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17 December 2007
Word on the Web
Luke 1 v 5-17
During the time Herod ruled Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to Abijah's group. Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, came from the family of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth truly did what God said was good. They did everything the Lord commanded and were without fault in keeping his law. But they had no children, because Elizabeth could not have a baby, and both of them were very old.
One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God, because his group was on duty. According to the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to go into the Temple of the Lord and burn incense. There were a great many people outside praying at the time the incense was offered. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing on the right side of the incense table. When he saw the angel, Zechariah was startled and frightened. But the angel said to him, "Zechariah, don't be afraid. God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give birth to a son, and you will name him John. He will bring you joy and gladness, and many people will be happy because of his birth. John will be a great man for the Lord. He will never drink wine or beer, and even from birth, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will help many people of Israel return to the Lord their God. He will go before the Lord in spirit and power like Elijah. He will make peace between parents and their children and will bring those who are not obeying God back to the right way of thinking, to make a people ready for the coming of the Lord."
Have you ever had one of those days when you know that what's going to happen will be once in a lifetime experience? I had one recently when I had a flying lesson, an absolutely unforgettable experience! Well this was Zechariah's once in a life time experience - a day he'd anticipated for many years. On this day he was to have the very great honour of offering incense on the altar in the holy place right in front of the awesome Holy of Holies. Normally an unforgettable event for any priest - unless God has other plans!
Zechariah and Elizabeth were faithful followers of God, living upright lives. Nevertheless, many would have seen their childlessness as a sign of God's punishment, a thing of shame, especially for Elizabeth. No doubt both of them had implored God for a child, yet after many years of marriage they remained childless. But on this day of great honour God grants an even greater honour - a son for Elizabeth and Zechariah - who would become a Spirit-filled prophet of great renown.
Just when Zechariah had thought things couldn't get any better God graciously trumps his hand with the totally unexpected. Namely the answer to not only his years of longing and praying, but also the longing and praying of the nation of Israel as they awaited the Messiah - whose coming John was to announce.
John's name means 'God has been gracious', and the grace of God is always surprising, unexpected and un-looked for - it wouldn't be grace otherwise (i.e. undeserved favour). Zechariah had an angelic visitor to announce God's favour to him, but we are unlikely to be afforded that luxury. So today, be on the look out for God graciously working in your life in unexpected and surprising, but maybe less dramatic ways!
Lord God please give me eyes to see where you are graciously at work in my own life, in the lives of others and in this world. Help me to live in the light of that grace - knowing myself to be loved, forgiven and called to show the grace of God to others. Amen.
Written by Christine Gore
Word on the Web
Luke 1 v 5-17
During the time Herod ruled Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to Abijah's group. Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, came from the family of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth truly did what God said was good. They did everything the Lord commanded and were without fault in keeping his law. But they had no children, because Elizabeth could not have a baby, and both of them were very old.
One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God, because his group was on duty. According to the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to go into the Temple of the Lord and burn incense. There were a great many people outside praying at the time the incense was offered. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing on the right side of the incense table. When he saw the angel, Zechariah was startled and frightened. But the angel said to him, "Zechariah, don't be afraid. God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give birth to a son, and you will name him John. He will bring you joy and gladness, and many people will be happy because of his birth. John will be a great man for the Lord. He will never drink wine or beer, and even from birth, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will help many people of Israel return to the Lord their God. He will go before the Lord in spirit and power like Elijah. He will make peace between parents and their children and will bring those who are not obeying God back to the right way of thinking, to make a people ready for the coming of the Lord."
Have you ever had one of those days when you know that what's going to happen will be once in a lifetime experience? I had one recently when I had a flying lesson, an absolutely unforgettable experience! Well this was Zechariah's once in a life time experience - a day he'd anticipated for many years. On this day he was to have the very great honour of offering incense on the altar in the holy place right in front of the awesome Holy of Holies. Normally an unforgettable event for any priest - unless God has other plans!
Zechariah and Elizabeth were faithful followers of God, living upright lives. Nevertheless, many would have seen their childlessness as a sign of God's punishment, a thing of shame, especially for Elizabeth. No doubt both of them had implored God for a child, yet after many years of marriage they remained childless. But on this day of great honour God grants an even greater honour - a son for Elizabeth and Zechariah - who would become a Spirit-filled prophet of great renown.
Just when Zechariah had thought things couldn't get any better God graciously trumps his hand with the totally unexpected. Namely the answer to not only his years of longing and praying, but also the longing and praying of the nation of Israel as they awaited the Messiah - whose coming John was to announce.
John's name means 'God has been gracious', and the grace of God is always surprising, unexpected and un-looked for - it wouldn't be grace otherwise (i.e. undeserved favour). Zechariah had an angelic visitor to announce God's favour to him, but we are unlikely to be afforded that luxury. So today, be on the look out for God graciously working in your life in unexpected and surprising, but maybe less dramatic ways!
Lord God please give me eyes to see where you are graciously at work in my own life, in the lives of others and in this world. Help me to live in the light of that grace - knowing myself to be loved, forgiven and called to show the grace of God to others. Amen.
Written by Christine Gore
