Page 26 - March 2026 - Truth & Tidings

his grammar is also. This last portion of Zacharias can see those first beams and
his song is filled with prophecy. It is not praises God that “the Sunrise shall visit us
now two figures in the past, David and from on high to give light to those who sit
Abraham, that occupy his mind, but two in darkness and in the shadow of death,
figures in the future, John and Jesus. His to guide our feet into the way of peace”
own son John will be “the prophet of the (vv78-79 ESV). Indeed, “Blessed be the
Most High” (v76 ESV), while Jesus will be Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited …
“the Sunrise … from on high” (v78 ESV), his people” (v68). How did He visit them?
lighting the path of peace. Verse 76 says By the particular visit, the long-awaited
that John will prepare the way for the Lord visit of the Sunrise, the Light of the World!
while the next verses explain how he will
do it: “to give knowledge of salvation unto The whole world was lost in the darkness
his people by the remission of their sins, of sin,
through the tender mercy of our God” The Light of the World is Jesus!
(vv77-78). John’s ministry would be dif- Like sunshine at noonday, His glory shone
ferent in many ways, but one blessing that in;
came from his teaching was “knowledge The Light of the World is Jesus!
of salvation.” How could those hearing Come to the light, ‘tis shining for thee;
his message know they had salvation? By
the forgiveness of sins. Luke tells us John Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
preached this wonderful gift of forgive- Once I was blind, but now I can see:
ness (3:3), truly a blessing from “the tender The Light of the World is Jesus! 5
mercy of our God.”
But this forgiveness could only be Can You Sing?
secured by the second Person Zacharias We close this article by noting some
sang about. John would proclaim salva- penetrating questions that come out of
tion and forgiveness, but the Lord Jesus Zacharias’ song. Ask yourself if you can
would provide it. John prepared the way; praise God for these things.
Jesus is the way! John was the shining 1. Do you have “knowledge of salva-
lamp who attracted many in the nation tion"? Are your sins forgiven (v77)? The
to Christ. But Christ is Himself the Light Bible says we can be sure we are saved.
of the World who will “guide our feet in
the way of peace” (v79). The apostle John wrote, “These things
have I written unto you that believe on
Zacharias uses the prophecy from Isaiah the name of the Son of God; that ye may
9 to describe what the Sunrise, the Mes- know that ye have eternal life …” (1Jn 5:13).
siah, will do. The people of Israel are por-
trayed as a caravan that has lost its way, 2. Have you realized that Jesus Christ
overtaken by the night. They are stranded is the Sunrise promised here (v78),
in total darkness and even begin to think the Light of the World? Have you
of death as its shadow encroaches upon trusted Him as personal Savior, real-
them. They do not know what to do nor do izing He died and rose again for you?
they know where to turn. And then it hap- 3. If you are saved, are you serving the
pens. The first beams of sunrise are upon
them and they can see the way to safety. 5 Philip P. Bliss (1838-1876)
Continued on p.92
90 TRUTH kTidings March 2026