Zechariah's Visitor
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Introduction
Introduction
Here we are at the first Sunday in December and I am going to spend our time on Sunday evenings looking back at some of the events associated with those events around the birth of Jesus, both before and after...
This evening I want us to take our Bibles and look at one of these events and look at the Gospel of Luke and look at
Luke chapter 1, verses 5-25
But lets begin looking at verses 5-7
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
Now it came to pass, reminds us that it happens during a time when certain events were taking place, literally it was during the time of Herod the Great
We know this to be true from Matthews gospel and also here in Luke as well.
So the story unfolds that in the days of Herod, king of Judea there was one priest serving in the Temple area by the name of Zechariah.
Now it says that Zechariah was a priest from the division of Abijah, the service of the temple was divided into 24 divisions, and each provided for the needs of the temple service a week at a time, twice a year. During the major celebrations, such as passover, Pentecost and the Feast of the Tabernacles they all served at the same time.
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So the story unfolds that in the days of Herod, king of Judea there was one priest serving in the Temple area by the name of Zechariah.
Now Zechariah had a wife, Elizabeth… she was a descendant of Aaron himself, the brother of Moses, And both were righteous before God, verse 6, they walked blamelessly before the Lord.
Now that is a great testimony… to be righteous says they were right, without wrong in their actions, Upright and holy in their conduct, in their life before God. Blameless says they were ones that no one could be accusation against… None could lay evil at their feet. Wow..
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
Righteousness is an important characteristic of God’s people in Luke-Acts. Their righteousness was in the sight of God and not just in appearance as in the case of some Pharisees.
Righteousness is an important characteristic of God’s people in Luke-Acts. Their righteousness was in the sight of God and not just in appearance as in the case of some Pharisees.
They were the embodiment of OT piety
That is a great testimony of a person is it not….
So here is a priestly family, but there is one sad point in their life, they were old, advanced in years and they had no children, verse 7.
7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
Now this is particularly disappointing, we know children were important to families, they were then and they still are today for mean reasons, but they did not have this blessing…. At least not yet..
Now interestingly, the term no children is the phrase used of Sarah in and Rebekah in and Rachael in and even Samson’s mother in and
Now this is particularly disappointing, we know children were important to families, they were then and they still are today for mean reasons, but they did not have this blessing…. At least not yet..
Now why mention this at all, why not just say they didn’t have a child, why point out they are old as well. Its not to humiliate them or anything.
I think it points it the truth that there was a impossibility there on man’s part. Physically, apart from divine help they were without hope. But we all know that with God all things are possible
It would be a miracle in their part, and that is what God does, He shows up and does miracles when everything else says it cannot be done.
So moving on...
Verses 8-10
8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
So Zechariah was in the Temple, chosen by lot.
So Zechariah was in the Temple, chosen by lot.
This indicates that God’s providential leading caused Zechariah to be chosen. For Luke this was not the result of “chance” or “fate.” God was clearly in control of this event.
This indicates that God’s providential leading caused Zechariah to be chosen. For Luke this was not the result of “chance” or “fate.” God was clearly in control of this event. See Introduction 8 (1).
Since so many priests served the temple (about eighteen thousand), entering the holy place to clean the altar of incense and to offer fresh incense usually occurred only once in the lifetime of a priest.
To go … and burn incense. Let me take you back to the book of Exodus and hear the command.... Exod 30:7-8
7 And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, 8 and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations.
1:10 Time for the burning of incense. We are not told whether this was the morning or evening time.
Temple. Temple (naos) here refers to the sanctuary proper and not the entire temple complex (hieron) as in , , .
Temple. Temple (naos) here refers to the sanctuary proper and not the entire temple complex (hieron) as in , , .
Now Zechariah was serving in the temple, the hour of incense is upon them and Zechariah is tending to the altar. People are praying outside…
1:10 Time for the burning of incense. We are not told whether this was the morning or evening time.
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
This indicates that God’s providential leading caused Zechariah to be chosen. For Luke this was not the result of “chance” or “fate.” God was clearly in control of this event. See Introduction 8 (1).
Since so many priests served the temple (about eighteen thousand), entering the holy place to clean the altar of incense and to offer fresh incense usually occurred only once in the lifetime of a priest.
To go … and burn incense. Compare Exod 30:7–8.
Temple. Temple (naos) here refers to the sanctuary proper and not the entire temple complex (hieron) as in Luke 2:27, 37, 46.
1:10 Time for the burning of incense. We are not told whether this was the morning or evening time.
Now lets look at verses 11-17
11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been 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 before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
Suddenly verse 11 says.. “And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.”
Now Zechariah was serving in the temple, the hour of incense is upon them and Zechariah is tending to the altar. People are praying outside…
We know the angel is Gabriel, a archangel, who stands in the presence of God and was sent to Zechariah …verse 19 for a reference.
The right side is the favored side, like the right hand side of God, where Jesus sits..
And verse 12 tells us that Zechariah was troubled, … listen we would all be bothered inside of ourselves at this point
Suddenly verse 11 says.. “And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.”
And verse 13 the angel reassures Zechariah to not be afraid...
And then verses 13-17 we see what is said to Zechariah, what this promised child is said to accomplish for the Lord.
12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been 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 before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God,
17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
Listen to what is said….
A. Zechariah, your prayer has been heard… They had prayed for a child, much like Abraham and Sarah so long before them had prayed and now they have heard from the Lord. Your wife would have a son and they could call his name John.
B. You will have joy and gladness, and so many others would rejoice at his birth. John’s life, ministry and message would be a source of joy to the world.
