Sermon Title: The Benedictus part 1 (a name that comes
from the first word of the hymn in the Latin version)
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:57-80
Review
Last week we took a break from our study through the
Gospel according to Luke to study Biblical Church membership. The two weeks
prior to last week we studied through five observations in Mary’s song of
praise (Magnificat).
Introduction
Mary’s song of praise (1:46-55) and Zechariah’s song of
praise (1:67-79) are bridged by the birth of John the Baptist (1:56-66). One important note at the outset: The maturing of pious
Zechariah’s faith pictures one who struggles to accept what God has promised.
Zechariah shows that even the faith of pious people can pause, and then develop
added depth. It is important that the example is a man whose piety was highly
commended by God before his doubting and cursing (1:6).[3]
Unfortunately, many of us dangerously mistake knowing
with growing. The lesson that knowledgeable and experienced Zechariah learns is
important, especially to those who have a rich spiritual heritage. Zechariah is
a man of lifelong faith who still needed to grow.4 Knowing is part of growing.
However, if we are not progressing in unwavering trust in God, increasing
humility, proven approachability, an eager longing for the Word and prayer, a
sensitive conscience, a pliable heart, a teachable spirit, a priority of unseen
service, and holiness, than I would submit instead of our knowledge being
profitable, it only leaves us more accountable.
It is very reasonable to believe that Zechariah spent
nine months deaf and dumb (v. 62). “I cannot pass over this experience of
Zechariah without making an application for our day. And it is this: If we
don’t seek out silence, we will probably not feel the stupendous significance
of God’s work in history on our lives. It is a rare thing to be gripped and
moved deeply in a noisy room. There is a close correlation between stillness
and a sense of the stupendous. The most astonishing things about reality will
probably be missed by those who use the radio, TV, and busyness (busyness is my
addition) for a constant background drone.”[6]
- Psalm 46:10, “be still and know I am God.”
- Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:25-26, 28-29, “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord…Let him sit alone in silence when it is laid on him; let him put his mouth in the dust – there may yet be hope;..”
- Most of the Psalms were written in solitude; Elijah was asked to sit by the brook Cherith for three years and wait for God; John the Baptist was alone in the wilderness; Jesus often withdrew into solitude to pray; etc.
The Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:56-66)
When the crowd attempted to persuade Elizabeth to name
the child after Zechariah (v. 59), she replied emphatically “ouchi” [u-hee] (no
indeed). "Ouchi" is an emphatic and could be translated, “no way.”[2]
The crowd was not satisfied with Elizabeth’s answer, and
therefore went “above her head” to ask Zechariah (v. 62). Zechariah’s reply was
all the more emphatic. The change in tense between 1:60 and 1:63 is emphatic.
Elizabeth had said that the child “shall be called John” (v. 60), but Zechariah
declared that “his name is John” (v. 63). Through his silence, Zechariah
learned to trust God’s Word and the curse was lifted (v. 64).
John is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Johanan, which
means, “God is gracious.” The meaning of names in this culture carried great
significance. Zechariah means “God remembers” (is faithful to His promises),
while Elizabeth may mean “my God has sworn.” In other words, He is the
absolutely reliable One (William Hendriksen, The Gospel of Luke [Grand Rapids:
Baker, 1978], 65).
Zechariah’s Song of Salvation and Prophesy (Luke 1:67-79)
Though John is the child born, Zechariah’s hymn possessed
an unwavering emphasis on the person to whom John will point. Think about it,
the best thing that could happen to this guy is to have a son and his focus is
on praising God for Christ. Like Mary, Zechariah’s song was in Spirit and Truth (v.
67).
The Response to Mercy is Joy (vv. 58, 68-79).
In the first two chapters of his gospel account, Luke
records five songs of praise (Elizabeth 1:41-45, Mary 1:46-55, Zechariah
1:67-79, the angels who announced Christ’s birth 2:13-14, and Simeon 2:25-32).
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and
admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or
deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through him” (Colossians 3:16-17). “I will sing to the Lord, because He
has dealt bountifully with me” (Psalm 13:6).
Obedience Commanded is Joy Demanded
“The Bible does not teach that we should treat delight as
a mere by-product of duty. C.S. Lewis got it right when he wrote to a friend,
‘It is a Christian duty for everyone to be as happy as he can.’ [Once Tim
Keller mentioned that their Elder session would not admit an Elder candidate
because he was not happy enough] Joy is not a spin-off of obedience; joy is
obedience to God because we are commanded to rejoice in God. ‘Because you did
not serve the LORD your God with joy and a glad heart…therefore you shall serve
your enemies’ (Deuteronomy 28:47-48). ‘Serve the LORD with gladness’ (Psalm
100:2). ‘Delight yourself in the LORD’ (Psalm 37:4). ‘In your presence there is
fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever’ (Psalm 16:11).
‘Blessed are you when people insult you…rejoice and be glad, for your reward in
heaven is great’ (Matthew 5:11-12). ‘Consider it all joy when you encounter
various trials’ (James 1:2). ‘Rejoice in the Lord always’ (Philippians 4:4).
‘All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means
they employ, they all tend to this end…The will never takes the least step but
to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those
who hang themselves.’”[7]
“I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and
that your joy may be made full” (John 15:11).
Close with the following:
- What should a Christian do if the cheerfulness of obedience is not there (The Dangerous Duty of Delight by John Piper pp. 24-25).
- The Christian “Mean Streak” in Self-Control (When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper pp. 102-104).
- Sproul, R.C. The Reformation Study Bible. Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 2005.
- MacArthur, John. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Luke 1-5. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2009.
- Brock, Darrell. Luke 1:1-9:50. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1994.
- Brock, Darrell. The NIV Application Commentary: Luke. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996.
- Ryle, J.C. Luke. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1997.
- A Sermon by John Piper: Jesus is the Horn of Salvation. The sermon was preached at Bethlehem Baptist Church on December 14, 1980 and can be accessed at http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/jesus-is-the-horn-of-salvation.
- Piper, John. The Dangerous Duty of Delight. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Multnomah Books, 2011.
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