Five-minute read.
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
Luke 1:1-12
One of the four gospel writers, Luke, spent his life as a physician. With a scientific background, he wrote an orderly account of Jesus’s background. Starting with Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, focusing on the chronological things that happened. Scholars don’t know if Theophilus believed in Jesus, but he knew something of the faith. For some reason, Luke felt Theophilus needed reassurance of the truth, so the doctor wrote down the facts for the student.
Zechariah, a priest, had Jewish roots. His wife, Elizabeth, also born into the priestly line, served the Lord beside her husband, supporting him in his duties. Childless, it brought sorrow to the couple and even shame. Well past the child-bearing age, Elizabeth lost hope of becoming a mother. Studying the angel’s appearance, we learn that only heavenly beings had the right to appear in the temple where Zechariah served. Indeed, a supernatural event, the angel came with news of Elizabeth’s pregnancy and deliverance of John the Baptist.
“Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”
Luke 1:13
I can understand why Zechariah felt fear at the angel Gabriel’s appearance. Unfortunately, his fear had consequences. Because the priest doubted the Lord’s message, Gabriel told him, “you will be silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place” (Luke 1:20). After receiving joyous news, Zechariah couldn’t tell the people outside the temple what happened, he could only use sign language to communicate. How frustrating for him. When the priest’s time of service ended, he went home to Elizabeth, and she conceived a child, just as Gabriel had said she would. Not until his birth did Zechariah speak again, his first words blessing God for the arrival of his son.
A miraculous birth preceded the miraculous birth of Jesus. John’s entrance into the world prepared the people for the Savior’s arrival. What a privilege for John to spend his life preparing the way for Jesus. As Christ’s followers, we can introduce people to the Lord through our words and actions. Becoming more like Jesus and responding as He would instead of the world makes people take notice. The counter-cultural way the Messiah lived caused a stir among the crowds that followed Him. Wherever Jesus went, people knew it. Some believed, some hated, some didn’t know what to think, but everyone who encountered Jesus had a reaction; He touched their lives.
As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, consider how Jesus has changed your life. God finds us in our misery, pulls us from the darkness, and gives us hope. Each day, we can become more like Jesus as we give Him our hearts and honor Him with our lives.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the miracles of John the Baptist and Jesus. Please help us see the miracles that continue around us today. Let us live fully for You as we seek Your will in our daily lives. Give us divine tasks to complete this holiday season that will introduce people to Jesus and draw them to You.
IJNIP. Amen
