Responding to the Gospel
Introduction
Luke introduces his account of the life of Christ in 1:1-4 by saying, “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled amongst us, just as they were handed down to us by eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account… so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” This is our purpose over the next few weeks as we head towards Christmas. In doing this, I pray that we might know the certainty of the gospel, and respond accordingly. Notice first that in Luke’s introduction, there is…
A Concerned Response (v5-20)
Setting the Scene
In vs.5-7, Luke places his gospel in real time and space. He says, “In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the division of Abijah; his wife was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God… but they had no children. Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well on in years.” Check it out!
A message of repentance
Verses 8-9 go on to say that once Zechariah’s division was on duty in the temple, and he was chosen by lot to burn incense. Zechariah was one of about 20,000 priests in Israel at this time. With so many in service, to be chosen to offer the incense was a privilege that rarely came your way. If it did, you only performed this duty once in a lifetime.
This was exciting for Zechariah, but more was to come. Verse 11 says, “An angel of the Lord appeared—standing at the right side of the altar.” Verse 12 says, “When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and gripped with fear.” In v13, the angel reassures Zechariah: “He said, “Do not be afraid… your prayer has been heard (Zechariah means remembered of the Lord). Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you are to give him the name John (Yahweh is Gracious).” As a priest, Zechariah would have been praying for the redemption of Israel, and this was about to be ushered in through the ministry of his own son. According to vs.14-17, this is in fulfilment of a prophecy in Malachi 3:1 and 4:5 that God’s messenger would come in the spirit and power of Elijah. He is the one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord.” John’s message was one of repentance or turning people back to God. Though this may be unpopular today, it is still the most relevant way to prepare for Christmas.
A relevant message for today
In v18 Zechariah said, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well on in years.” Though Zechariah knew the story of Sarah and Isaac and Hannah and Samuel, he found it hard to believe that this could happen to him. The angel then said, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day it happens.” Zechariah wanted more proof, but instead he was prevented from shouting the good news from the rooftops. Maybe this has happened to us. When the good news about Jesus Christ should be heard above all other voices, there is silence. This takes us from a concerned response to a more...
A Considered Response (v10 And v21-22)
It’s time for church
How many times have you heard the expression, “It’s time for church.” What do we mean by this, and how should we respond? Luke 1:10 says, “When the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshippers were praying outside.” Zechariah was inside leading the worship, but it was taking longer than usual! Verse 21 says, “The people wondered why he stayed so long in the temple.”
Great expectations
The service was well organised, and they were looking at the time and thinking about their lunch! The word waiting in v21 implies a degree of anxiety and even irritation. There is a degree of irony when Zechariah eventually comes out. The people couldn’t wait to find out what was going on, but he couldn’t speak! Verse 22 says, “When he came out, he could not speak, and they realised he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but was unable to speak.”
Listening for a word from God
When it’s time for church, we could prepare for another routine occasion to see our friends, sing a few songs, and hear another message. On the other hand, we could come in prayerful anticipation—expecting God to be here, expecting God to speak, and expecting God to move us on. Matthew 18:20 says, “Where two or three come together in my name, I am there—with them.” This leads from a concerned response to the gospel, and a considered response to...
A Confident Response (Vs.23-25)
Zechariah’s quiet return
Verse 23 says, “When his time of service was completed, Zechariah returned home.” Then with a measure of discrete decorum, v24 says, “After this, Elizabeth became pregnant.”
A miraculous event
Though this was not a virgin birth, it was nevertheless a miracle. Verse 7 says, “Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well on in years.” In a word, they were past it! This is why Elizabeth remained in seclusion for five months. Now at five months, the neighbours could see the pregnancy. Elizabeth then said in v25, “The Lord has done this for me… he has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
God looks on and speaks
Elizabeth means oath of God, and this comes out in a more literal translation of v25, which says, “God has looked upon me.” God is with us today, and he still looks upon us. In the most powerful of Christmas themes, the word became flesh and lived amongst us. Emmanuel has pitched his tent in our street. This is the message John will bring, and it comes to us in the Spirit of Christmas. To be relevant at this time of the year, like Zechariah, we need to hear the voice of God. Then like those in his time, people may take note and listen. To this end, we need to pray and expect; we need to expect and pray; we need to pray and keep on expecting.
Bernard Cartledge