“He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.”
Luke 1:69
Horn of salvation meaning?
Nowadays everybody is busy preparing for Christmas, to celebrate the birthday of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. People prepare good food, and buy new clothes for Christmas. They go to church. Some people, who do not show their face in church throughout the year, on this great day go to show their presence in the church. It is good and essential to go to church on Christmas. However, the most important thing is to get acquainted with the importance and the person of the Savior. He is the One who is the Creator and became a creature.
In the Gospel of Luke we read that Zechariah was given the good news that he would have a son. When he doubted, he became dumb (mute). But after the birth of his son he was able again to speak Luke 1:13, 18-20, 64.
At this time he was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, “He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:69). Here the horn is used as a metaphor.
In Luke chapter 1, there is the mention of redemption, salvation, righteousness, the forgiveness of sins, darkness, and the shadow of death (see verses, 68-70, 75, 77, 79). In this situation the Lord raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. John, the son of Zechariah, was the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ. He preached,
“Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is near”
Matthew 3:2
He further said,
“…whose sandals I am not fit to carry”
Matthew 3:11
In olden times oil was kept in a horn for purposes of anointing.
“Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon”
1 Kings 1:39
“Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it”
Exodus 30:3
“Take some of the bull’s blood and put it on the horns of the altar with your fingers”
Exodus 29:12
In the Hebrew culture the horn was the symbol of strength.
“In the Lord my horn is lifted high”
1 Samuel 2:1
“… Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, went and took hold of the horns of the altar. Then Solomon was told, ‘Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon and is clinging to the horns of the altar’… then King Solomon sent men and they brought him down from the altar…. And Solomon said, go to your home”
1 Kings 1:50-53
This was the fulfillment of prophecy, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my Savior” (2 Samuel 22:3).
The Psalmist also writes, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2).
“Here I will make a horn grow for David”
Psalm 132:17
“All the Scripture is God breathed”
2 Timothy 3:16
“But men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”
2 Peter 1:21
Whatever was written in the past and fulfilled, in the same way we can see the future on the basis of the present.
THE SAVIOR’S HONOR:
Raising the horn is a sign of honor. This is a picture of the Savior’s honor:
“Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne, and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord almighty will accomplish this”
Isaiah 9:7
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”
Philippians 2:9-11
THE SAVIOR’S BEAUTY:
Beautiful horns add to the beauty of an animal. Our Savior is very beautiful because of his character, miracles, and compassion. The greatest thing is this, that he joyfully accepted death on the Cross that through his death we may have life eternal. He suffered that we may have joy. He went through all this pain that we may have peace and comfort. He experienced the shame on the Cross so that through his shame we may be honored before the Father. This is His everlasting beauty.
“My lover is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand”
Song of Songs 5:10
Stephen, the first martyr of the church, saw the beauty of his Savior. He was so devoted in his love for the Savior that he presented his life unto Him (Acts 7:59). And the beauty of his Savior was so deep in the heart, mind, soul and spirit of the Apostle Paul, that he set his eyes on the face of death and declared his faith with great boldness before the king and witnessed about the Savior. Because he saw the beauty of the Savior, he was ready to die. He said,
“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain”
Philippians 1:21
Peter observed the beauty and the glory of the Savior,
“… (He) was transfigured before them, his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.”
Matthew 17:2
The first century Christians offered their lives because they personally experienced the beauty of the Savior. The blood of the martyrs is the seed for the Church. This is still occurring and will continue until Jesus comes back.
THE SAVIOR’S POWER:
The absolute power and strength of an animal is situated in his horns. Our Savior owns great power.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”
Matthew 28:18
The Savior has power over Satan, sickness and death. All the evil powers run away in the mighty name of Jesus. World organizations come and go. The Church is a divine institution which was established by the Savior and will never come to an end. The Savior manifests His power through the Church.
“The gates of Hades will not overcome it”
Matthew 16:18
THE SAVIOR AS A REFUGE:
By holding onto the horns of the altar, a life was spared. This was a place of refuge.
“But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, went and took hold of the horns of the altar. Then Solomon was told, “Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon and is clinging to the horns of the altar… king Solomon sent men and they brought him down from the altar…. And Solomon said, ‘Go to your home’”
1 Kings 1:50-53
For us, the Lord Jesus Christ is the place of protection and refuge. Anyone who comes to Him is safe. He gives shelter to his people. Nobody can be snatched away from Him. He protects, delivers, and saves us from destruction, sin, death and Satan.
“…and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins”
Matthew 1:21
THE SAVIOR AS AVENGER:
“He raised the horn of salvation for us.
The animal uses his horn to take revenge. The horn is a terrible weapon. With this weapon an animal defends himself as well takes revenge by attacking his enemy.
Our Savior came into this world and was placed in a manger some 2000 years ago. He was the creator, sustainer and provider of the whole universe.
“There was no room for them in the inn”
Luke 2:7
“Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has no place to lay his head”
Matthew 8:21
He did not have His own donkey to ride, boat to travel in, house to live in or even a grave in which to be buried. He gave his life to save mankind from sin and death. He died, was buried; He was raised from the dead. He ascended to heaven, and He will come back to this earth to judge. He will throw the evil ones into the lake of fire and sulpher. This is His revenge and this will be the punishment for sinners, while the righteous will live with Him for evermore.
“Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done”
Revelation 22:12
“He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.”
Luke 1:69
We have seen the Savior’s honor, beauty and power. He is our refuge and our avenger. He is coming soon to take revenge on the evil ones. Have you received salvation through this Savior? If your response is positive, then you must praise God. And if your answer is negative then this is a very precious time for you, that at Christmas you get deliverance and forgiveness of your sins. Through this Savior you will receive eternal life. This is the true purpose of Christmas.
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE HORN OF SALVATION FOR US
We wish you a blessed birthday of the Savior and all His blessings throughout the coming year.
