TWO OLD PERSONS’ LIFE OF FAITH
Luke 1:1-25
Key Verse 1:6
“Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.”
Two months ago we began our Luke’s Gospel study series beginning with Luke 3. The chapter described the ministry of John the Baptist. Today we go back to Luke 1 to study the ministry of the parents of John the Baptist. As one great preacher once shared: “Sometimes you have to go back before you can go forward.” Every year we go back to Bible passages that help prepare our minds and hearts to celebrate the good news of the birth of our glorious Savior Jesus Christ. While preparing this message I came to realize God uses old people to carry out his world redemptive work. God in his wisdom to keep mankind humble uses both old people like Zechariah and Elizabeth and young people like shepherd boy David. Therefore whether we’re old or young all that matters is that we stay humble and keep faithfully seeking to follow God by obeying the teachings of the Bible. This is what Zechariah and Elizabeth did during the very dark times they lived in.
Part 1. Zechariah, Your Prayers Has Been Heard (1-13)
The first four verses of this chapter are rich in content, meaning and application. However, for the sake of not straying from the main theme of this message I will only mention what is written in verse 4; “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” In this uncertain world we live where even our own personal schedule is uncertain we must be reminded these words that come from the Bible are absolutely certain. Let us now look at a time that was extraordinarily uncertain and how an old couple overcame their uncertain times by faithfully observing the commandments of God.
First, the dark and uncertain times of Herod king of Judea. Look at verse 5 “In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Araon.” To give a historical time of the events of this chapter we see these events happened under the most ruthless times of a king known as Herod or Herod the Great. He was a gentile appointed by Rome to be king over a Jewish nation. Under his rule not even Herod’s own sons were certain of tomorrow. Two of them he strangled to death with his own bear hands. We are told in Matthew’s Gospel when he heard the news baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem he ordered the immediate execution of all baby boys two years and younger. There is no comparison between our time and Herod’s time. Herod had the authority of Rome night or day to execute immediately anyone who in his paranoid mind he thought posed a threat to his or Roman rule.
However Luke skims over Herod as if he was nothing and places his focus on the lives of two old people Zechariah and Elizabeth. This couple had priestly blood flowing in their veins that went back all the way to the first Hebrew priest Araon. Nevertheless, this is not what is eye catching about this couples lives. What grab our attention are the words in verse 6 “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.” In a time where marriages are unstable, the authority of God’s word is always called into question or even resented and having skeletons in closet is the norm, indeed this verse is very eye catching. Both, not just one of the couple, were upright in the sight of God. Many marriages lose that honeymoon spirit. Nor is it uncommon to see one partner drift away from the Lord. What did this couple do to be upright in the sight of the Lord? Our Bible recognizes them as people who observed all the Lord commandments and regulations blamelessly. Not only did they outwardly keep all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly, they also did it with a humble spirit. Verse 7 reads: “But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.” According to verse 25 not having children was a disgraceful matter. This means though they observed all the Lord’s commands and regulations blamelessly they did not go around casting critical and faulting finding eyes on everyone else. At the same time they didn’t use their no-children problem to give them an excuse to comprise God’s word. Often we may put limits on when or when we will not obey God’s word. When we get everything we want, we obey. If we do not get what we want, we disobey. This was not this couples way of life. When they were young zealous believers they obeyed God’s word. When they were old they observed God’s commands. Even when they had a severe life problem they continue to obey. From them we learn what it means to be faithful. On the great Day of Judgment what do we want to hear from Jesus? Is it not his words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Is there any doubt this is what the Lord will say to Zechariah and Elizabeth: “Well done good and faithful servants.” You were faithful in a land full of unfaithfulness. You were faithful to each other. You were faithful to me your whole life, even though you could have used your no child problem to be unfaithful.” What I learn from this couple is their faithfulness to God and to each other. Faithfulness that has value is like a pearl. A pearl is formed from sand collecting in a clam over a long period of time. Likewise that faithfulness Jesus is looking for comes over a long period of time. In sickness and in health. In good times and in hard times.
Part 2. He will be a Joy and Delight to You
Actually Zechariah held a very important and respected position as a priest. We can appreciate his position by the description given us in verses 8-10. Zechariah was serving as priest before God. This means Zechariah was in the high position ordained by God to represent God’s people in important matters of forgiveness of sins, and to ask God’s help and blessing. As one way of praying to God the priest would choose one priest by lot among 24 divisions. Each division was made up of 1000 priests. This chosen priest would then go into the temple alone, burn incense and pray to the Lord while the people gathered outside the temple. The Bible tells us the way they picked the priest who would burn this incense was by lottery. Zechariah was chosen by lot to burn the incense. This means he won the lottery. No, it wasn’t a lottery he could collect great sums of money. It was however a lottery that placed him in a prime location to pray to God and have that prayer answered. Because of this fact it is often agreed that many priests who won the lottery to burn incense went into the temple with a secret prayer topic to pray for along with all the prayers they had to pray for the nation of Israel.
I’ve listened to many people share over the years about what to pray for, what not to pray for and when to pray for it. I believe if a person is a sincere before God, all things are OK to pray for if they in someway glorify God and can help other people. One thing is certain; prayer topics give reasons to go to church. Like most people who have been in UBF I have been to countless Sunday worships. I can honestly say the Sunday worships I received the most personal grace from are those I take with me my own secrete prayer topic to pray for during Sunday worship. Secret prayer topics keep us connected to God. I find my spiritual life becomes artificial if I don’t have a secrete prayer topic. As for Zechariah it was his secret prayer topic we find which grabbed hold of God’s attention and which moved him to send his angle to let Zechariah know he would answer his prayer.
