Angel Visit [Part 5]

Lk. 2: 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. For nothing will be impossible with God. 

Elizabeth and Zechariah were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child because Elizabeth was barren and they were both advanced in years. Zechariah was a priest who served in the temple on a rotation basis. On one such day, he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense while the people prayed outside. But inside something happened that was totally unexpected. An angel of the Lord appeared to him. Zechariah was greatly troubled at this event. [Perhaps not the best response from a priest of the Lord.] 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. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 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. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 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." 

After such an announcement Zechariah's heart should have been bursting with joy, but no. His need to understand superseded his joy. How could this be since he and his wife were old?  His doubt did not set well with the angel who very quickly responded.  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. 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." Yikes! Why was Zechariah's heart doubting? He and his wife had been described as blameless in regard to the commandments and statutes of the Lord. Was his ministry merely a an outward obedience? Could it be that he was so old that this totally caught him off guard? Was he so set in his ways that he could not imagine or handle an appearance of an angel? Whatever was driving his response, he would have a time of silence to meditate on what he had done and on what Gabriel had told him.

The people waiting outside the temple were concerned for Zechariah. Had something happened? Was he alive? Finally, he came out but unable to speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision. His countenance must have been greatly altered. Trying to make signs, he could not communicate at all, and at the end of his service went home. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among the people. For Elizabeth it was the answer to many years of praying. She was no long barren! Her reproach was lifted! Such good news could not but turn her heart heavenward. 

Since the angel's words to Mary, she came to visit. Making the journey quickly, she entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. And as soon as Elizabeth heard this greeting, the baby leaped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Both women could see the Lord's hand in all of this. How exciting to be the birth mother of these two boys, to feel the Holy Spirit so strongly, and to be part of God's plan for all mankind. All around a very joyful time! 

Why would John leap in his mother's womb? Gabriel had said the baby would be great before the Lord, not drinking wine or strong drink, filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb...Even though it did not come as a shock to the couple or to Mary, it validated all the angelic message. In essence John was leaping for joy at Jesus' entry to this world. For these two boys, their lives would be short, but they would be used by God in phenomenal ways!

Father,

Prepare my heart to hear all You have for me. Help my fear or doubt not hinder Your working in my life. I confess many times I do fear and doubt. Lord, work in my life in this area. Strengthen my every resolve for good so that it will be totally done in Your strength.

In Jesus name,

Amen