Zechariah’s name means, "The Lord remembers his covenant.” Zechariah was a godly, upright priest in Israel during the times when Mary became pregnant with Jesus. His wife Elizabeth was Mary’s cousin. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth "were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly" (Lk 1:6). Combining priestly origins and heartfelt desire to observe God’s will and law, made Zechariah and Elizabeth represent the best of the faithful in Israel.
But they were also beyond their child bearing years and did not have any children.
In Zechariah the Lord remembered his covenant promises. He preserved a faithful priest from Aaron's house who would make the final preparations for preparing the way for the coming Messiah.
Then something extraordinary dramatic happened. The angel Gabriel appeared to priest Zechariah while he sacrificed incense in the temple. The angel said that God remembered his promises about the Messiah. God was continuing his plan of salvation as promised even to Abraham centuries before. And, that a son to be born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the baptiser, would prepare the way for the Lord’s coming.
Zechariah could hardly believe what he was hearing.
Lk 1:18: "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years" he said to the angel. What God promises is often so much beyond human ability, that it is simply unbelievable.
God made many “unbelievable” promises: Grace and forgiveness for people who do not deserve it. A role and ministry for regular sinners to accomplish his Kingdom plans. Rebirth and sanctification for those very regular sinners, to restore them by grace through faith into a royal priesthood to work for him - and I may be one of them.
God promised more than the forgiveness of sins. He promised the resurrection of the body, life everlasting and a new heaven and new earth.
We, like Zechariah, also often cannot stop ourselves from asking "How can I be sure of this?"
So God gave Zechariah a sign. Zechariah was turned speechless before the might and grace of God. He would be mute until God made his promise to become true when John the baptiser was born.
As we look at all that God did to guarantee the details of the Christmas story and how he guided the elected role players to participate, we cannot help but be awestruck by the power and the grace of God.
We too are often humbled when our doubts are gloriously turned into amazement as to how God makes the gospel truth become true in our lives and the lives of fellow believers. We too find faith when we cannot help to see that "nothing is impossible with God" (Lk 1:37) We too are muted by amazement when we unexpectedly are given faith that knows that nothing is beyond our Lord.
Because the only hero and star of the Christmas story, is God.
He is behind everything that happened that first Christmas. And he continues to be an awe-inspiring God as he also in our lives remembers his covenant promises, carries out his plan of salvation and guide us to the purposes of our existence.
We too will one day be speechless when he comes on the clouds to bring his perfect and holy Kingdom to final and complete fruition!
The Lord’s advent frees us from unbelief and makes us expecting and awaiting the impossible.
Glory to God in the highest!
No comments:
Post a Comment