When God intervenes in earthly affairs, he almost always tells someone somehow what he is doing. (Perhaps always, I don’t know.) I do know that God didn’t keep the first Christmas to himself. Who was the first to know? Did you guess the priest Zechariah? He and his wife Elizabeth were known for their personal holiness and suited for being an instrument in God’s hand and plan. That can be either exciting or frightening, or both. Part of the problem in their eyes was they were both old and without a child. In fact, they stopped asking for one. However, in Jewish culture being childless was seen as not having God’s blessing.
So not true! Luke 1:8-9 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. He received the “luck of the draw,” or was it directed by God?! As priest he would enter the Holy of Holies to offer incense to God for the people. Zechariah knew what to expect, but he didn’t expect to stand face to face to an angel of God. The angel’s message was too good to be true. Vss. 11-13 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. Zechariah was so focused on human limitations, we would be too, that the angel’s message was drowned out by his doubts. His age also spoke louder than the angel. Vs. 18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” So, how did that encounter turn out? Vs. 20 Now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” Can you imagine not being able to speak for nine months?! (No comments). Yes, he did father a child and Elizabeth gave birth, what a divine intervention. When John was born Zechariah prophesied, which is recorded at the end of Luke 1. After that we don’t hear from him. His role and purpose were fulfilled and quietly fades into the background.
What Zechariah is for many is a hero for those times when our doubt is louder than God’s voice and yet we are willing to obey. We rarely see or know what is going to happen when we say yes to God. We do know God will always be with us every moment of our lives. One more thing, Zechariah shows us that God can do great things through anyone and in impossible circumstances who is available to him.
How available are you?
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way: Today Confirmation 4:30
Sunday 5, 9:00 Morning worship and Holy Communion. Sermon: Mary and Her Angel
10:15 No Sunday school until January 9.
Prepare for the coming King
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~ Past communiques can be read on our website: www.pilotknob.org
Truth for Health Foundation is a physician-founded 501(c)3 public charitable Foundation incorporated in the state of Arizona, USA. We are dedicated to following the Oath of Hippocrates to serve individual patients to the best of our ability and judgement and to uphold the highest standards of medical ethics.
Foundation Officers, Directors, and Staff are grounded in Judeo-Christian principles of honesty, integrity, respect, kindness, compassion, humility and commitment to preserving God’s gift of Life as we serve our patients and communities.
We strive to honor God and Jesus Christ in all we do as we conduct business, and to follow Biblical principles exemplified in Jesus’ Healing Ministry throughout the New Testament as we implement health programs for the people we serve.
We are a Christian organization serving people of all faiths, as well as those who do not follow a faith tradition. https://www.truthforhealth.org/about-us-truth-for-health-foundation, also Frontline Doctors at www.flccc.net
