Take a moment to think about your relationship with God. What does it look like right now? If we are honest with ourselves, we recognize that we all have room to grow. In Luke 1:68–79, Zechariah’s prophecy gives us a beautiful picture of God’s relationship with His people. This relationship, like every other relationship, involves two parts: God’s part and our part. As we consider who God is and what He has done for us, we must also consider how we should respond to Him.
First, let’s consider God’s part in the relationship (Luke 1:68–74a). We serve a God of salvation (Luke 1:68–72). One of the interesting things about this passage is that Zechariah describes God’s work in the past tense, celebrating a victory that has not yet been fully narrated in Luke’s Gospel. John the Baptist has been born, and Jesus will soon be born. God’s plan is progressing, and the message is clear: God has already won! Through Jesus and what He would ultimately accomplish through His death, burial, and resurrection, God has visited His people and redeemed them (Luke 1:68). He has provided a powerful avenue of salvation, described as a “horn of salvation” (Luke 1:69). He has made a way for His people to be saved from their enemies and from those who hate them (Luke 1:71). Most importantly, He has provided a way for us to receive His mercy (Luke 1:72).
We also serve a God of faithfulness (Luke 1:70–73). God’s salvation was not an afterthought. It was spoken through His holy prophets, promised to the fathers, and rooted in the covenant God made with Abraham. God remembered His holy covenant and remained faithful to His promises. When God makes a promise, we can trust Him to keep it. Hebrews 10:23 reminds us to hold fast to our confession of hope without wavering because “he who promised is faithful.”
How should we respond? We must also consider our part in the relationship (Luke 1:74b–79). First, we should respond to God in obedience (Luke 1:74–75). Why has God provided salvation? Zechariah explains that it is so “we might serve him” (Luke 1:74). When we realize what God has done for us, our response should be, “God, I realize what You have done for me. What can I do to serve You?” Zechariah describes three characteristics of this service. We are to serve God “without fear” (Luke 1:74). Because of His salvation and faithfulness, we can serve Him with confidence and boldness. We are to serve Him “in holiness” (Luke 1:75). To be holy means to be set apart for God and His glory. We are to serve Him “in righteousness” (Luke 1:75), doing what is right and good according to His will. How long should we serve God? Zechariah says, “all our days” (Luke 1:75). Our relationship with God should not be limited to Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings. It should define who we are and influence every decision we make for as long as we live.
Second, we should become a people of proclamation (Luke 1:76–79). When we understand who God is and what He has done, we cannot keep that message to ourselves. We should not only serve Him but also share Him with others. Zechariah describes John the Baptist’s mission: to prepare the way for the Lord, give people knowledge of salvation, show them how to receive forgiveness of sins, give light to those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, and guide their feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:76–79). There are people in our lives who lack the knowledge of salvation. There are people who do not know how to have their sins forgiven, who are sitting in darkness, and who are not at peace with God. Why not be the one to tell them how they can be saved?
God’s relationship with His people involves two parts. God has done His part as a God of salvation and faithfulness. Our response should be a life of obedience and proclamation. When I think about this relationship, I am reminded of the opening words of Zechariah’s prophecy: “Blessed be the Lord” (Luke 1:68). Praise be to the Lord! God, thank You for pursuing a relationship with me and allowing me to pursue a relationship with You.
Tyler Alverson
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