Light of the World
by Maria Rudolph
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Shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace (Luke 1:79).
Read Luke 1:68–79
If you know our Lutheran liturgy, you may have been chanting today’s reading! The ‘Song of Zechariah’ appears toward the end of our order of ‘Matins’, composed by W Crotch in the 19th century.
The priest Zechariah and his elderly wife Elizabeth had been promised a child by God; however, Zechariah, much like Sarah in the Old Testament, doubted this would come to pass in his old age. He was struck with muteness for his distrust in God’s promises. He returned home to Elizabeth from temple duty, unable to speak. She mustn’t have minded his silent state, for they got close and conceived a child.
Zechariah remained silent throughout the pregnancy, which included a three-month visit from Mary. Elizabeth had become pregnant in her old age, and her relative Mary, who was still a virgin, had also fallen pregnant. Many ponderings must have gone on in Zechariah’s head as he silently sat there, listening to the two women in his house and contemplating the Scriptures and vision he’d had in the temple. And then, upon the birth of his son John, filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah prophesied after being freed from his muteness. And the words he says, the Song of Zechariah, are some of the greatest words of the whole Bible.
The final words of Zechariah’s song (Luke 1:79) are reminiscent of Isaiah 9:2: ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.’ The gospel writer Matthew quotes the same Scripture passage as he describes the beginning of the ministry of Jesus (Matthew 4:16). We know John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus, preparing the way of the Lord. But John’s father, Zechariah, was already a faithful forerunner himself.
I’m glad God chose imperfect, doubtful and yet faithful Zechariah to be part of the plan to prepare for the ministry of Jesus on earth. It gives me hope because I am imperfect, doubtful and yet faithful too. We all are all of those things. And yet God is working in and through us.
May we all continue to be attracted to the light of Christ and follow this holy torch as a lamp to our feet and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105).
Loving God, during this season of light in Advent and Christmas, please remind us that you are the Light of the World who has come to cast out the darkness and shine light into every hidden place. Your perfect love casts out all fear. With you, there is life to the full. May we always have the oil of your Holy Spirit in our lamps to keep our lights shining and to be ready and prepared for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Maria is overjoyed to be a candidate for ordination as a pastor of the LCANZ while serving the St Johns Perth congregation and supporting the ministry of her pastor husband, Michael, at Concordia Duncraig congregation in Western Australia. They are parents to three children who are busy with primary and secondary schooling. Maria also serves the church as a member of the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations.
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