Luke 1:76 Commentary and Bible Study

Now Zacharias turns to his own child. The promised Messiah comes first, but then he will speak of the gift of his son and the wonderful part he will play in the coming events. This child who they prayed for for so many years, will have a far greater role than they could ever have imagined. God’s gift was worth waiting for. When it came it exceeded all expectation. Though Zacharias was looking at a mere baby when he said this, by revelation he knew that the future was certain. This child had a glorious future as the prophet who would be closest to the incarnate Son of God. No other prophet came so close to Christ; no other had such a great privilege to point him out personally to Israel. John was the Baptist, but he would even have the task of baptizing the Lord himself. At this he protested that he was unworthy, but it was right that he should do it. For this reason he would be called the prophet of the Highest. All prophets are prophets of the Highest, for all serve the Lord of glory, but not all have this weighty commendation. Christ distinguished John when he said of him, ‘But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. ²⁸ For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he’ (Luke 7:26-28).Again, Zacharias can only speak of the greatness of John in association with the Christ to whom he bears witness. He is great because he goes before the face of the Lord. That expression tells us that Christ is about to make a personal visible appearance. He is about to be born into the world. Men and women on earth are about to see his face and he walks on earth and dwells among them. Will the nation be ready for such a visitation? That will be John’s role: ‘to prepare his ways.’ In what sense did he do this? Not by altering any of the steps that Christ would take; not by laying a path for him to walk – all the details of Jesus’ life were determined in advance – but by preparing the hearts of the people. John uses the very same terms when he says to the people, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight’ (Mark 1:3). They are to make straight paths for the Lord by repenting of their sins and making their hearts ready to receive his teaching and follow his commands. This is the path that Christ will metaphorically walk: a path through human hearts that brings salvation to men and women.