Now let us look at what it may be like to meet an angle whose purpose for existence is to stand in the presence of God Almighty. Look at verses 11and12. Books and movies have all been made focusing on what it is like for a human to meet an angle. Mostly they portray angles as nice people with supernatural power doing nice things. In the Bible I find angels always seem to generate great fear in those who personally witness them. Even if they are sent to bring good news they seem to cause those they visit to be gripped with a paralyzing fear. This was Zechariah’s reaction.
What was the message this angle of God was sent to give to Zechariah? Let us read verses 13 and 14. He told Zechariah not to be afraid because his prayer for a son had been heard. To be a witness to others that his son was an answer to his prayer the angle gave John as the name he should give his son. Moreover the angle told Zechariah this son would be a joy and delight to Zechariah. We know it is not unusual to hear a son become a source of grief to his parents when he becomes old. What then would this son John do, which would make him a source of joy and delight? Let us read verses 15-17.
First, he will live a pure life. Notice the words: “He is never to take wine or other fermented drink.” We can say fermented drink is wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages. Throughout my life I have again and again seen men and women turn from acting normal to acting angry, crazy and do many things later they greatly regret because they drank too much fermented drink. Notice the only parental advice the angle gives to Zechariah is to make sure no fermented drink is to be given John. This is parental advice all parents should consider. We know children grow to become adults. Often as an adult they acquire a vice or addiction to an unhealthy substance or life style. Personally I believe many of these unhealthy life styles were acquired or learned when the adult was a child living under their parents. As parents one of the best influences we can give our children is an influence to live a pure life.
Secondly, John would be a joy and delight because of his mission to bring many of the people of Israel back to the Lord their God. It is the tendency of men to draw attention to themselves. When you stand in the isle at a store to buy even most insignificant item you are forced to look at countless magazines with either a man or woman posing on it with the purpose of drawing your attention to them. John would do just the opposite. His message was always the same: Repent and produce fruits in keeping with repentance. He did even more to make himself less attractive. He lived in the hot lonely desert, ate locust and wild honey and wore camel skins as his primary clothing. On the other hand he did everything possible to make Jesus more attractive. He told the crowds that came out to see him: “One more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Third, he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children. John was way ahead of his time in this part of his ministry. Only in the last 20 to 30 years have people discovered how important it is for fathers to take a heart concern for the wellbeing of their children. Fathers should teach their children courage, unconditional love, self-control and pray for them that Jesus may lead them in paths of righteousness for his Name sake. It would be a very interesting study to see what kind of father men and women who go to prison had around their house when they were growing up. Often I have heard terms like dominating mother and weak and ineffective father. Practically the Bible teaches what fathers should do so we won’t be remembered as a weak and ineffective father. First we should start by working to open our mouths. Thousands of years ago when we opened our mouths the deer we were hunting would run away or our enemy would hear us. For the sake of survival we did not open our mouths. But that was 1000 of years ago. Now for a man to turn his heart to their children should open their mouths. What should come out of our mouths? Deut 6:6-7 the Lord tells us: “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” As fathers we should be the first bible study teachers our children are introduced to.
Let us now look at Zechariah’s response to this good news that angle brought him. In verse 18 he asks the angle: “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years” Do you think this is a justifiably good question? On the surface it seems harmless enough. Additionally he is recognized as a man who is upright in the sight of God and blameless in all he does. Not so to the ears of an angle whose constant job generation after generation is to stand in the presence of God Almighty. This angle is much attuned to the fact faith is everything to God. He is also aware the tiniest doubt can become like yeast and spread to everyone and ruin their faith.
Look at verses 19 and 20. Notice the major problem the angle sees. He gives Zechariah the good news that God will answer his prayer but he does not believe this good news. The angle bluntly tells Zechariah he would not be able to speak a word until this good news is fulfilled because he did not immediately believe the message. Our God is very gracious. He gives us even greater good news. He gives us the good news of Jesus Christ death for our sins and his resurrection and the hope of eternal salvation in his Kingdom. Some people hear and hear and hear this message and still don’t believe. As we see here God takes such signs of unbelief very seriously. It is noteworthy the angle gave Zechariah dumb training to help him overcome his unbelief and not become a source of unbelief. From this we can learn we should self impose dumb training on ourselves if the words we speak spread unbelief and doubt. Jesus was a master at helping his people overcome unbelief. Once he said to a synagogue ruler who was given a report his daughter died. “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” When we just believe in Jesus our prayers will be answered. When we just belief in Jesus Christ we will receive the good news of God. Today let us just believe in the good news of Jesus Christ.
Finally let us look at verses 23-24. Zechariah completed his service as priest of the temple and went home. Soon after this his wife who was well along in years became pregnant. God answered this couple’s prayer. He was true to his words. Elizabeth’s own testimony to this event is very gracious. Together let us read verse 25. “The Lord has done this for me. In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” Some become proud when God blesses them. It’s difficult to share their joy.” Elizabeth on the other hand acknowledges God’s favor to take away her disgrace. Her testimony helps us to see the grace of God in her life.
Thanksgiving is soon to come and then Christmas. Let us take time and go back and remember all the favor God has given us through sending his Glorious Son Jesus Christ. Let us also remember what Zechariah and Elizabeth did during the dark times they lived in. They dedicated their lives to being faithful to God both in observing his commands and praying to Him. Faithful people like these were kind of people God used to usher in Jesus Christ the light of the world.