LUKE: Spotlight on Zechariah

            Zechariah was a Jewish priest who was told by God prior to anyone one else knowing that the Lord was setting in motion his own visit to earth. Both Zechariah & his wife, Elizabeth, were known for being holy, even as God is holy. Though they were well suited to do a special work for the Lord, they shared the pain of not having any children. In Jewish culture, not being able to birth children was considered not having God’s blessing. The couple were old, therefore they ceased asking God for children, accepting that it must not have been his will for them to have children, in spite of what others would say.

            One day while on duty at the Jerusalem Temple, Zechariah received an unexpected blessing. He was chosen to be the priest who would enter the Holy Place to offer incense to God for the people of Israel. Suddenly, to his surprise & terror, Zechariah found himself face to face with an angel. The message from God’s messenger was too good to be true! It was news of the coming Savior; however, his mission was for his wife to give birth to the precursor of the Messiah. Luke 1:13, “...the angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.’” Because of their age, Zechariah was found not believing what the angel Gabriel ^[1] had said to him. Therefore, because of his disbelief the angel told him he would be unable to speak until the promise became a reality.

            Zechariah was known in his region as a righteous man. He was one of the few people who had been addressed by an angel face to face. Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist, the one who cried out in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Messiah, Savior of the nations. Proving his humanity, Zechariah momentarily doubted the angel’s promise due to the couples old age. In other words, Elizabeth was considered way beyond her birthing years. God’s will is never thwarted by physical limitations, but rather accomplishes his will in unexpected ways.

            Zechariah’s story is one that gives hope to Christians thru the ages. The lesson learned here is this: God can do great things thru ANYONE who makes him or herself available to him.

 

Up next is a look at the unusual ways God communicates with man. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible; p. 2173.

^[1] Luke 1:19 “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!”