{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Luke: Benedictus Dominus","description":"Scripture Reading: Luke 1:67-80 Much like Mary's song of praise, upon hearing about the child she would bear, so Zechariah has a song of praise after his son is born.  We might expect that Zechariah's expressions would center on his beloved son.  He does mention the boy (Lk 1:76), but the focus of this blessed exaltation of praise is on the Lord God and the One whom He will send. The word 'salvation' is mentioned three times in this declaration (Lk 1:69,71,77).  The song may be divided into two sections.  First, Luke 1:68-75 refers to a future national 'salvation' in which Israel will be 'saved' from her enemies (1:71,74).  The prophesied Messiah would be a King who would restore the nation of Israel. Second, Luke 1:76-79 refers to a spiritual 'salvation' in which people of faith would experience forgiveness of sins (Lk 1:77) and be rescued from the darkness (Lk 1:79). It is significant that Zechariah mentions the resultant purpose for God's salvation, namely that His people might "serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness" (Lk 1:74,75).  God's salvation is not an 'end'.  It is a 'means' to an 'end' ... which is the everlasting glory of the grace of God in Christ.  God saved us to serve Him, which was His plan from the beginning (Eph 2:10). ","author_name":"Bethel Baptist Church","author_url":"https:\/\/bethelbaptistscs.org\/","html":"