Saturday December 16, 2023

 

“Then his [John the Baptist, Jesus’ precursor] father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty saviour for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” (Luke 1:67-75) 

 

When Zechariah blessed the Lord God of Israel for having raised up “a mighty saviour” in the house of His servant David, what he literally said was that God had raised up “a horn of salvation”. Perhaps for us today a horn does not mean much. But in biblical times, the image of the horn of an ox or a bull brought to mind three very significant meanings. 

 

Firstly, the horns of these animals were a symbol of strength and power, because they were their principal means of attack and defense – and so, Jesus, the horn raised up by God on our behalf, is our strong and powerful salvation, ready to defend us and free us from our enemy Satan. 

 

Secondly, the horns of these animals were used as trumpets: as much during times of praise and adoration of God’s people, as in the proclamation of victory during times of war – and so, Jesus, the horn raised up by God on our behalf, is the wonderful message of good news, the wonderful message of victory and praise proclaimed to the entire world. 

 

And thirdly, horns were the symbol of the dignity and the glory of kings – and so, Jesus, the horn raised up by God on our behalf, is the holy and glorious salvation of our King of kings. 

 

Dear friend: can you today, just like Zechariah more than 2000 years ago, declare, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty saviour [a horn of salvation] for us…”? Is it “that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days”? May it be so. 

+ REFLECTIONS