Luke 1 and John 1:1-14
If you have been reading with us from the beginning of the year – welcome to the New Testament!
Devotion by Telva Elwell (SC)
Malachi had last spoken 400 years ago and had promised that the Messenger would come. “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.” Surely Zechariah, as a priest, knew this well. But to put it mildly, God caught him off guard one day.
Zechariah was busy in the Holy Place offering incense, a duty Zechariah was permitted to do only once in his lifetime, when suddenly out of nowhere, the angel Gabriel stood by the altar. Of course, Gabriel had to calm Zechariah, because he was focused upon his task and not expecting Gabriel’s visit. “Fear not,” he said. Not only did Gabriel’s presence startle Zechariah, but the news he brought was also startling.
Gabriel told him that Zechariah and Elizabeth, his wife, were going to have a son! One would expect this to be good news for Zechariah because Elizabeth and Zechariah had been praying for a child for many years. Zechariah did not believe such a thing possible because he was an old man, and his wife was advanced in years as well. (Luke 1:18) This story was reminiscent of Abraham and Sarah, for God had also said that He would give them a son in their old age. “Abraham fell on his face and laughed.” (Gen 17:17)
Before he could even grasp the idea of having a son in his old age, Gabriel told him to name his son John, and that John would grow up to be God’s prophet to show Israel God’s son. “And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will 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 for the Lord a people prepared.” (vs16-17) (Mal 4:5) I understand that this was a lot to take in. But none of it was new to him. He was well acquainted with the promises of God as told by Malachi and other Old Testament prophets. This was the day, the time, that Zechariah, the priest, was looking forward to. What a blessing and privilege to be the father of the much-anticipated Messenger who would turn the children of Israel to God. But something got in the way of that for Zechariah.
Instead of rejoicing, Zechariah demanded proof that this was even possible. Even though an angel, who stands in the presence of God, came to deliver this good news, Zechariah believed this was all nonsense. He wanted proof—not just a proclamation of an angel of the Lord. “How can I be SURE of this?” he asked. (vs18) Gabriel gave him proof in the form of punishment. “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words…” (vs19,20) Zechariah was struck dumb, (v20) and quite possibly deaf. (v62)
When Zechariah finished his priestly duties, he walked home to his faithful wife, and in time, she conceived. For nine months his words did not come, and his world was silent. Every waking moment of every day, Zechariah was reminded of his unbelief.
I would be remiss in not mentioning Mary. Gabriel also brought her unexpected news. Although young, a virgin, and unmarried, she was also going to have a son—God’s Son, the Messiah. Her response was unlike Zechariah’s. Instead of demanding proof that this could happen, she humbly submitted to God’s plan as His servant. “Behold I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (v38) While Zechariah sat silently with his thoughts running rampant in his head, Mary rejoiced in prayer and song. (vs.46-55)
In time, Elizabeth gave birth to a son. Relatives and neighbors and friends heard the good news and rejoiced with her. Then something truly miraculous happened.
By custom Jewish boys were circumcised eight days after birth, at which time a name was given to the child. The expectation was that this child would be named Zechariah, after his father, but Elizabeth said his name would be called John, just as Gabriel had told Zechariah. It was unusual not to name the son after his father or another family member, so Zechariah was asked what he wanted the child to be called. Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote the words, “His name is John.” (v63) That name, John, means God is gracious. When Zechariah penned the baby’s name, “John” on his tablet, he was declaring his belief in God’s faithfulness and grace, and affirming Gabriel’s message to him concerning his son, John. A simple thing, yet profound. Because God is gracious, Zechariah’s tongue was immediately loosed. (v64) Because God is gracious, He did not forget or abandon Zechariah, even when he did not believe. That does not mean that it is okay to not believe. We need to believe God. But when we struggle, God is there.
Belief and unbelief are often at war with one another in our lives. Sometimes we struggle to believe, much like Zechariah, and then other times we simply believe without doubt or question, much like Mary. When we struggle, sometimes it is the small things that awaken our faith and cause us to believe—like a new baby named John
That same small baby, named John, awakened the faith of the children of Israel years later when as a man he “came as a witness, to bear witness about the light that all might believe through Him.” (John 1:7)
Reflection Questions
Question One: Why do you think God chose to make Zechariah a mute as punishment for his unbelief?
Question Two: Why do you believe Zechariah struggled to believe God? Are there times when you struggle to believe God? Why? When?
Question Three: Right now, where are you in your belief? More like Zechariah, the high priest, or more like Mary, the young virgin?
Question Four: In Mark 9:24, a man came to Jesus and said: “I believe; help me in my unbelief.” How can someone say, I believe, and at the same time ask for help in overcoming unbelief? Do you believe this was the situation with Zechariah? Is this your situation on occasion?
Seek Grow Love 