As we move into this Advent season overshadowed by COVID, we are not unlike those in Jesus’ day, waiting for deliverance. Physically and emotionally, we would say we want deliverance from COVID. The people in Jesus’ day were awaiting deliverance from Rome. But Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, reminds us what we are delivered to:

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. (Luke 1.68 – 75, ESV, emphasis mine)

They waited for deliverance: “that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.” But the purpose of deliverance is clear: “That we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.”

We all want deliverance. This season we especially need deliverance: COVID, racial injustice, violence stimulated by racial injustice. But what do we do with this deliverance? Go back to life as normal?

Look at how Paul invites us to pray for our leaders:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2.1 – 4, ESV)

We serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness (Zechariah) … living peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way (Paul) … SO THAT all people will be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Deliverance -> serving God in holiness and righteousness -> godly and dignified in every way -> more people coming into a relationship with God.

This is why Jesus came.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2.11 – 14, NIV)