C. In the Spirit and Power of Elijah, John would prepare the way for the Lord… John is the last of the prophets, a man between two times if you will.
He is the last of the ones who share the message of “one is coming whom God the Father has prepared for the world.” He is the last of the Old Testament prophets. And he is the first of a new call, the first New Testament prophet, he is declaring the message… He (the Lord) is coming quickly, prepare yourself to see the glory of God.
The message was a divine one, God sent his angel to Zechariah to tell him what was to come, and how he would bless the lives of many.
D. Here is the best one, the message John declared verse 16 tells us “would turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
The angel came as a visitor of preparation… Gabriel was telling these parents of a promised son, who would declare the glory and majesty of the Lord
After 400 years of silence…. As the Lord was silent for 400 years while Jacob’s sons, the children of Israel were in the land of Egypt…God raised up a person to lead them back to the Lord their God….
So now after 400 years of silence from the end of Malachi in the Old Testament, God send his angel, Gabriel to Zechariah, and tells of the coming of a son, who would prepare the way for His children to return to Him.
Here is a question, if the Lord sent his messenger to you today, would you receive that message and follow.
Now lets move to verses 18-25
18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
Verse 18 is where we all can identify.... it is the issue of faith.
Why is this so hard to believe the angel? If just a person told us this… we would be like, do you see who you are looking at… I am old and so is she…
But it is the angel.. and his faith is week. In truth he is asking for a sign… how can I know this to be true.
But verse 19 the Angel makes it clear why he could be trusted....
He gives his name,
His place and
His service (being sent to deliver this message to Zechariah)
Interesting Gabriel is mentioned in the OT as well. He is mentioned in Daniel chapter 8 and 9.
Interesting Gabriel is mentioned in the OT as well.
This message was good news since John the Baptist would help prepare the way for Jesus
Verse 20 tells us that He is given a sign, one because he did not believe the Lord.
You will be silent. Zechariah graciously was given a sign as an aid to faith even though the sign also was a rebuke for lack of faith. The sign was a punitive miracle but contained the promise “until the day this happens.” Muteness is a sign in ; .
Verse 21…
21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple.
A delay in the priest’s leaving the sanctuary would cause alarm and concern
Now verse 22
22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute.
He could not speak to them. According to Tamid 7.2 priests coming out of the holy place were expected to pronounce a customary blessing, such as , upon the people. Whether Luke’s readers would have known this is uncertain. implies that Zechariah also could not hear.
They realized he had seen a vision. Luke did not say how they came to this conclusion, but the implication is that they noted the delay and the muteness of Zechariah and assumed that something must have happened in the sanctuary where God dwelt.
Now verses 23-25
23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
Luke 1:23-25
1:23 Tells us that after his serviice ended, he returned to his home.
1:24 For five months remained in seclusion. We know of no custom that would have required Elizabeth to do this. During this period her pregnancy apparently was unknown (cf. 1:36). Some have suggested that Elizabeth went into seclusion in order to avoid reproach from incredulous neighbors during the time when her pregnancy was not obvious. Luke, however, did not explain why Elizabeth remained in seclusion, but this explains Mary’s ignorance of Elizabeth’s pregnancy in 1:36.
1:25 The Lord has done this for me. In typical Jewish piety praise is addressed to God for what he has done. Attention was focused by Elizabeth for her neighbors and by Luke for his readers on the “Blessor” rather than the blessing. Compare ; —“God has.”
He has … taken away my disgrace. For childlessness as a disgrace, see comments on 1:6. (The hoti that begins this sentence should be left untranslated. It is best understood as introducing a quotation rather than a causal clause.)
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
1:20 You will be silent. Zechariah graciously was given a sign as an aid to faith even though the sign also was a rebuke for lack of faith. The sign was a punitive miracle but contained the promise “until the day this happens.” Muteness is a sign in Ezek 3:26; 24:27 and a judgment in 2 Macc 3:29.
Because you did not believe my words. This was the punitive reason for the sign.
1:21 A delay in the priest’s leaving the sanctuary would cause alarm and concern (cf. Yoma 5.1 and Yoma 52b).
1:22 He could not speak to them. According to Tamid 7.2 priests coming out of the holy place were expected to pronounce a customary blessing, such as Num 6:24–26, upon the people. Whether Luke’s readers would have known this is uncertain. Luke 1:62 implies that Zechariah also could not hear.
They realized he had seen a vision. Luke did not say how they came to this conclusion, but the implication is that they noted the delay and the muteness of Zechariah and assumed that something must have happened in the sanctuary where God dwelt.
1:23 This transition verse explains the return of Zechariah and Elizabeth to their home somewhere in Judah (1:39).
1:24 For five months remained in seclusion. We know of no custom that would have required Elizabeth to do this. During this period her pregnancy apparently was unknown (cf. 1:36). Some have suggested that Elizabeth went into seclusion in order to avoid reproach from incredulous neighbors during the time when her pregnancy was not obvious. Luke, however, did not explain why Elizabeth remained in seclusion, but this explains Mary’s ignorance of Elizabeth’s pregnancy in 1:36.
1:25 The Lord has done this for me. In typical Jewish piety praise is addressed to God for what he has done. Attention was focused by Elizabeth for her neighbors and by Luke for his readers on the “Blessor” rather than the blessing. Compare Gen 21:6; 30:23—“God has.”
He has … taken away my disgrace. Compare Gen 30:23. For childlessness as a disgrace, see comments on 1:6. (The hoti that begins this sentence should be left untranslated. It is best understood as introducing a quotation rather than a causal clause.)
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been 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 before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been 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 before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”