An Angel Promises the Birth of John to Zechariah
Luke 1:5-25
Announcement of the Birth of John the Baptizer
Luke 1:5–25
5In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division† named Zachariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. 7But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.
8When his division was on duty, and he was serving as priest before God, 9it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12When Zachariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear.
13But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zachariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and will never drink wine or beer. And he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. 16He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. 17And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”
18“How can I know this?” Zachariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”
19The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zachariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept making signs to them and remained speechless. 23And when the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.
24After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and kept herself in seclusion† for five months. She said, 25“The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.”[1]
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
Questions
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- What stands out to you about Zechariah and Elizabeth (vv. 5-7)? What feelings do you think the couple might have in light of their barrenness? How does age influence their life?
- What did the angel of the Lord tell Zacharias? (vv. 8-17) What was the significance of the task for for which Zachariah was chosen (see 1 Chronicles 23:13)? Since many priests never had the chance to go into the temple and burn incense, what might he be feeling as he prepares for it? How about when the angel appears?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I apply it to my life starting today?
- Does your life reflect careful obedience and high regard for God's will? (v. 6)
- Of the major characters here, Zechariah Elizabeth, John -- with whom do you identify most? Why? With whom do you identify least? Why?
- When was the last time you doubted God? What caused you doubt?
- Consider Zechariah's and Elizabeth's character (v. 6) and struggle (v. 7) When have you been obedient to God and still felt forgotten? What does this story tell you?
- John prepared the way for the Lord (v. 17) and turn the hearts of the people to God. What can we do today to turn the hearts of people to God?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Zechariah Made Speechless
Luke 1:18-25
Questions
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- What sign did Gabriel give to Zacharias? (vv. 18-20) How would the birth of this son affect Zechariah and Elizabeth? Describe the child's mission in your own words. Why would Zechariah doubt?
- In the meantime, how were the people feeling (v. 21)? What did they think when Zechariah emerged from the temple mute?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I apply it to my life starting today?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
The Angel Gabriel
Gabriel was an archangel, a heavenly being higher in rank than an angel. As a special messenger from God, he appeared to Daniel in the Old Testament (Dan. 8:16). Gabriel’s appearance to Zachariah and to the virgin Mary (Luke 1:26–38) was a dramatic statement from God that the Messiah would soon appear. Some interpreters believe Gabriel is the archangel whose voice will be heard when Christ appears in the clouds (1 Thess. 4:16).
My story begins with a Jewish priest, Zacharias, who lived when Herod was king of Judea. Zacharias was a member of the Abijah division of the Temple Service Corps. (His wife, Elizabeth, was, like himself, a member of the priest tribe of the Jews, a descendant of Aaron.) Zacharias and Elizabeth were godly folk, careful to obey all of God's laws in spirit as well as in letter. But they had no children, for Elizabeth was barren; and now they were both very old.
One day as Zacharias was going about his work in the Temple—for his division was on duty that week—the honor fell to him by lot to enter the inner sanctuary and burn incense before the Lord. Meanwhile, a great crowd stood outside in the Temple court, praying as they always did during that part of the service when the incense was being burned.
Zacharias was in the sanctuary when suddenly an angel appeared, standing to the right of the altar of incense! Zacharias was startled and terrified.
But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias! For I have come to tell you that God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John. You will both have great joy and gladness at his birth, and many will rejoice with you. For he will be one of the Lord's great men. He must never touch wine or hard liquor—and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from before his birth! And he will persuade many a Jew to turn to the Lord his God. He will be a man of rugged spirit and power like Elijah, the prophet of old; and he will precede the coming of the Messiah, preparing the people for his arrival. He will soften adult hearts to become like little children's, and will change disobedient minds to the wisdom of faith."
Zacharias said to the angel, "But this is impossible! I'm an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years."
Then the angel said, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to you with this good news! And now, because you haven't believed me, you are to be stricken silent, unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly come true at the proper time."
Meanwhile the crowds outside were waiting for Zacharias to appear and wondered why he was taking so long. When he finally came out, he couldn't speak to them, and they realized from his gestures that he must have seen a vision in the Temple. He stayed on at the Temple for the remaining days of his Temple duties and then returned home. Soon afterwards Elizabeth his wife became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months.
"How kind the Lord is," she exclaimed, "to take away my disgrace of having no children!"
Hearing God
Luke 1:13, 18, 20, 22 ‐‐ “But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zachariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.’ 18 Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.’ 20 (Angel speaking) ‘And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.’ 22 When Zechariah came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.”
God came to Zechariah through the angel Gabriel to answer his prayers of many years for the child he desired – yet he doubted and questioned God. Zechariah exhibited faith, but when God moved right before his eyes, he not only did not believe – he needed further demonstration of God’s work. Zechariah was blessed to have a further demonstration of God’s intent.
I am struck with the question of how often God comes into my life to answer prayer, to guide me, and to work wonders and I am resistant and oblivious to His presence and work. Often during my prayer times, I am convicted by the Holy Spirit of God’s work in my life. It seems so obvious under the Holy Spirit’s conviction, although I was unaware and unresponsive when it happened.
God promises His work and presence in your life. Colossians 2:9‐10 says, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, Who is the head over every power and authority.” It is a shame to desire God’s promises and then be deaf and blind to His hand in your life. Live in the presence of His glory and work so that you can experience all that God has for you. Live in the expectancy of God’s love and grace knowing that He not only lives in you, but also actively works for your good! Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
1 Corinthians 2:12 “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
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