The Benedictus

Order of Service

• Call to Worship — Isaiah 9:2-7
• Prayer of Invocation
• Confession of Faith — Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 8
• Scripture Reading — Malachi 4:1-6
• Pastoral Prayer
• Sermon
• Benediction

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Sermon Title: The Benedictus

Scripture: Luke 1:67-80

I. Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant

A. Zechariah opens with language borrowed from 1 Kings 1:48, applying David's words at Solomon's enthronement to the birth of David's greater Son B. The Davidic covenant promises of 2 Samuel 7:16 — an eternal throne and house — find their fulfillment in Christ

1. Gabriel's announcement to Mary in Luke 1:32 explicitly identifies Jesus as heir to David's throne
2. The "horn of salvation" in verse 69 echoes David's own language in 2 Samuel 22:3 and Psalm 18:2
3. The promise of rest from enemies in verse 71 recalls 2 Samuel 7:11

C. Application: Augustine's The City of God (written after the sack of Rome in A.D. 410) reminds believers that earthly kingdoms are fleeting, but Christ's kingdom is eternal and secure

1. Christians need not be dejected by the decline of earthly nations; we are citizens of the city of God
2. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism affirms, Christ as King restrains and conquers all his and our enemies

II. Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant

A. Zechariah's language in verses 72–75 draws on Israel's bondage in Egypt and God's covenant remembrance in Exodus 2:23-24

1. God delivered Israel from Egypt so they might serve him in holiness and righteousness (Exodus 7:16, Exodus 8:1)
2. Luke presents Jesus' birth as a new Exodus, demonstrating God's fidelity to his covenant with Abraham

B. The "oath sworn to Abraham" in verse 73 points to Genesis 22:16-17, where God swears to bless Abraham after he willingly offered Isaac on Mount Moriah

1. God provided a substitute ram so that Abraham's son would not die
2. God's covenant oath to Abraham is sealed not with Abraham's son's blood, but with his own Son's blood — there is no substitute for Jesus

C. Application: As God looked upon the infant Jesus in Bethlehem, he knew this child was born to die so that the promises made to Abraham might be fulfilled for all who believe

III. Jesus as the Fulfillment of the New Covenant

A. In verses 76–79, Zechariah turns to his son John, who will prepare the way for the Lord, fulfilling Malachi 3:1

1. John is called "prophet of the Most High"; Jesus is called "Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:32) — a clear identification of Jesus with Yahweh himself
2. The sunrise that visits "from on high" (verse 78) originates in heaven, identifying Jesus as God come down to redeem his people

B. The purpose of Christ's coming is forgiveness of sins (verse 77), fulfilling the new covenant promise of Jeremiah 31:34: "I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more"

1. The new covenant also gathers up and fulfills the Abrahamic, Davidic, Noahic, and Mosaic covenants — all administrations of the one covenant of grace
2. God's "visitation" language in verses 68 and 78 is a rich Old Testament theme; Jesus' own use of it in Luke 19:44 confirms that his coming is Yahweh's long-promised visit to redeem his people

C. To reject Christ is to reject Yahweh's visitation and remain in bondage to sin and death; to embrace Christ is to receive light in the darkness and the shadow of death (verse 79)

D. Application: The incarnation is the "spectacles" through which we see the Father clearly — a tender, merciful God who visits his people to redeem them

1. In Christ we see the Father fully: his beauty, mercy, grace, and love displayed in the innocent child in the manger
2. All the covenantal promises of God find their Yes and Amen in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20)