The Smile of God

Sunday I plan to preach on Zechariah’s Song, the Benedictus, from Luke chapter one.

The old Dutch scholar, William Hendriksen, listened to the music of Zechariah’s song and remarked that his exuberant song has objective and subjective tones to it:

“Objectively it amounts to reconciliation with God through David’s horn, the Rising Sun, the Messiah. Subjectively it is the quiet and comforting assurance of forgiveness and adoption. It is the smile of God reflected in the reconciled sinner’s heart, the shelter from the storm, the hiding-place in the shadow of His wings, the stream that issues from the fountain of grace. To that peace the Rising Sun directs our feet.”