Advent 2021: Week 2 Devotional

Luke 1:67-79 ESV [67] And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, [68] “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people [69] and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, [70] as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, [71] that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; [72] to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, [73] the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us [74] that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, [75] in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. [76] And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, [77] to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, [78] because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high [79] to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Looking into the above passage, we can see how Zechariah points out the fulfilment of what God has said through the Old Testament prophets (Luke 1:70, 72). What was mentioned by many prophets of the coming of Jesus Christ was finally being fulfilled! This not only shows us the hope people had in the past, but also shows for us the hope that we should have of the future — especially of Jesus's second coming to save His people who are eagerly waiting for Him (Hebrew 9:27-28). This is the hope that we should all have, as it is foretold to us in the Bible, just as Zechariah had hope from the Old Testament prophets.

Further more, we see the heart of praise Zechariah had to God (Luke 1:68, 78), as he mentions the "knowledge of salvation" that Christ brings (Luke 1:69,77). What great news that is for everyone. Imagine you're stuck a dark tunnel and cannot see anything, then someone with a torch light appears, and guides you out of the tunnel. This is exactly what Jesus did when we were lost: ''to give light to those who sit in the darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79). How peaceful it is to know that Jesus Christ had come to guide us to the way of peace; that we are no longer held down by the eternal consequence of sin. This is the peace that we should dwell on: that he laid the path of guidance and a way to peace for not only today, but also tomorrow (and into the future) on this tough journey on earth towards his second coming.

Lastly, to conclude, how great is the Father's love for us! This passage is a prophesy of Jesus Christ. God the father was willing to send His Son to earth, and we all know what happens to Him near the end — he was crucified!

As most of you might know, at the end of last year I became a father. This passage shows God's great love, that from the days of old He was prepared to send Jesus. If I were to give my son away to be slaughtered to save people, I honestly would not even think about it. This is the love that we should dwell on, that He gave His one and only Son for us to be saved. God's love is never-ending. And in light of that love we are walking today on the path that Jesus has paved, and towards the future until His return.

"If I were to give my son away to be slaughtered to save people, I honestly would not even think about it"

As we approach the nearing of Christmas just around the corner, for some people it’s a time where things get busy, as they prepare for a festive season of celebration, going on holidays or just relaxing at home. But through this period let us really reflect and dwell on what this season means for us as Christians. Prepare our hearts and dwell on the story of Jesus Christ so that we can prepare ourselves everyday for His second Advent.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that we are able to dwell deep into Your Word. As we come nearer to the time of Christmas, please help us to seek You as we remember the birth of Jesus Christ, His crucifixion and His overcoming of death.

Help us to see the hope that You had given from the prophesy of the birth of Jesus and to His second coming, so that we are able to continue to dwell on the love that You poured out to us. We pray that we are able to live every day on this earth in the light of Your love and the hope of Your return as we eagerly wait. We pray this in Jesus name, Amen.