Guide our Feet into the Path of Peace...
He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever. Psalm 136:23 NIV
What do we need to know about Zacharias or I mean, Zechariah or Zachariah!? Actually all the names are correct depending on the version of the Bible you are reading. Regardless, the name means “remembered”.
God remembers Zechariah. God remembers you too.
Let’s enter his story. Zechariah is a priest who faithfully serves his people. We read the same of Zechariah as we did of Elizabeth, “together they were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord”. (Luke 1:6)
However…
They had no child and “they were both well advanced in years”. (Luke 1:7)
As a man and head of his family, do you think Zechariah felt helpless? Did he comfort his wife and at the same time take it up with God?
We know he prayed concerning the barrenness because the angel of the Lord who appears says, “your prayer has been heard”. What do you think those prayers sounded like?
Do you ever feel helpless in protecting those you love from emotional pain?
God Orchestrates Every Detail
This particular year Zechariah was “chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.” In my research, I encountered many different numbers of priests they think his lot was chosen from, but it is safe to say it was in thousands.
Not only was his lot chosen, but he was given the role of burning incense. The importance of this lot is: although three priests enter the holy place to prepare, only one remains alone to burn the incense and offer prayer.
God has Zechariah alone in the holy place to deliver this message through the angel.
What Was Zechariah Praying?
Most likely Zechariah makes two pleas on behalf of his people: one, for the entire nation who was under oppressive Roman rule at that time and, two, for the coming of the Messiah.
Most likely he is not praying for his own needs at the time when the angel appears and proclaims,
Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard…
Once Elizabeth was advanced in age, I assume Zechariah had stopped asking for a child. However, all the prayers he did pray years before remained.
Dear Reader,
God hears and holds every single one of your prayers.
The Angel Continues...
(Read this portion with a crescendo, the angel is proclaiming wonderful things to come!!)
Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.
And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1:13-17
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” or the Message version interprets it as such, “Do you expect me to believe this?”
The crescendo ends in dissonance. Zechariah’s response does not mirror the angel’s and the angel responds with this chastisement.
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 appointed time. Luke 1:20
I have no judgment for Zechariah. I have responded in the same unbelieving manner at times. What do you think he thought after this?
- Is he kicking himself for not believing the angel the first time?
- Does he wonder if he will ever talk again? (The angel gives a timeframe for how long he will not be able to speak, but John is born and Zechariah still does not immediately have his speech back.)
- Does it affect his vocation? We assume a priest would lead the congregation in songs and readings.
What did God want Zechariah to learn in the stillness? What do we learn when we stop chattering to God and just listen?
God of Second Chances
He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God Luke 1:63-64
Zechariah failed to trust God the first time, but God gave Zechariah a second chance. Our God is so good, so patient with us.
What does Zechariah do when he gets his voice back? He starts praising God. Read his song in its entirety here, but it ends with…
to guide our feet into the path of peace. Luke 1:79
Dear reader, the Prince of Peace came into this world at Christmas. He left peace that is ours for the taking, making the same proclamation the angel made, “do not be afraid”.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
How will you respond this Christmas Season?
Single Dads, You are not forgotten. It is recognized that the rate of single dads is growing, whether that is single dads who are solely raising children or dads with shared custody. Your role in your child’s life is important. Click on the left for an article by a fellow writer, Zak Mellgren.
Explore more holiday links below.
