Luke 1:5-12 – Silence Broken
God’s Word has prophesied that when the Messiah comes, someone will go before Him to prepare the way (Malachi 3:1). This forerunner is going to be born into the family of a priest. We can hardly begin to imagine how amazing and important the angel’s message to Zechariah is. It is the first time God speaks to Israel since the days of Malachi, 400 years earlier. Finally, the long silence is broken, the prophesy of Daniel (Daniel 9:25) is fulfiled, and the promise of the seed in whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed is kept (Genesis 22:18).
Zechariah and Elizabeth are godly believers at a time when faith is rare, and most people around them simply go through the motions of religion. In many ways we are in the same kind of situation as them – surrounded by unbelief and hypocrisy. We must work hard at being faithful in all areas of our life as they do.
Even though they are faithful, Zechariah and Elizabeth have trials in their life. This couple is childless,a huge burden to bear at any time, but especially in a culture where to be childless is seen as shame and disgrace. Being a Christian doesn’t exempt you from hardship and suffering. But thankfully, for a believer, trials drive us to God rather than away from Him.
Never do angels appear so much on the earth as they do during the life of Christ. Perhaps one reason for this is to emphasise that Jesus Christ is not just another angel – He is Lord over these angels, and they exist to do His bidding. Zechariah’s reaction is one of fear – fear that comes from his awareness of his sin in contrast to the holiness of the angel. But if we fear judgement before a holy angel, how much more will we fear a holy God. We must give thanks that Christ, our Mediator, takes away this fear enabling us to come before God as our Father.
Questions
1. Why is the appearance of an angel so amazing?
2. Why is Zechariah afraid of this angel?
Prayer Points
1. Give thanks for God’s love for us.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.