Emasculation of the Priesthood.
In the Orthodox Church on the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and Forerunner, the gospel reading is complied from Luke. It includes the first 25 verses of chapter 1, plus a selection of additional verses dealing specifically with John. Despite offering an abridged version of the first chapter of Luke, this pericope expands on Mark’s approach of beginning the Gospel of Jesus with the origin of his Forerunner. In this “back story” we can note important details in the text and glean key Scriptural points for teaching. The silencing of Zachariah represents a total emasculation of the priesthood; at the same time it reinforces the implementation of grace according to the will of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit to enable one to open his mouth and utter words of praise unto God.
Join me in a discussion of Luke 1:1-25; 57-68; 76; 80.
References
Genesis 6:9
צַדִּ֛יק (ṣad·dîq)
- righteous
תָּמִ֥ים (tā·mîm) -
blameless
Malachi 4:5-6
Matthew
17:13Luke
1:39-42
“Crystal Ball” performed by Prince.
What is A Light to the Nations?
A Light to the Nations is a bi-weekly podcast examining all parts of the biblical story from a functional perspective. Instead of asking what words means, we consider instead their function, i. e., how they are used in other parts of the Bible. In each episode will discuss the functionality of words and how that allows us hear the teaching.