Luke 1:76-77 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.

“The Rising Sun” like “the horn of salvation” in verse 69, describes the Messiah. Through Him God himself will visit the people in order to help and save them. Since we know Zechariah was deeply aware of the prophecies of Malachi (1:17, 76 and Mal. 3:1), he is probably referring to Mal. 4:2, “the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” The “coming” of this “Sun” has as its purpose: “to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death.” This phraseology is derived from Isa. 9:1, 2, “Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan– The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

How much scripture do you quote in your praise and prayer time?

Sitting in darkness and death’s shadow indicates a condition of danger, fear, and hopelessness, a longing, with no human help in sight. In Scripture the designation darkness, used figuratively, refers to one or more of the following features:

* Delusion (blindness of mind and heart; 2 Cor. 4:4, 6; Eph. 4:18);

* Depravity (Acts 26:18);

* Despondency (Isa. 9:2; see its context, verse 3).

Though all three qualities are probably in the picture here, yet the emphasis may well be on the last of the three (despondency, hopelessness).

The meaning of these words is Jesus, by his presence, teaching, deeds of mercy and power, would fill the hearts of his followers with the joy of salvation.

No longer would they be suffering in gloom and despair.

No longer do we need to suffer gloom and despair.

Whenever Jesus enters human hearts, the words of a popular hymn go into effect,
The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The light of the world is Jesus.