Zechariah's Song (Part 4)

His father finally turns his song's attention toward his son, John. For a moment.

In the grand scheme of things, John played a particular and singular role - preparing the way for Jesus. However, John’s role is all of our roles. When we remember that the season of Advent plays that dual role of remembering the time prior to the messiah’s coming (generations of waiting) and our current waiting for the Messiah’s second coming, we are thrust into our responsibility of preparing the world even today.

Maybe we won’t live in the wilderness and dress or eat funky, but it’s every Christian’s responsibility to clear the way for Jesus - in their own heart, in their home, in their spaces of responsibility, and beyond. This can be done in many, many ways. But it must be done.

Zechariah’s song has focused mostly on the coming of the messiah at this point. And for sure, even John’s role is actually about the messiah. But the two verses today are the first time in his song he acknowledges his own son’s role. What Jewish father wouldn’t be proud to think of his son playing this role?

But even here, the point is the coming messiah.

Luke 1:76-77

You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way. You will tell his people how to be saved through the forgiveness of their sins.

Malachi 3:1

Look, I am sending my messenger who will clear the path before me; suddenly the Lord whom you are seeking will come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you take delight is coming, says the Lord of heavenly forces.

Prayer

God,

Thank you for those who have gone before us to prepare the way—prophets, preachers, and ordinary people whose lives pointed to your truth. I think of those who’ve played this role in my own life - faithful people, speaking and demonstrating the way of Jesus. People close to me and those I’ve never met. Those still alive and those who died in my own lifetime and also long, long ago. I’m grateful for the tapestry that is the community of Christ’s Church, living and breathing across generations.

Show us how to clear the way for Jesus even today—in our own hearts, in the places we live and work, and in the relationships we hold dear. Help us to see where we can remove obstacles, build bridges, and shine light. Give us forbearance, that we might not grow impatient, but faithfully walk along, projections of Christ’s coming.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.