to them.
Darkness is dispelled by the revelation of God’s being and God’s grace toward
us. Finally, through John’s call for justice and righteousness, and far more
through Jesus’ unique ministry, God would “guide our feet into the way of
peace”.
The Benedictus links the
promise of salvation and redemption inseparably to the achievement of peace.
God’s people cannot have redemption without peace, for each is necessary for
the realization of the other. It affirms that God’s purposes are being
fulfilled in the delivering of his people from the hands of their oppressors.
Their feet are being guided in the way of peace so that they may worship
without fear.
No comments:
Post a Comment
You may use the "Anonymous" option to leave a comment if you do not possess a Google Account. But please leave your name and URL as www.errolsj.com