*Day 18 - Zechariah*

This week we will be reading and talking about the events leading up to Jesus’ birth.

Today’s story is about Zechariah.

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. –Luke 1:1-7

Zechariah was a priest and his wife was Elizabeth. Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. Remember Aaron? He was Moses’ brother. This tells us that Elizabeth comes from a long line of priests. Luke says that both Zechariah and Elizabeth were good people and loved God. Elizabeth couldn’t have children and both her and Zechariah were in their old age. In the temple, there were 24 divisions of priests who would serve for a week, twice a year. When it was Zechariah’s division’s turn to serve in the temple, they all drew lots, and Zechariah was chosen to burn incense. While he was burning the incense and praying, something amazing happened:

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. –Luke 1:8-13

Can you imagine how scared Zechariah must have been!? He was just praying, and the next thing he knew, an angel was talking to him! The angel told Zechariah that his prayers had been heard and that God was going to answer those prayers by giving him a son.

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.” -Luke 1:14-25

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.-Luke 1:57-66

There were miraculous circumstances surrounding the birth of Zechariah and Elizabeth's son, John. You may know John and not realize it. Most often, he is referred to as John The Baptist. He was a miracle baby and cousin of Jesus.

John's miraculous conception and birth signaled the beginning of something incredible: Jesus would soon be born. As adults, John would go before Jesus and prepare the hearts of many people to receive Jesus as savior.

In the temple, Zechariah was terrified and doubted what the angel said. After all, he was very old, and had given up on ever having children. But God used Zechariah's family in an amazing way. John's birth was only the beginning of the miracles that would happen in the book of Luke.

What sticks out to you the most in this story? Is it the angel who spoke directly to Zechariah? Is it Zechariah's doubt and proceeding muteness? Is it John's miraculous conception? Is it the townspeople's reaction to his birth?

Whatever resonates with you in this story, spend some time in prayer about whatever it might be. This is the beginning of the greatest story ever told.