Have you ever had a foreknowledge about an aspect or a situation regarding your child that you absolutely saw coming? We call that a mother’s or father’s intuition, and I do believe we are biologically, spiritually, or mentally in tune with the small people we are entrusted to raise. In healthy families, there is a deep soul-connection between parent and child that is a link we can’t sever or ignore.

In our passage today, a man named Zacharias is holding his newborn son John. The birth of his first born has resulted in a kind of prophecy and foreknowledge that hasn’t been experienced in Israel for 400 years. Suddenly, Gabriel, Elizabeth, Mary, and Zacharias are infused with the word of God about the arrival of a long-awaited Messiah, and the glory of God shone around them. Zacharias begins with a word of praise for the power of God:

Luke 1 (Common English Bible)

“Bless the Lord God of Israel
    because he has come to help and has delivered his people.
⁶⁹ He has raised up a mighty savior for us in his servant David’s house,
⁷⁰     just as he said through the mouths of his holy prophets long ago.
⁷¹ He has brought salvation from our enemies
    and from the power of all those who hate us.

Remember that Jesus wasn’t born yet. He came a few months after John’s arrival, yet John’s father was filled with anticipatory hope about the savior who was about to come. As he looks forward, he remembers the past:

⁷² He has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
    and remembered his holy covenant,
⁷³         the solemn pledge he made to our ancestor Abraham.
He has granted ⁷⁴ that we would be rescued
        from the power of our enemies
    so that we could serve him without fear,
⁷⁵         in holiness and righteousness in God’s eyes,
            for as long as we live.

After acknowledging Jesus, he turns now to address his baby son:

⁷⁶ You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High,
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
⁷⁷ You will tell his people how to be saved
    through the forgiveness of their sins.
⁷⁸ Because of our God’s deep compassion,
    the dawn from heaven will break upon us,
⁷⁹     to give light to those who are sitting in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,
        to guide us on the path of peace.”

This beautiful “Benedictus” (from the Latin meaning “blessed” and “to wish well”) is meant for us as well. Read that again and imagine God saying that to you. You, child, are called to go and tell the people how to be saved. You, child, are to help people heal through the forgiveness of sins. You, child, will give light to those who are sitting in darkness.

So, you, child have received the blessing of knowing Jesus. How will you fulfill your prophecy today? Go and tell.

Waves of Well Wishes by Michelle Robertson