Don’t see the audio player? Click here.
The African bishop St. Augustine spoke truth when he said to God, “Thou has made us for thyself, and our hearts are restless until we find our rest in thee.” John the Baptist’s father Zechariah also knew that. After John was born, Zechariah was filled with joy. He spoke about the joy and rest the Messiah would bring for the human heart, and the role his son John would play as his forerunner. We read this in Luke 1:68: “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us.” God’s plan to bring physical deliverance to the earth is not yet complete. But Zechariah knew the birth of the Messiah was confirmation that God would keep His promise. Zechariah rejoiced that his son would prepare the way for the Messiah. He said, “The morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” Zechariah rejoiced that the Messiah would bring pardon for our sins and rest for our restless souls. He offers eternal life to all who accept Him.
