Advent: 22 Days to Go
In the last installment of our Christmas adventure, Zacharias learned that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son, to be named John, who would do great things and prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. This time we learn how Zacharias took the news...
18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
--Luke 1:18-25 KJV Bible
Zacharias had heard the great news from the angel of his son who would be born and the great role he would play. But rather than accepting this news with joy, Zacharias doubted God’s ability. The temple priest who was speaking with an angel of God doubted what God could do.
While Zacharias’ reaction may seem only human, it did not demonstrate the great faith that a servant of God should have. Zacharias learned this fact very quickly. It was at this point that the angel formally announced himself to Zacharias and provided more perspective on the situation. The angel’s name was Gabriel. His name means “man of God,” and his ministry involves making special announcements for God concerning God’s plans. In the Old Testament we know of Gabriel’s appearance to Daniel in a vision (Daniel 8:15-19) and then later in person (Daniel 9:20-22). The angel Gabriel and the archangel Michael hold great distinction in that they were the only angels mentioned by name in the Bible. By the fact that Zacharias was speaking with Gabriel, Zacharias should have understood that this was indeed a special announcement concerning God’s plans and that God was fully capable of making His plans come to pass. After Gabriel had given Zacharias more to consider, he then provided Zacharias so time to consider it. Gabriel told Zacharias that he would not speak again until after these great events had taken place.
Outside of the temple, the people who had gathered for the burning of the incense were waiting for Zacharias to appear and wondered about his delay. Because of his advanced years, some may have even wondered if Zacharias had died. When he did appear, Zacharias could do little more than make signs to the people and the other attending priests.
Finally, after serving his allotted time in the temple, Zacharias was free to return to his home in the hill country, possibly not far from Jerusalem. Of course, it goes without saying that soon after Zacharias’ return home, Elizabeth became pregnant. Yes, over the coming days Zacharias had a great many things to consider.
Next time, we will learn of the ancestry of Jesus...
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18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
--Luke 1:18-25 KJV Bible
Zacharias had heard the great news from the angel of his son who would be born and the great role he would play. But rather than accepting this news with joy, Zacharias doubted God’s ability. The temple priest who was speaking with an angel of God doubted what God could do.
While Zacharias’ reaction may seem only human, it did not demonstrate the great faith that a servant of God should have. Zacharias learned this fact very quickly. It was at this point that the angel formally announced himself to Zacharias and provided more perspective on the situation. The angel’s name was Gabriel. His name means “man of God,” and his ministry involves making special announcements for God concerning God’s plans. In the Old Testament we know of Gabriel’s appearance to Daniel in a vision (Daniel 8:15-19) and then later in person (Daniel 9:20-22). The angel Gabriel and the archangel Michael hold great distinction in that they were the only angels mentioned by name in the Bible. By the fact that Zacharias was speaking with Gabriel, Zacharias should have understood that this was indeed a special announcement concerning God’s plans and that God was fully capable of making His plans come to pass. After Gabriel had given Zacharias more to consider, he then provided Zacharias so time to consider it. Gabriel told Zacharias that he would not speak again until after these great events had taken place.
Outside of the temple, the people who had gathered for the burning of the incense were waiting for Zacharias to appear and wondered about his delay. Because of his advanced years, some may have even wondered if Zacharias had died. When he did appear, Zacharias could do little more than make signs to the people and the other attending priests.
Finally, after serving his allotted time in the temple, Zacharias was free to return to his home in the hill country, possibly not far from Jerusalem. Of course, it goes without saying that soon after Zacharias’ return home, Elizabeth became pregnant. Yes, over the coming days Zacharias had a great many things to consider.
Next time, we will learn of the ancestry of Jesus...
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