It’s almost Christmas. The Christmas tree has been dragged out of dusty attic storage (or cut down at the tree farm) and Christmas music plays repeatedly on the radio, your Spotify playlist, and at church. It feels like all your spare time is occupied by family gatherings, company parties, and purchasing gifts. An Advent devotional sits on your coffee table, next to stacks of Christmas cards that need to be mailed. Despite the Christmas lights, the ornaments on the tree, and a full social calendar, the ache of sadness, weariness, and lost hope invades your heart. “I know I’m supposed to be joyful,” you think, “but joy in this season feels impossible when so many things feel like they’re going wrong.”
Dear reader, if this describes your heart right now, that’s okay. I’ve been there, too. Our world and culture tells us that Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, anticipation, and excitement over the birth of Christ. While I won’t deny that joy, it’s also okay to enter this Christmas season with a sad, weary, or hopeless heart. The Word of God speaks just as much to the sad, weary, and hopeless as it does to the joyful.
Luke 1 is primarily known for the prophecies about John the Baptist and Jesus’s births, as well as Mary’s song. Eventually, John—Jesus’ cousin—is born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, and Zechariah prophesies in Luke 1:67-79. In addition to foretelling the role of his son, John, in the ministry of Jesus (v. 76-77), Zechariah’s gospel-saturated, covenant-focused prophecy offers timely encouragement to aching hearts. Luke 1:67-79 reminds readers that God remembers and fulfills his promises, offering hope and comfort to the sad, weary, and hopeless.
God Remembers and Fulfills His Promises
In Luke 1:69b-75, we can observe the ways in which God remembers and keeps his promises to his people in the past, present, and future by examining the Davidic and Abrahamic covenants.
Luke 1:69b reflects back on God’s promise to King David in 2 Samuel 7:16, where God declares,
“And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.”
2 Samuel 7:16
In this text, God is covenanting with King David that a descendant from his family will remain on the throne of Israel forever. Centuries passed between God making his covenant with David and the coming of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, the “horn of salvation” (Luke 1:69), Jesus Christ, was raised up from David’s line, just as God promised (Matthew 1:5-6). All of the kings in David’s line pointed to the greater King, Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the Davidic covenant by becoming the perfect king for God’s people. As king, Jesus entered the depths of hell and defeated the power of death and sin in order to accomplish salvation and forgiveness of sins for all who believe. King Jesus later ascended to heaven and is now sitting at the right hand of God, where he perfectly intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:23-28). If you’ve placed your faith and trust in King Jesus as your Lord and savior, you can cling to the sure hope that Jesus has ordained all things, even times of sadness and hopelessness, for your good and his glory (Romans 8:28).
Not only did God fulfill his covenant promises to David, but he also did the same for Abraham. In Genesis 12:2-3, God promised,
“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:2-3
God covenants with Abraham, promising that his offspring will be a blessing to the world. While that covenant was more immediately fulfilled through Isaac (Abraham’s son), Jacob (Abraham’s grandson), and the nation of Israel (Abraham’s great-grandchildren and beyond!), it was ultimately fulfilled through Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-2). Abraham was not alive to see God bring this covenant to complete fulfillment, but he lived with faith and trust that God would do as he promised (Hebrews 11:8-16). In Jesus Christ, a great “nation” was no longer confined to a physical location on a map or individuals from particular descent, but a family of believers from all nations, tribes, peoples, and languages, all bought by the blood of King Jesus (Revelation 7:9-12). In Jesus Christ, the blessing of salvation was no longer restricted to individuals of a particular lineage or descent (the Jews), but to all who repented of sin and professed faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9). Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham, graciously granting salvation and eternal blessing to all who come to him in faith and repentance.
The Implications of Fulfilled Promises
Zechariah’s prophecy mentions just two covenants (of many!) that Jesus fulfilled as king, intercessor, and savior. Because Jesus fulfilled these covenants, there’s joyful, comforting implications in this Advent season for weary saints who trust in him as Lord and savior. King Jesus saves us from our enemies, frees us to serve him without fear, and shows his deep mercy.
Luke 1:70-71 and 74-75 tells us that King Jesus came so that “we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us” (Luke 1:71) and “serve him without fear” (Luke 1:74), just as the prophets foretold. In Jesus’ day, the thought of salvation from enemies was quite exhilarating. Who wouldn’t love to finally be free from wicked Roman oppression? However, the salvation Jesus offered wasn’t earthly or militaristic, but spiritual. King Jesus intercedes in heaven on behalf of his people as they battle the world, flesh, and devil with the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ intercession doesn’t mean that life on earth will be easy or free from pain, but it assures believers that those who seek their harm here on earth will not destroy them eternally. One day, Jesus will return and usher in a new heavens and earth, bringing long-awaited political deliverance (Rev. 21:1-4). For now, spiritual deliverance has been accomplished in the salvific death and resurrection of King Jesus. If you belong to King Jesus, remember that your protection and spiritual deliverance has been accomplished in his death and resurrection. He cares about the pain, grief, questions, and losses you wrestle with and delights to intercede for you before God the Father.
Luke 1:72 reminds us of the mercy and steadfast love of God in remembering his covenants. According to biblical scholar Tom Schreiner, the Greek word used for “mercy” (eleos) can also be translated as “steadfast love.”1 The fulfillment of God’s covenants with David and Abraham is a reminder for us that God’s mercy and steadfast love has not departed from his children today. Just as God remembered and fulfilled his promises then, he does so now. In Isaiah 54:10, God reminds us, “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed.” Similarly, Ephesians 2:4-7 reminds us that God is “rich in mercy,” making us “alive together with Christ,” so that “he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” If you are God’s child, his steadfast love and mercy has not departed from you. The struggle, pain, or hardship you’re walking through won’t last forever because God, in his love for you, will provide the grace, strength, hope, and comfort to endure.
If you belong to Jesus and are trusting in him alone for salvation this Christmas season, these rich promises are for you. Because King Jesus fulfilled the covenants made with Abraham and David, you can trust that God will continue to be faithful to you, his beloved child. God promises you his steadfast love, mercy, and deliverance accomplished in the death of Jesus. God sees your pain, grief, and doubts. God knows the questions you have and the emptiness you feel. Because of God’s rich, abounding mercy, he does not leave you on your own, but promises to show you his steadfast love and grace as you walk with him, trusting his faithfulness to deliver, strengthen, and uphold you.
Reflection Questions
- What situation or trial are you experiencing right now that has left you sad, weary or hopeless during this Advent season?
- How does God’s covenant-keeping faithfulness to David and Abraham strengthen your confidence that he will keep his covenant with you, even in this season?
- In what ways have you failed to fully trust in God during this season?
- How have you seen God use this situation or trial for your good and / or his glory?
- What passage(s) of Scripture have strengthened or encouraged you during this season?
- Who are trusted family or friends that you can ask to pray for and encourage you during this season?
Footnotes
1 Schreiner, Thomas. “Luke.” ESV Expository Commentary, Vol. VIII, Matthew – Luke. 1 ed., Wheaton, Crossway, 2021, p. 749.
Photo Credit: Sarah Brossart
Leah Jolly is a graduate of Wheaton College where she studied international relations and Spanish. She lives in the Grand Rapids area with her husband, Logan, and is pursuing her MDiv at Calvin Theological Seminary. She attends Harvest OPC in Wyoming, Michigan. You can connect with Leah on Instagram and Substack.
