Advent 2024

Angel Visitation

This Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent . Advent is the season in the church calendar when we look forward to the birth of Jesus, the Christ Child. We will be looking at familiar passages of scripture. I want for us to look at them with fresh eyes, looking to see all that is in the Biblical accounts of the days leading up to Jesus’ birth.

Luke begins his account by telling us that this took place while Herod was king of Judea. Herod’s kingship was an interesting story. He was born into Judaism but was an Edomite by family. He became king by killing his predecessors and bribing Roman officials. Although known as the king of the Jews, he was not a devote Jew, not recognized by many of the Jewish leaders and certainly not by the Romans. He was constantly worrying about political foes and killed any who he felt threatened by including some of his own sons. Herod was known for rebuilding and enlarging the second temple as well as many other building. He was also the king who murdered the baby boys in Bethlehem after the Magi came seeking the one who was born “King of the Jews.”

The main character is Zechariah a priest of the order of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was also from the daughters of Aaron. It was unlawful for a priest to marry outside of the Jewish line, and it was even better if his wife would also be of Aaron’s descendants. they were righteous in the eyes of the Lord, obeying the law. But they were childless, Elizabeth was unable to conceive and they were both very old.

There were many members of the priestly family and they were divided into 24 groups. Each group would be called to minister for 2 weeks each year. Three priests were required to preform the burning of incense. 1 to remove the ashes from the previous sacrifice, 1 to bring the pan of hot coals and 1 to offer the incense. This was preformed twice each day.

The remaining 4 weeks would be festival weeks when all the priests would be there. These groups were so large that the one to enter and burn incense was chosen by lot and they could not repeat it was a once in a lifetime experience. Many priests were never chosen. It was a big honor. Zechariah had been chosen and when he went in to burn the incense. He was visited by an angel. Luke says that he was gripped with fear, but the angel told him not to be afraid, his prayer had been heard and his wife would bear him a son and he was to name him John.

The angel goes on the say that the child will be a joy to his parents, I think that would go without saying . Children are a delight to their parents and it would be so much sweeter because of how long they had prayed for children. Many will rejoice because of his birth. That is different than most. Zechariah’s son John would go on to be the man we know as John the Baptist. The angel continued that he would be great in the sight of the Lord. He was never to take wine or other fermented drinks. This was one of the requirements of people who took the vow of the Nazirites. Jewish men and women who wanted to make a special dedication to the Lord, took a vow to avoid strong drink nor anything from the grapes, including the seeds and skin, not cut their hair and avoid contact with the dead. This is described in Numbers 6:1-21. This could be a life long vow or for a specific time.

He would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he was born. Prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection the Holy Spirit only came upon certain people for a specific time or purpose. It was unusual for the Spirit to come upon John even before he was born.

He would bring many people of Israel to the Lord. When we read about John’s ministry we see that people went out into the wilderness to hear him and that they repented of their sin and were baptized.

He would go before the Lord in the Spirit of Elijah here we have the scripture reference for the question that was asked of Jesus; was he Elijah who was to come.

Zechariah was a priest, he knew the scriptures, One of the basic truths was the birth of Issac to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. He knew it was possible and that God could do it again if he wanted to. But he asked the angel “how can I be sure?” He knew that this was an angel, he had been fearful, but the angel told him not to be afraid. He still asked how can I be sure. I am an old man and my wife is well along in years. (He was a diplomat he didn’t say she was old.)

The angel told him that he was Gabriel and that he stood in the presence of God, that he had been sent to tell Zechariah this good news. Notice that Gabriel did not give his name at first, but did so when challenged, along with his rank and his duty.

Remember that it was Gabriel who appeared to Moses (Daniel 8) and the other Archangel named, was Micheal.

Have you noticed that people who have a lot of credentials often do not list them. It seems that Gabriel did not until he was challenged. Because Zechariah questioned. he was struck dumb. the other people who were outside waiting for him were getting concerned because he was inside so long. when he came out he was unable to tell them what had happened. He tried making signs. the others knew that he had probably seen a vision, but couldn’t understand him.

When Zechariah said that he and his wife were old. I looked up the ages that Moses was given for the priests to serve and found in Numbers 8:24-25 that a priest could begin to serve at the age of 25 (30 is given at another place) and the priest was to retire from service at the age of 50. If that was the case Zechariah would not have been over fifty. I also noted elsewhere that the average lifespan of males at that time was 44 so in that respect he could be considered old, but young compared to the patriarchs. His wife Elizabeth would have been of a similar age. Neither of them as old as Abraham and Sarah.

Elizabeth is the third person in this passage and one who we don’t consider as often. For a Jewish woman to be childless was considered a reproach possibly the result of some sin. Gen. 30.23

God had given the command to be fruitful and multiply. In Jewish writings this was considered to be the males responsibility. A Jewish man whose wife had not conceived after 10 years was encouraged to divorce his wife and remarry so that his line would continue. This was especially important for a priest. If the wife miscarried the count was started from that date. If Elizabeth and Zechariah were both old it would seem that there was no divorce. that would not have lessened the shame that she felt.

When Zechariah’s term of service was over he returned home and his wife conceived. She remained in seclusion for 5 months and gave credit to the Lord for removing her disgrace. I find it interesting that she did not tell of her pregnancy right away. for someone who waited so long was she being careful so that if she miscarried no one would know? If we compare the 2; Zechariah doubted, while Elizabeth rejoiced that the Lord had blessed her.

Zechariah’s question is one that people often repeat today. When faced with the gospel message many have doubts; “is it really true, that God sent his Son to earth in the form of a baby born in a stable. To live and die a horrific death on a cross as a man. To be resurrected in order to save people from their sin. “ is it really that simple? How can I be sure?

This passage could be considered the beginning of the Christmas story, but it does not stand alone. All the pieces of God’s plan for redemption fit together like the pieces of a puzzle. We may not understand, but God does. We need to trust what has been revealed to us in God’s Word. This morning we will be taking part in the Lord’s Supper. A piece of the puzzle that is available for us. It is a time for us to show our belief in God’s Word. A time when we overcome our doubts and publically recognize our faith and the hope that we have in Jesus Christ who came as a babe in Bethlehem and instituted this meal of remembrance before he died on a cross in Jerusalem. Death could not hold him and he rose again and is seated in heaven until he comes again as he promised. Praise be to God.