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76. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77. To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,78. Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,79. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.80. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.Luke 1:76-80 Here, the evangelist speaks of Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, who describes his office and work as a prophet, foretelling the coming of Jesus the Savior and Redeemer of the world. To give knowledge of salvation, not a deliverance from the Roman yoke, as people expected but of spiritual and eternal salvation. By the loosing all from the debt of sin by taking the punishment with His own body. By the mercy of God, who promised forgiveness and pardon through the blood of His Son. Jesus is the dayspring from above. Each morning, His mercies are new and available. To give His light to all who sit in darkness, we could never find this light on our own. His spiritual light is life to all who seek it and illuminates the path we need to walk. This chapter ends with John being in the deserts till he was shown to Israel. He lived not in cities, nor did he go to school, to be taught by men. He was provided for by God and taught by Him. He was filled with the Holy Ghost before he was born. Needing every bit of God's strength to do God's work. Amen.