76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."
These words spoken by Zechariah about his son John the Baptist regarding his life’s work, should be applied to every follower of Christ. We are going before Christ to prepare the way for His return. We are to give people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins. We are to tell of the “tender mercies” of our God. We are to “shine” on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death. We are to walk in peace. Jesus stated that no one born among women was greater than John the Baptist: 11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matt 11:11 (NIV)
I love what The Bible Knowledge Commentary says about the above verse: “The privileges of Jesus’ disciples sharing in the kingdom will be far greater than anything anyone could experience on earth.” That should give us pause about living for the here and now instead of choosing to live for eternity! One of the reasons we are hesitant in giving people “the knowledge of salvation” is that we are woefully lacking in our understanding and familiarity of it! Christ desires for His followers to go in His authority and to make disciples. We are commanded to know God’s word and to teach and share it with others:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15 (NIV)
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Tim 4:2-4 (NIV)
We are also to tell of the tender mercies of our God. I love the Greek definitions here. The two Greek words used are “Splanchnon’ meaning “inward parts of the body; of emotions: heart, affection, tenderness, compassion” and “Eleos” meaning “mercy, compassion; God’s tender regard for the misery of man consequent to sin, and entails all that He performs to alleviate man’s plight and remove the curse of sin.” Every person alive can relate to the misery of sin. If we breathe we are aware of pain, of trials, of tribulations, of hurt, of death. Sin affects everyone. No one is beyond its grasp. What we offer to others is the removal of its curse through the acceptance of what Christ accomplished on the cross. We do not offer a “pain free” living, we offer the ability to stand firm within our circumstances, through Christ’s power, mature and fully assured and with great peace and joy. Abundant living amid trials and tribulations – that is definitely Good News! We are told to “shine” – to give His light to others. Jesus tells us in Matthew: 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matt 5:14-16 (NIV) Everything we do should point others to Christ (ouch). Unfortunately, many of our actions turn unbelievers against Him. For us to be “hard-hearted, letter of the law insistent – unmoved by any extenuating circumstances” (Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible) violates the very essence of the law. The commands were given out of love and to love. Love, as you know, never fails (I Corinthians 13:8). Lastly, walk in peace. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalms 34:14 (NIV)
37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. Psalms 37:37 (NIV)