David Bahn – Reflections

Luke 1:67-70

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

 ⁶⁸ “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
⁶⁹ and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
⁷⁰ as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old…

The songs of praise to God in Luke 1 & 2 are beautiful, and many are well known. Mary’s song, the Magnificat has been used as a basis for many classical and contemporary Christian hymns and songs. Simeon’s song is known as the Nunc dimittis expresses a longing dear to many in their final hours of life, “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word…” The song of the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth among those with whom he is pleased,” is well known. Many know the Latin (without knowing it!): “Gloria in excelsis Deo.”

Looking more closely at Zechariah’s lesser-known song in response to the birth of Elizabeth & his miracle boy, there is an interesting insight for us all. He lived – just as we do – in the now but not yet. On the one hand, God had visited and redeemed his people. On the other hand Jesus had not yet been born!

We live in that same now and not yet. Jesus has been born. He has lived, taught, healed, performed miracles, suffered, and died. He has risen from the dead and ascended to the right hand of God. It’s a done deal. But he is yet to come again: we wait for the fullness of His redemption to be consummated.

There are those times, however, between now and the End of all things, when God breaks into our lives and we experience his presence and redemption. In those times it is good, right and salutary to sing praises to God – just as Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon did (as recorded in Luke 1 & 2). How is God’s redemption showing up in your life today? Sing praise to Him!