When Zacharias had his tongue unloosed so he could speak again, he “praised God” (Luke 1:64). The anthem of Zacharias is part of the wonderful praise which now came from the mouth of Zacharias, a mouth that earlier had spoken forth unbelief and had been silenced by God until the birth of John the Baptist. This anthem is called the “Benedictus” which comes from the first line of the anthem, namely, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel” (Luke 1:68).We note three main themes in this anthem.
1. The Salvation Theme (Luke 1:68–74)
The first theme in the anthem of Zacharias concerns salvation. It not only speaks of personal salvation but even more it speaks of the national salvation of Israel.
The perceiving for salvation. “He hath visited and redeemed his people” (Luke 1:68). The word translated “visited” is the word from which we get the word episcopal or overseer. It speaks of God visiting His people and seeing a problem and acting to correct the problem.
The power for salvation. “Hath raised up an horn of salvation” (Luke 1:69). The horn is the great weapon of an animal and its use in Scripture represents power. Salvation requires power (Romans 1:16).
The prophecy about salvation. “As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began” (Luke 1:70). The message of salvation has been coming to mankind ever since men prophesied. God has given men ample instruction about how to be saved.
The protection in salvation. “That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us” (Luke 1:71). This especially speaks of Israel as a nation. Israel has many enemies, but God will deliver Israel from them. Salvation for the individual is also seen here. The enemies of the individual include sin, self, and Satan.
The passion for salvation. “To perform the mercy promised to our fathers” (Luke 1:72). Salvation is always associated with mercy and grace. None merit Divine salvation; it is all of grace.
The promise of salvation. “To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; the oath which he sware to our father Abraham” (Luke 1:72,73). The promise of salvation for both Israel and the individual is a promise God will not break. However, you will not experience the promise if you do not receive the Savior. God did not promise to save everyone, but He promised to save those who receive Christ. Israel will not be saved until they accept Christ as their Messiah. No individual will be saved until they receive Christ as Savior.
2. The Service Theme (Luke 1:74,75)
Salvation brings service. Following the salvation theme, the anthem of Zacharias speaks of service.
The plea for service. “That he would grant unto us, that we … might serve him” (Luke 1:74). This plea does not sound like the typical church member who is inventing excuses to get out of any kind of serving responsibility.
The prerequisite to service. “That we being delivered” (Luke 1:74). Service follows salvation. It does not come before salvation. Salvation should motivate one to serve. Those who do not want to serve justify others questioning their salvation.
The pleasure of service. “Serve him without fear” (Luke 1:74). Serving God is joyous service. Serving sin is ruinous.
The purity for service. “In holiness and righteousness before him” (Luke 1:75). “Holy” service is the only kind that is “acceptable” (Romans 12:1) to the Lord. “Before him” says God determines the standards of holiness. Our churches could use much help in this area, for many serving in church are far from holy. The qualifications for church office in many churches do not stress holiness.
The permanency of service. “All the days of our life” (Luke 1:75). This speaks of a far greater commitment than most are willing to give. Short-term missionary service unfortunately describes too much so-called Christian service today.
3. The Servant Theme (Luke 1:76–79)
The last part of the anthem of Zacharias is about John the Baptist. It speaks of his calling and work and why he was brought into this world.
The position of the servant. “Thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest” (Luke 1:76). John the Baptist was a prophet and a prophet of God. The world did not call John by such high titles, but what heaven calls a man and what the world calls a man are often two very different things.
The place of the servant. “Thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways” (Luke 1:76). John was a herald of Jesus Christ. A herald goes before the dignitary and prepares the people and the path for the coming of the dignitary.
The proclaiming of the servant. “To give knowledge of salvation … by the remission of sins. Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us.” (Luke 1:77,78). John had a very important message of salvation to proclaim to the people. First, the message of salvation. “To give knowledge of salvation unto his people.” John was to make the people aware of how to be saved. No message is more important or valuable or needed. Second, the method of salvation. “Remission of their sins.” Salvation does not come via church membership, baptism, or good works but through the forgiveness and cleansing of a person’s sins. If you do not deal with the sin problem, you will not proclaim any salvation. Third, the mercy in salvation. “Through the tender mercy of our God.” There is no salvation apart from the mercy and grace of God. No one merits salvation. It is all of mercy and grace. Fourth, the Messiah in salvation. “Dayspring from on high hath visited us.” “Dayspring” pictures the coming of dawn which breaks the hold of darkness upon the earth. This speaks of the salvation of Israel as a nation. “The advent of Messiah as a sunrise was a favorite one with the prophets” (Bickersteth). It also speaks of Christ as the light of the world (John 8:12) in soul salvation.
The perception from the servant. “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death” (Luke 1:79). John’s ministry will turn the lights on so men can perceive Divine truth. Sin has left men in darkness. Men need to be shown the light, and John’s ministry will do just that.
The peace from the servant. “To guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79). Christ brings the greatest peace known to mankind. John’s ministry will guide people into this great peace by directing them to Jesus Christ. Of course people must follow John’s teaching or they will not know peace. Multitudes came to hear John preach, but many did not accept his message so they did not experience the great peace that comes via Jesus Christ.
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