Luke 1:5-25
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Preparation of the Savior
Preparation of the Savior
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord 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 unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
As Luke has stated his purpose is to be detailed, accurate, and guide people to the Savior!
This section marks the beginning of Luke’s attention on the birth of the Savior!
Today marks our second attempt at focusing on the coming Savior. Last week we looked at an Old Testament passage that declares for us to focus on Worshiping, praising, and telling others of our Lord and Savior!
Matthew’s only focuses on Jesus the Messiah, but Luke’s narrative of the coming Savior starts with the birth of John the Baptist!
Luke 1:5 “5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.”
We are reminded that Herod the Great ruled from 37 - 4 B.C.
In the Old Testament scripture fortells of the day that the Messiah would be born, Genesis 49:10 “10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh come; And unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”
This was the sign that the Messiah was now at hand!
The phrase “in the days of Herod the king” - He was the son of Antipater, an Edomite, make king by the Romans! He was not of the lineage of Judah. Another Prophesy fulfilled.
course of Abia—or Abijah; the eighth of the twenty-four orders of courses into which David divided the priests (see
Of these courses only four returned after the captivity (
The preparation through faithful dedication!
Luke 1:6 “6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.”
Clearly scripture is indicating that these parents “Zacharias and Elizabeth” obeyed God’s known word in anticipation of the coming Messiah!
They obeyed the moral laws! Ezekiel 11:20 “20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”
They obeyed the ceremonial laws! Hebrews 9:1 “1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.”
Some think that the Jews didn’t know the difference between the moral and ceremonial laws.
Mark 12:33 “33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Yet, God withheld his blessing on the parents! Luke 1:7 “7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.”
The preparation through faithful prayers to God!
Zacharias was serving the Lord!
Luke 1:9 “9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.”
Part of the assigned ministry of each priest was called upon by random. Three were employed at the offering of incense to remove ashes of the former service, to bring in and place on the golden altar the pan filled with hot burning coals. So while the smoke from the altar ascended, the people prayed! This was a symbol of prayers ascending to God!
Similar to Romans 12:1 “1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
The text tells us that the people of God were praying without! This was the time of incense… a beautiful symbol of a living sacrifice that is a sweet smell to God!
Psalm 141:2 “2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”
Revelation 8:3 “3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.”
Leviticus 16:12–13 “12 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the Lord, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail: 13 And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:”
Ephesians 5:2 “2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
Isaiah 6:6–7 “6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” ‘
Zachariah was on the right side - The side of favor and strength! This is detailed to let you know that God sent a messenger while Zechariah was offering incense to God for his people during the time of prayer!
What was the message to Zachariah?
13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Thy prayer is heard! “God hears your prayers too!”
You will call Him John! Meaning Jehovah’s gracious gift”
You will have joy and gladness! Luke 1:14 “14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.”
John shall be great in the sight of the Lord!
John shall be filled with the Holy Ghost from the womb! He was a vessel of honor his whole life!
He will turn peoples hearts to God, and make them ready for the Lord!
