Zechariah's Vision

Intro

Don’t worry, I’m not going to rap for you again… or ever.

Too much grey in my beard to be doing that kind of stuff...

Introduce Zechariah and Elizabeth:

Zechariah = a priest in the division of Abijah

Elizabeth = a daughter of Aaron (priestly descent)

Their shared lineage brought incredible religious prestige

Both were righteous and walking blamelessly before God

They loved the Lord, kept His commandments… they should be living a life of blessing!

But, they had no child; Elizabeth was barren and they were old.

Barreness carried shame (considered God’s punishment or sign of disfavour)

Season of Silence

Zechariah and Elizabeth were in a season of silence

I am sure they had prayed to God for years about having a child, and they didn’t hear an answer

How frustrating this must have been for them!

We will all experience times in our life when prayer goes unanswered, and we feel far from God.

For some, this has been the exact same struggle with infertility. Others, unanswered prayers for healing, or restoration of a relationship.

Maybe it has been a spiritually dry season for you, when reading Scripture feels like a chore and closeness to God seems impossible.

Don’t be ashamed of a season of silence

Luke took pains to show that Zechariah and Elizabeth did NOT deserve to be barren.

They were righteous and blameless! Scripture repeatedly teaches that our experiences of brokneness and unanswered prayera are NOT always a result of God’s punishment:

Job (OT example); cf. John 9:1-3 (blind man)

Likewise, you should not feel shame when you experience a season of silence.

This cheapens our view of God and belittles His love towards us. It is not your fault!

Of course, there are still consequences for our sin.

So confess and forsake your sin, and continue to abide in Christ.

Don’t be content in a season of silence

While we do not need to carry shame, we should also look to the end of spritually dry times in our life.

I truly believe Zecharaiah and Elizabeth persistently prayed and sought God, which we are also commanded to do.

Even if spiritual disciplines feel like a chore, do them! This is how you can get through a time like this.

Spiritual renewal will often come out of a time of barrenness.

*Use analogy of spring after winter*

Like our story, does God have something BIGGER in mind?

Waiting can whet our appetite for something we long for.

*Talk about The Phantom Menace (16 yrs)*

Israel was also enduring a time of silence from God.

Last prophet was Malachi (400 years ago!)

When God chose to break His silence, it was personal (Zechariah) and communal (all of Israel; even the world).

Fear Factor

Zechariah had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to offer incense in the Temple.

More priests than preistly duties; cast lots (yahtzee!)

Worshippers stayed in the courtyard while Zechariah went (alone) into the holy place, to offer incense on the altar right outside the curtain of the Holy of Holies.

And standing right there beside the altar, after years of unanswered prayer, after centuries of his people not hearing from God, was an angel!

Zechariah was… troubled, and terrified.

The angel’s response? “Do not be afraid”

Fear God (awe and reverance)

It is no small thing to encounter God, or one of His supernatural messengers.

Angels are not sitting on fluffy clouds, strumming a harp and eating Philadelphia cream cheese.

They are the supernatural messengers and warriors of the Lord Most High.

We would ALL be afraid!

Fear is called for, when it comes from a place of awe and reverance for the Creator of the Universe.

Cf. Psalm 33:8 - 9.

Don’t ever understimate God or lose sight of His mighty power; God is to be feared.

Don’t be afraid of God

Proper fear puts us in our place compared to God; but we don’t need to be afraid of Him because of His heart toward us.

Could God crush everyone under his thumb? Absolutely! What did He choose to do instead? Leave behind splendour and glory to lay down His own life in humility upon the cross to give us life.

The Gospel is all the proof we we need that God has our best in mind. That He has chosen to use His infinite power to work on our behalf.

Because of this, we need not fear. God is for us; who can be against us?

Doubting Zechariah

What was the angel’s proof that Zecharaih need not be afraid? “for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John” (v. 13)

The season of silence is over! God has heard their prayers, and he has chosen to answer in a miraculous way.

Not only was the couple’s prayer answered, but God’s silence to His people and the world was broken.

This son would be a prophet in the spirit of Elijah: Cf. Mal. 4:5 - 6

The final words of the Lord (400 years ago) prepared His people for this day.

This miracle would not only impact Israel, but the whole world, as John would be on mission to prepare everyone for Jesus Christ.

This message was (literally) unbelievable… and Zechariah doubted.

Parallel with Abraham and Sarah, who laughed

The angel responds in forceful way (read v. 19 - 20)

The consequence of Zechariah’s doubt is that he cannot speak until his son is born.

God has plans even bigger than we can imagine

There is nothing that our God can’t do! So when we ask Him to move, we should not be surprised at the creative (miraculous) way He chooses.

You want spiritual renewal, or do you want to feel better as you go about your life like usually.

God has more in store for you! More than you can ask, imagine, or be prepared for.

To ask for renewal (revival) to ask for the unexpected to happen. And when it does, will we trust, or doubt?

Spiritual renewal begins with trust (not doubt)

Zechariah was a man of faith, and still he struggled with doubt.

We do too! This is a big lesson to learn.

Yet he also came around, and when John was born, his lips were opened, and he prayed, and he prophesied:

This prayer and prophecy leads us back to where all hope, life, and renewal is found: Jesus Christ. Let us read these words of truth for our own renewal:

Cf. Luke 1:67 - 79 and pray.

Take it Home

Have you experienced a season of silence with God? Are you in one now?

Read Psalm 33 and meditate on the proper fear of the Lord.

Prepare yourself for God's unexpected plans by praying for openness and trust.