Reasons

 Gtcotr/ws121323

Each year the Christmas season gives us opportunities to revisit amazing truths that surround the miraculous birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus of Nazareth. Each time I study these familiar passages I learn new principles I can use to guide and strengthen my walk with Christ. This year has been no different.

One of my greatest challenges as a teacher of God’s Word is finding the time to share all of these golden nuggets of truth I have uncovered. I could talk the Word of God forever. The Word of God is not only a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, but also life and health, hope and faith, peace and joy to all who receive it.

Reading the Word of God is so enjoyable and that’s why I am inviting anyone who can to join me each Monday from noon to 1pm, beginning January 15, 2024, in the education building next door for just that purpose. We are going to begin by reading the book of John together with no pre-preparation and just let the Holy Spirit be our Guide.

Bring your lunch if you like. It will be an informal and casual time of simply reading the verses which time and conversation allow and picking up where we left off the next week. Everyone is welcome. And I understand if you have to come late or leave early. It’s a workday.

Now back to our message for tonight.

Luke 1 NKJV

5 ¶  There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

6  And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

7  But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

You may remember the account … we just studied this together 2 Sundays ago.

Here is the picture. Gabriel, the messenger of God, is visiting Zacharias while Zacharias is praying for the people of Israel at the altar of incense inside of the Holy Place, in the Temple of God.

12  And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

“Fear fell upon him.” If any of you have ever become suddenly afraid, you will know that’s exactly how it feels … it’s like fear falling on you.

This verse is not talking about Zacharias having a ‘spirit of fear’ which tends to make a person worried and causes them to fret about everything and borrow trouble in their self-assessments of life. Zacharias did not have a spirit of fear in this moment. Rather, he was startled. “Fear fell on him.”

Some moments, even God moments, can surprise us. However, any surprises which come from God are not meant to make us worry but should connect us to our faith in His sovereign will. When God surprises, you will hear in your spirit and mind the same words Zacharias heard … “Do not be afraid.” And if there is anything else you need to know at that time, God will tell you. Your job is to stop fearing and start listening.

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.

Indulge me with a little rabbit trail here … I find it interesting that Jesus said John the Baptist came neither eating or drinking and the people considered him demon possessed. However the Son of Man came both eating and drinking and people called Him a glutton and a drunkard. (Matthew 11:18-19 & Luke 7:33-34)

I suppose Jesus was pointing out the truth that you just can’t please people. They will love you or hate you depending on what’s in their heart, and not based on who you are or what you do.

Ok … back to our message for this evening.

Luke 1:15  “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.

Six months later, just after Mary had received the angel Gabriel’s message, she embarked on a journey to see her elderly relative Elizabeth who was pregnant. When Mary arrived at the home of Elizabeth and greeted her, something happened. Let’s read:

Luke 1:41  And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

We have always known that there is a natural biological connection between the mother and the child but here we see it confirmed that there is also a spiritual connection.

The Word of God which came through Gabriel concerning the child which would be born to Zacharias and Elizabeth was that the child would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.

The fulfillment of that promise came about in that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and it also affected her child or that the child was filled and that affected his mother. We know it wasn’t just for the baby since Elizabeth began to prophesy under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

What affects our children affects us and what affects us, affects our children. Much of this occurs on a spiritual level beyond the view or control of natural man.

No doubt Mary had her reasons why she went to see Elizabeth. No doubt Elizabeth had her reasons why she was happy to see Mary. However I feel one of the biggest reasons why Mary went to visit Elizabeth was to fulfill the prophecy of Gabriel. He said the child would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.

It takes a lot of moving pieces to get the job done.

You are one of the moving pieces to the puzzle God is putting together to fulfill His word and promise concerning others. We need to be ever sensitive to the leading of the Lord. You may not realize right now just how important you are to the overall plan of God.

One of the ways we can ensure we do not miss the Lord is to make sure we do not fall prey to the leading of the flesh. Just because it is hard does not mean it is not God. Just because it costs does not mean you should avoid it. Just because it may not benefit you does not mean it is not the will of the Father.

Say to God what Mary said and mean it. “Be it unto me according to Your Word.” Just like her Son said, “Not My will but Yours be done.” This is the Christmas message.

·        Some moments, even God moments, can surprise us.

·        It takes a lot of moving pieces to get the job done.

·        You have spiritual connections beyond the control of mortal man.

·        Your job is to stop worrying and start listening.