“And you will be called Prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways; to rekindle an awareness in the forgiveness of their sins.” ~ Jesus (Luke 1:76-77)

 

Note first & foremost that this prophecy was not given by Jesus himself, nor was it even given about Jesus.  Rather, these words were uttered by Zechariah for his son (John the Baptist) shortly after his birth.  That having been said, this prophecy does reflect the words uttered by Jesus in Luke 4 – the only time in the Bible we see him reading from the Old Testament scrolls directly – when he says, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19 – quoting from Isaiah 61) …

Note also that John’s purpose was to prepare God’s ways (a la “make the way straight” from Isaiah II, Jesus’ favorite Old Testament scroll – see Isaiah 40:3), not to prepare humanity for any subsequent “savior.”

Note as well, and far more importantly, that this particular prophecy succinctly (and quite brilliantly) reflects Jesus’ ministry as a whole – quite accurately reflects his focus on a Love that was wholly unconditional and a Grace that was to be given to all without end …

And finally, please note that the call herein was not for the direct forgiveness of sins from a celestial Judge “on high”, but rather was offered to rekindle an awareness of the innate ability we all have to forgive others their sins – and thereby cleanse our own as well.

 

 

Filed under: My Favorite Verses by Scaughdt