Dayspring

The Passage

Luke 1:67-80 NKJV

"67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

68 "Blessed is 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, Who have been since the world began, 71 That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: 74 To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; 79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace."

80 So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel."

A Little Background

When God pronounced judgment on Adam and Eve in the Garden for their rebellion, He also made a solemn promise or covenant that a “seed” or child would be born who would crush the head of Satan.  Throughout the Old Testament God reaffirmed that promise.  He called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees (modern-day Iraq) to a land that would be set apart for Him.  And He began a nation through Abraham.  God revealed Himself throughout Israel’s history in preparation for the time when He would ultimately take on human flesh and come Himself to purchase mankind back to Himself.  

Some Explanation

First Elizabeth and John in his mother’s womb, and now Zacharias, are all filled with the Holy Spirit to make pronouncements that these events are God’s works.  Zacharias had been mute for nine months.  Now that he could speak he had quite a lot to say.  Zacharias reminded the people that what God had promised, He was about to fulfill, so that we “...might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.”

This passage is Zacharias’ declaration or prophecy that his son John’s life was set apart for God’s use from his conception.  John would not make life choices for his own goals and desires.  His life would point to the Lord Jesus who would “... give knowledge of salvation to His [God’s] people by the remission of their sins.”  Jesus indeed would heal the sick and feed the poor.  He taught the people, modeled true righteousness, and rebuked hypocrisy.  But above all, Jesus would bring salvation and remission [forgiveness, pardon] for sin.

Observations and Insights

Zacharias’ prophecy declared that through God’s tender mercy the “Dayspring from on high” had come.  The Greek word, anatolē, here is only translated as “dayspring” in this one passage.  In other places it is translated as the east.  The description tells us that the coming of Jesus is like the sun rising up from the east bringing light into darkness.  We live in darkness without the Lord Jesus deserving only the judgment of God.  But because of His tender mercy, God sent the Dayspring into our darkness. 

Another form of the word anatolē, is found in Mark 16:2, when the women brought spices to anoint the body of Jesus. Jesus had been crucified and buried bearing the punishment of our sins on the cross.  BUT early in the morning at the rising of the sun [anatellō], they discovered His body wasn’t there.  He had risen!

Dr. Henry Morris from Institute for Creation Research writes:

“There is another great sunrise coming, as promised in the last chapter of the Old Testament. "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings" (Malachi 4:2). He who is Himself "the light of the world" (John 8:12) will someday even replace the sun in the new Jerusalem. There will never be another sunrise after that, for "there shall be no night there . . . neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light" (Revelation 22:5).” (Source)

As I have read through the Gospel Harmony, my heart has been  focused on the Lord Jesus in ways I have not experienced before.  I am growing more in my love for Him each day.  I pray that you, too, are enjoying this study.  May the Dayspring, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself be the focus of your life and fill you with light and life as you grow in your walk with Him.  
Next:      Matthew 1:18-25