#SaturdayDevotion: Luke 1:5-25

 #SaturdayDevotion: Luke 1:5-25

Date: 19th December 2020

Gabriel meets Zechariah

What can we learn from Zechariah in this passage?

God had a plan. A really big plan. The people of God in Israel were a cowed and conquered people, as the land was under Roman occupation. God however, had a plan to bring salvation to the world. 

Zechariah was likely an older man in his sixties. He was a priest. He practiced the habit of worship. He and his wife were godly and sincere. Verse 6 says:

“Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.” 

If we were to be described in the Bible, would the Holy Spirit says this about us? Are we obedient to the word of God in our lives?

Do we want God to speak to us? Do we want a fresh supernatural revelation of God in our lives? If the answer is no, then why not? If the answer is yes, then we should like Zechariah get into the worship and Presence of God. But unlike Zechariah, during worship, we should perhaps be a bit more expectant of God speaking to us. Although he was blameless in observing the Lord’s commandments, verses 18-19 make clear he seems to not believe Gabriel the archangel when he was promised he was about to have a son. Maybe he thought it was too difficult for God to do? We now know with hindsight that God was doing

far more than giving an old man a son. He was preparing the mentors for Mary the mother of Jesus. Verse 17 states He was also bringing the prophet who would prepare the way of the Lord, who in the spirit of Elijah “would reconcile the fathers to their children.” See Luke 1:17.

Zechariah’s son would be known as John the Baptist. A man who is described by Jesus in Luke 7:28 as the greatest man born of women under the Old Testament dispensation.

Gabriel is one of the few named angels in the Bible, alongside Michael. He describes himself as standing in the presence of God, and is therefore an important figure. Zechariah should have taken his message more seriously. Despite Gabriel making clear it was Zechariah’s own prayer that was being answered, Zechariah failed to believe, he just saw his lack and failed to see how mighty God is. 

He stated in verse 18: “

How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well on in years.” 

Whenever God includes us in an important outpouring of the Kingdom of God in our time, like He included Zechariah, do we believe Him and are we ready? Try to honestly answer this question.

The truth is as we read in this passage about Zechariah, it is easy to look at our own lack and give up and say it can’t be done. But God needs people of faith. God through Gabriel did not take Zechariah’s lack of faith and allow it to sabotage His Will. He disciplined him and restored his speech later when he moved in obedience to God’s revelation. See Luke 1:62 - 63. As Jesus taught, He expects us to be ready, for He will come at a time people do not expect. Although the context is the second Coming, it was also true when He works in the world both at that time and now. For other example See Mark 11:12-14 where Jesus looks for fruit on the fig tree and there is none, and see Matthew chapter 25 verses 1-13, in the parable of the foolish virgins who did not bring enough oil and were not ready for Jesus.

Suggested prayer:

Heavenly Father, may we be a worshipful people that are faithful and obedient to Your Word. May You help us to be ready in Your timing to act in faith. We desire to work where You are moving in our generation as You pour out Your salvation.

In Jesus Name. Amen