Do not be afraid, Zechariah (Luke 1:1-25)

Luke 1:1-25 (NRSV)

1 Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

8 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10 Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 16 He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” 19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”

21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. 23 When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, 25 “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”

November 27, 2016 Sermon Notes

Last week was Christ the King Sunday. We finished up the liturgical year with words from the prophet Isaiah proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor as the exiles returned from captivity and worked to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. A great deal has happened in the nation of Israel between last week’s text and today’s reading. In the centuries that passed the Jewish people briefly regained their independence, fought against Greeks, and then ultimately invited the Romans in to protect them from their enemies. Eventually protection became occupation and God seemed to fall silent.

Nearly 450 years after the last words of the Old Testament were spoken by the prophet Malachi, God’s promises had begun to sound like so much fantasy. Sure, faithful priests like Zechariah were going through the motions of religious devotion on behalf of the nation, but if he and his wife Elizabeth were still childless after years of righteousness why should anyone believe in the promises of God?

This is where many of us are today. We feel that we do all the right things. We worship. We pray. We try to do what is right. Despite all of that, however, it seems like God is not paying attention and our world just seems to go from bad to worse. Why should we believe the promises of God, when all evidence seems to point in exactly the opposite direction?

That is why there is so much comfort in Zechariah and Elizabeth’s story. When they had gotten far beyond the point of having any hope of fulfillment, God intervened in their lives. The first step was the vision that Zechariah had while serving in the temple. In their day there were far more priests than needed. They had to work in shifts, and the jobs got divided by drawing straws. Going into the holiest part of the temple to light the incense was a once in a life honor. In today’s story, Zechariah had that privilege. While he was alone in the holiest place in Israel he had an experience that would change everything.

He encountered the angel Gabriel. The angel appeared to Zechariah and scared him to death. Despite assurances that he did not need to be afraid and that God would fulfill the promises made by the Old Testament prophets in his lifetime, Zechariah did not believe what he was hearing. Ultimately, he was temporarily made a mute as a sign of Gabriel’s authority and then sent home where Elizabeth became pregnant for the first time in her life. Their son, John the Baptist, would have the awesome responsibility of paving the way for the Messiah himself.

The beauty of this story is that it is a reminder of the fact that even when it feels like God’s promises have been forgotten, God still hears our prayers and answers them in surprising ways. During Advent we are waiting for the fulfillment of the promise of a Messiah. We are preparing ourselves to receive the gift of Jesus in Bethlehem.

The birth of God’s Son always seems to catch us unaware. Sometimes we do not believe what we are hearing. We need to be reminded of God’s faithfulness. Just as the angel Gabriel spoke into Zechariah and Elizabeth’s life, today the Holy Spirit speaks into our lives to remind us that our prayers have been heard and God has shown favor on our world. The one about whom John the Baptist spoke is real. Jesus Christ is coming.