MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
We continue a series, "introducing Jesus in the gospels", where we first saw John revealing Jesus as the eternal Word, light and life. Matthew illustrated His genealogy rooted in Israel's history. And Luke, a physician and historian, meticulously recorded events to affirm the certainty of Jesus' messiahship. Today, still in Luke's gospel, we shift to a human, historical lens.
The book begins with three announcements, the first of which is the coming of John the Baptist. The story contrasts corruption with faithfulness - doubt with trust - silence with joy - and reminds that God faithfully fulfills His promises in unexpected ways. The history of Israel had begun with God's word to Moses, calling His people out of 400 years of Egyptian slavery. Now in today's story, more than 400 years had passed since the last prophet of Israel had spoken. In the account, Gabriel came to bring a promise of deliverance from their new bondage, this time from Roman occupation, religious legalism, and sin.
Herod, the current king of Israel, was an Idumean, descended from the tribe of Jacob's brother Esau (Edom). During the Hellenistic period in the 2nd century BC, the Edomites were conquered by the Jewish Hasmonean dynasty and forced to convert to Judaism. Herod was confirmed as "King of the Jews" only after he offered Mark Antony a large sum of money, and for the first time in history the throne of Israel was occupied by a non-Jewish ruler. A prophecy in Genesis 49:10 was fulfilled by Herod's reign, and Shiloh in the reference points to Jesus the Messiah. Though he built the second temple, Herod's reign came to symbolize corrupt power.
Luke’s Gospel is concerned with demonstrating the continuity of divine purpose. It also illustrates that God was acting all through the past, even when His works could not be seen. At last, in the days of Herod, God's marvelous love would break into the open, revealing itself in Jewish history and calling, "prepare the way of the Lord".
It wasn't just political leaders in those days who were corrupt; the priesthood of the time was tainted by dishonesty and self-serving. However, the virtue of Zacharias and Elizabeth stood in deep contrast. Both descended from Moses' brother Aaron, this priestly couple exemplified the best of the Old Testament covenant. Luke wrote, “They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord” (Luke 1:6).
Zacharias and Elizabeth had grown old, and they were childless, with no way to carry on the family name and legacy. Barrenness in their culture was equated with failure and hopelessness. So, like Abraham and Sarah, they lived obedient before the Lord, yet their deepest hopes were unfulfilled. We might add that tragedy is no sign of disobedience, nor does faithful obedience guarantee that dreams for this life will be realized. For believers, suffering has a redemptive purpose. It reinforces our faith, helps form Christlike character, strengthens our witness, and gives a deeper understanding of God and life.
And while their petition had been for a son, no doubt both had also prayed for the deliverance of Israel and the coming of a Messiah The story of Zacharias and Elizabeth exposed the limits of the old system, but along with Joseph and Mary, they would be bridging Old Testament ordinances to the fulfillment of kingdom promises.
Through the centuries, the number of Aaron's descendants who qualified for priesthood had grown so great that their service was determined by lot, and a priest might serve his entire life without having the opportunity. But, one day in the temple, Zacharias' lot was drawn, and while others gathered outside, he entered the Holy of Holies. On this special day, the message of God broke into the ritual.
"Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zacharias saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zacharias; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John'" (Luke 1:11-13). The announcement came to him (whose name means "God has remembered") that he and Elizabeth ("oath of God") would have a child who would bring blessing. The baby's name John meant "God is gracious".
The priest of God questioned Gabriel, and though God did not reject Zacharias because of his lack of faith, He did discipline him as a means of instruction. After Zacharias emerged from offering the sacrifice, those outside “realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute. When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home" (Luke 1:22-23).
Gabriel announced hope after centuries of silence, and Zacharias remained silent through the months until the promise was fulfilled. He and Elizabeth became parents in their old age, of a child who grew up to be John the Baptist, forerunner of the Messiah, which fulfilled Isaiah 40:3. Their story reminds us that God uses ordinary but faithful people, in order to fulfill extraordinary promises and turn barrenness into blessing.
