The birth of Jesus was still months away, but through the loosened tongue of Zechariah, the Holy Spirit had a stunning message for his people. He revealed parts of the gospel that perhaps God’s people of the day were not anticipating. 2,000 years later, we are still frequently overlooking the depth and breadth of the message of the gospel.
We have often made a habit of reducing the gospel to an oversimplified message of the forgiveness of sins. Yes, the gospel features the incredible opportunity to be forgiven, a necessary prerequisite to being reconciled with God. But the reach of the gospel goes beyond the forgiveness of sins. Consider the deep truths included in Zechariah’s prophecy: God has visited his people and in so doing has provided redemption; He has saved us from our enemies, namely sin and death; in his mercy he has spared us from what we rightly deserve, his wrath; He has graciously allowed us to serve him, free from fear; He has made us holy and righteous forever through the perfect righteousness of Christ; His merciful compassion has lead us out of darkness and into light, out of death and into life, and to a place and state of true peace.
The gospel is more expansive than we can imagine. The implications of the advent of the messiah are far greater than we could ever comprehend. Even Zechariah's beautiful words of prophecy barely scratch the surface of all the gospel entails. The benefits of this glorious gospel are infinite and for those who embrace its truth, we will spend all of eternity wading in the bottomless depths of its rich waters.
Starter Prayer:
Father,
Thank you for the gospel. Thank you for your passionate pursuit of your people, including me. Help me to continually grasp more and more of the depth and breadth of the gospel. Help me to stop pursuing finite things for my satisfaction when infinite joy is found in knowing you and your truth.
Amen.
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