Gtcotr/ws121008
Last week we began the Christmas Story by reading from the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke. We learned some history about how the priests in that day were divided up into groups or courses and assigned certain times and duties to minister.
One day in about 4 to 6 BC a priest who lived in the hill country of Judea, about 12 miles south of Jerusalem, in what was most likely in the city of Hebron, was chosen to burn incense before the Lord at the time of prayer. We are told that this priest was advanced in years, as was his wife. His name is Zacharias and his wife’s name is Elizabeth … they had no children because Elizabeth was barren.
As Zacharias offered the prayers of God’s children upon the altar of incense in the Holy Place of the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, an angel of the Lord appeared to him.
Note: It had been 400 years since an angel or prophet had been heard in Israel and 500 years since this same angel, Gabriel, had appeared to Daniel and given him understanding of the coming Messiah.
500 years earlier when Gabriel came to Daniel as recorded in Daniel 10:12, Gabriel told Daniel that he had come because of Daniel’s continued prayer.
It is worth noting that this same angel, Gabriel, has now been sent to Zacharias while Zacharias is in church praying. It seems that Gabriel has come for the same reason … because of Zacharias’ consistent prayer.
God still sends help to those who attend church and pray!
Let’s read from this point as we pick up with the Christmas story in:
Luke 1 NKJV
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
14 "And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
15 "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
16 "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
17 "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
19 And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.
20 "But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time."
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple.
22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
Zacharias remained speechless until their son was born and officially named John, which means: Jehovah is a gracious giver or God is a God of blessings. Once that fact was announced and settled, Zacharias’ tongue was loosed. (Luke 1:63)
