THE HOPE OF SALVATION

The hymn writer had it right:

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,

The Light of the world is Jesus! 

Like sunshine at noonday, His glory shone in;

The Light of the world is Jesus! 

Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;

Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;

Once I was blind, but now I can see:

The Light of the world is Jesus!” (P.P. Bliss) 

 That light of hope was about to dawn in the arrival of the Savior.  That dawn would be preceded by six months in the birth of His forerunner, John the Baptist.

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79) 

Zacharias had been mute because of his unbelief.  The angel Gabriel had told the old priest that he would be a daddy for the first time—and he wouldn’t believe it.  So, he was made mute as a discipline on his doubt.  Nine months later, the little one enters the world and when they want to name him, Zach Junior, his Pop writes that he is to be called John.

Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son.  When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.  So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias.  His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”  But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”  So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.  And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled.  Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.  Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea.  And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.  Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:  (Luke 1:57-67). 

Now, the old man’s tongue is loose and he not only speaks, but he sings a song of salvation!  It is a prophetic psalm.  While I can’t name the tune, we can study the text—and that we will do this week in considering this hymn of hope—the hope of salvation!