Podcast Summary: Renewing Your Mind — "The Benedictus" (December 28, 2025)

Episode Overview

This episode of Renewing Your Mind features R.C. Sproul’s teaching on “The Benedictus”—the hymn sung by Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, as recorded in Luke’s Gospel. The message unpacks the biblical, theological, and redemptive significance of Zechariah’s song, focusing on God’s visitation and redemption of His people. Dr. Sproul explores the Old Testament roots and the prophetic and celebratory dimensions of this hymn, drawing deep connections to Christ's incarnation and God’s providential care.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Context of “The Benedictus”

• [00:00–01:42]
  • Zechariah’s hymn is sung in response to the birth of his son, John the Baptist, and is one of several “Infancy Hymns” in Luke.
  • The central theme is God’s visitation and redemption of His people through the fulfillment of His covenant promises.

2. The Significance of God's Visitation

• [01:42–09:10]
  • “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people.” (R.C. Sproul, 01:42)
  • The word “visited” in the original Greek is related to episcopus (“bishop”), signifying a deep, intentional, and overseeing visitation—akin to a supervisor or overseer.
  • Dr. Sproul unpacks the etymology of “episcopus,” emphasizing God as the all-seeing, all-knowing overseer of His people.
    • “The supervisor or the bishop is not a casual observer…He sees and perceives every single detail of what is going on.” (Sproul, 04:10)
  • Jesus is called “the bishop of our souls” in the New Testament, continuing God’s complete and caring oversight.

3. Divine Providence and Provision

• [09:10–13:30]
  • Explains “providence” as God’s seeing and sovereignly providing for His people; draws from the root videre (“to see”).
  • Biblical example: Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22), where God provides a ram as a substitute—“Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide.”
    • “We are going to trust in the provision of God. We are going to trust in the providence of God.” (Sproul, 11:08)
  • Connects this to God’s ultimate provision in Christ as the sacrificial Lamb on Calvary.
    • “Do you realize that 2,000 years later…God took His son, His only son…and put Him on the altar of sacrifice. Only this time, no one shouted, stop.” (Sproul, 12:13)

4. The Double Edge of Divine Visitation

• [13:30–17:50]
  • Visitation can bring either benediction or judgment, as in the Old Testament when generals would inspect their troops.
  • The “Day of the Lord” was seen with hope for deliverance but also became a warning of judgment for those unfaithful.
    • “The day of the Lord is a day of darkness, and there is no light in it.” (Sproul quoting Amos, 15:14)
  • Christ’s incarnation is the ultimate visitation: those who receive Him become children of God; those who reject Him face judgment.
    • “It is impossible to be neutral with respect to Christ. There’s no neutral territory. Jesus said, ‘He who is not with Me is against Me.'” (Sproul, 16:46)

5. God’s Visitations Throughout History

• [17:50–20:35]
  • The Exodus is highlighted as a “supreme visitation” where God delivers Israel from Egypt, foreshadowing Christ’s redemptive work.
    • “The Exodus was the supreme visitation of God to His people in the Old Testament.” (Sproul, 19:08)
  • God’s ultimate visit is in Christ, who delivers from the bondage of sin.

6. The Nearness (and Felt Absence) of God

• [20:35–23:40]
  • Sproul reflects on times when saints have longed for God’s presence, citing Martin Luther’s prayers at Worms for divine visitation and support—a reminder that God visits His people in their need.
    • “He’s not gone. He’s just hiding. And Luther prayed that on the morrow God would visit him and give him strength.” (Sproul, 21:55)

7. Call to Response

• [23:40–24:02]
  • Sproul urges listeners to examine their relationship with Christ, emphasizing there’s no neutrality:
    • “You’re either a disciple of Christ or you’re his enemy. Which is only you know in the deepest chambers of your heart.” (Sproul, 17:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people.” (Zechariah/Benedictus, cited by Sproul, 01:42)
• “The supervisor is not just a visor. He’s not just a looker, he’s a super looker…He sees and perceives every single detail.” (Sproul, 04:10)
• “Jesus…is the bishop of our soul…The supreme bishop is God Himself, who observes totally, comprehensively everything that takes place in this world.” (Sproul, 06:52)
• “Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide. We are going to trust in the provision of God.” (Sproul, 11:08)
• “Do you realize that 2,000 years later, at that same mountain…God took His son, His only son…and put Him on the altar of sacrifice. Only this time, no one shouted, stop. The ultimate provision was made.” (Sproul, 12:13)
• “It is impossible to be neutral with respect to Christ. There’s no neutral territory. Jesus said, ‘He who is not with Me is against Me.’” (Sproul, 16:46)
• “The Exodus was the supreme visitation of God to His people in the Old Testament. It looked ahead to the ultimate visit, the incarnation of Christ.” (Sproul, 19:08)
• “He’s not gone. He’s just hiding. And Luther prayed that on the morrow God would visit him and give him strength.” (Sproul, 21:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• The Text of the Benedictus and Main Theme — 00:00–01:42
• Meaning of “Visited”—The All-Seeing God — 01:42–09:10
• Divine Providence Illustrated in Abraham and Isaac — 09:10–13:30
• Dual Nature of God’s Visitation and the Day of the Lord — 13:30–17:50
• Exodus and Redemptive Visitations — 17:50–20:35
• Longing for God’s Nearness—Luther at Worms — 20:35–23:40
• Personal Challenge: Our Response to Christ’s Visitation — 23:40–24:02

Conclusion

Dr. R.C. Sproul’s exposition of the Benedictus reveals the depth of Scripture’s teaching on God’s personal, providential, and redemptive “visitations”—culminating in the incarnation of Christ. Through biblical and theological insight, listeners are challenged to recognize both the hope and warning present in God’s coming and to respond to Christ wholeheartedly, as disciples not adversaries.

For those seeking further study, Dr. Sproul’s commentary on Luke is recommended. Listeners are invited to reflect: “Are you a disciple of Christ, or are you his enemy?” — a sobering and central question raised by this powerful episode.