How would your life experience change if you trusted God more and accepted your circumstances instead of resisting them?
Luke 1 msg
During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old.
It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment, it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense. The congregation was gathered and praying outside the Temple at the hour of the incense offering.
Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense. Zachariah was paralyzed in fear.
But the angel reassured him, “Don’t fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You’re going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you—many will delight in his birth. He’ll achieve great stature with God…
He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God. He will herald God’s arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he’ll get the people ready for God.”
Zachariah said to the angel, “Do you expect me to believe this? I’m an old man and my wife is an old woman.”
But the angel said, “I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. But because you won’t believe me, you’ll be unable to say a word until the day of your son’s birth. Every word I’ve spoken to you will come true on time—God’s time.”
Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary. When he came out and couldn’t speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people.
When the course of his priestly assignment was completed, he went back home. It wasn’t long before his wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy. “So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!” she said.
Consider Zachariah's experience. Can you imagine being Zachariah?? There’s a lot of stress for poor Zachariah in this story! As I read this story imagining myself as Zachariah, here's what happens:
I know that this is my one chance…to enter the sanctuary and burn incense. The whole congregation is gathered outside, ready and praying.
Suddenly, in a flash of blinding light, an angel appears, just to the right of the incense. I am paralyzed with fear. (According to Luke, Zachariah was too.)
The angel says, "Don't fear. " (Of course he does. Don't they always?) Hearing this doesn’t change my fear level one bit.
The angel then goes on to tell me that my barren wife, now quite old, will bear me a son. As I hear this, my fear begins to dispel as I realize that this "angel" is either totally misinformed, or a figment of my imagination.
Maybe I’m imagining things. My fear rises again. When I voice my incredulity I'm struck dumb by the angel.
Peace is the last thing I'm feeling, and yet on Sunday we celebrate Advent II - Peace. I invite you to reread the Story imagining that you, as Zachariah, trust Gabriel, trust that he is who he says he is, and trust that God will do what Gabriel says he will. Trust changes everything.
I hope to see you on Sunday. CVC will be having a Potluck lunch after worship. It will be held downstairs in the Dogwood Room, behind the stage. Please come whether you can bring something or not - there is always lots of food!
