Untitled Sermon (17)

The Gospel of Luke begins with an extraordinary backdrop. The people of Israel were living under Roman rule and had not heard from a prophet in over 400 years. It was a time of spiritual drought, yet faithful individuals like Zacharias and Elizabeth remained devoted to God.

Zacharias was a priest, and the chapter opens with him serving in the temple. Now back then you started serving in the temple at 25 years old During his service, the angel Gabriel appears to him with an astounding message: the prayer he and Elizabeth had long prayed for—a child—would be answered. But this wasn’t just any child. This would be John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, fulfilling prophecy and preparing the way for Jesus Christ.

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Luke 1:5-19

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, [c]his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s