This is Zechariah’s song, which he sang after being filled with the Holy Spirit. The song is structured around the “visitation” that Zechariah saw that God was bringing about through his prophet John, and was in fulfillment of the Old Testament promises and prophecies. Zechariah spoke of the promised Messiah who would come and rescue God’s people from their enemies. Zechariah also spoke of God’s plan for his baby son John. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous and blameless before God at a time when God had been silent for 400 years. God’s plan for Zechariah and Elizabeth was for them to be the parents of John who would be His messenger to prepare His people for the coming Messiah, Jesus.
Luke 1:67-80 EASY> The Holy Spirit filled John’s father, Zechariah, so that he spoke God’s message: ‘The Lord God of Israel is great. He has come to save his people. He has come to make them free. He has sent a very strong person who will save us. This person comes from the family of his servant, King David. Long ago, God promised that he would do this. He gave his own prophets this message to speak. God will save us from our enemies. He will save us from everyone that hates us. He has promised to be kind to our ancestors. He will do the things that he promised in his holy covenant. Yes, he will remember the strong promises that he made to Abraham. God said, “I will keep you safe from your enemies. Then you can serve me and not be afraid. You can live in a way that is good and right. You can do this all your lives.” ’ Zechariah then spoke to John: ‘You, my child, will be called a prophet of the powerful God who is overall. You will go in front of the Lord to prepare a way for him. You will tell God’s people how God can save them. They have done wrong things but God will forgive them. Our God will forgive us because he is very kind. He will send someone from the highest place. When this person comes, it will be like the sunrise for us. He will bring light to people who are living without God. It is like those people are living in the dark. They are afraid to die. But he will shine on them. He will show us how to live so that we will not be afraid.’ Zechariah’s child grew. God made him strong in his mind. He went into the wilderness and he lived there for many years. Later, God sent him to Israel’s people, to teach them.