Learning About Salvation and Forgiveness

Scripture:
And child, you will be called
a prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare His ways,
to give His people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins.
Because of our God’s merciful compassion,
the Dawn from on high will visit us
to shine on those who live in darkness
and the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luke 1:76-79

Observation: While Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, is often thought of in a less favorable light because he did not immediately believe Gabriel, he is actually very faithful in the scriptures. He serves dutifully as a priest. Verse 6 says he is "righteous" and lives "without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord". Despite being struck mute, he remains fully obedient to God, and the instant his muteness is removed he praises God. He then delivers specific and direct prophesy.

Zechariah's prophesy is clear and specific. He declares that John will be called a prophet, and that he will be the one who goes before the Lord (Messiah) to prepare his way. He further defines what that preparation looks like - something Isaiah did not originally do - in that John will educate people about that nature of salvation and forgiveness. This is the message that is necessary for others to be prepared for the message of Jesus. They must understand the nature of salvation ... that we are removed from God through sin and thus require an act of mercy from God in order to draw near him and receive eternal salvation. And they must understand the nature of forgiveness ... that sin itself must also be addressed by God's decision to forgive and ignore our transgressions.

Application: John provides the framework to understanding Jesus as the Messiah. In order to understand Jesus as the Messiah, everyone - even today - must also understand the nature of sin, their need for forgiveness, and the resulting salvation available to them. Without this, they can 'logically' understand the message of Jesus, but they struggle with true belief because they don't connect emotionally with the need for Jesus.

This was a lesson I had to learn ... it is necessary to understand Jesus in our hearts, and not just logically in our minds. Understanding the law is a matter of the mind, and it is insufficient. Receiving the free gifts of Jesus - forgiveness of sin and salvation through faith - are matters of the heart and soul, and they are all sufficient.

Prayer: Lord, I used to only have head knowledge of you, and thus did not believe in Jesus. Now I have faith in Jesus, and thus trust in your forgiveness and salvation through your love. However, sometimes I now lose the knowledge of your teachings. Help me to retain all three, and act in a manner consistent with my unified mind, heart, and soul, at all times. Amen.