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Today’s Text

The first chapter of Luke’s gospel is a study in contrast. He consciously works both ends of the spectrum. Like a good Greek historian, he starts with a word to his patron and a dscription of the geopolitical setting. Like a good Hebrew historian, he then focuses on God and a few individuals, and he relates intimate details and emotions. But this stylistic blend is just the first of many contrasting pairs.
Two visions, One to a priest in the temple in Jerusalem, the other to a girl in a village in Nazareth.

Two responses, one skeptical, one awefilled.

Two miraculous births, one old school (Aged barren couple is given a child to dedicate to the Lord, this plot line is almost overused in scritpure.) and one totally new and completely unexpected (No one was expecting a virgin to conceive and bear a son, no matter what Handel’s Messiah may say.)

Two sons, one a life-changing prophet (14-17) and one an eternal king (32-34).

Two names, John a name that had never been in the family, Jesus named for his dad. (ie. his heavenly father).

But the contrast that most intrigues me is that contrast between regime change and life change. Mary’s song is all about regime change. (Notice how her song connects with the Angels description in 33-34) In contrast, Zechariah’s song includes some regime change elements but they all have a more personal flavor. (Again this is in keeping with the personal tone of the Angels announcement in 14-17) His song seems to be anticipating the personal impact that his great upheaval will have. And he ends by anticipating a very personal transformation that is coming.

And you child, will be called the Prophet of the most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of ssalvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins,
through the tender mercy of our God,
when the day shall dawn upon us from on high

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.

As Christians, we are used to talking about personal salvation and not used to talking about transforming the sturctures of the world so that they are brought under the reign of God. So to us it is the Magnificat (mary’s song) that sounds strange. But in some ways it is Zechariah’s songs, which explores the personal dimensions of the coming gospel that is really new. The Hebrew usually anticipated God’s great work in national terms. This personal picture of redemption would have been strange to their ears.
So we need to notice that both the narrative structure and the content call us to pay attention to both the global and personal implications of the Gospel. The good news is that God is establishing a kingdom that will overturn and subvert the kingdoms of the world. The good news is also that God offers forgiveness and salvation that can overturn the darkness in our lives. And if we ever forget we can just return to the songs of Mary and Zechariah.

-Ethan