Luke's Gospel is an orderly account, grounded in historical events such as the priestly division of Abijah and the death of Herod the Great (Luke 1:1-5). This led the former archbishop of Constantinople, St. John Chrysostom, to calculate the birth of the Lord Jesus as taking place on December 25, 5 B.C.
Zechariah was an old man when the lot was cast for his once-in-a-lifetime experience: to offer incense before the veil connecting the Holy Place to the Holy of Holies (Luke 1:8-10). Both he and his wife Elizabeth were direct descendants from Israel's first high priest, Aaron (Luke 1:5).
He and Elizabeth had begged God for a child for many years, but their prayers had not yet been answered, and so he no longer prayed with expectation his prayers would be heard. This can be demonstrated by his questioning the Archangel Gabriel (Luke 1:18-20).
If we would ever see our prayers answered: (1) We must believe God exists, and (2) we must believe that he rewards those who diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
Zechariah believed in God, but he no longer expected his prayers would be answered, so when he asked for a sign, Gabriel struck his mouth: Zechariah could not speak until after he named his son (Luke 1:18-22).
Inasmuch as the Virgin Mary was a relative of Elizabeth's (Luke 1:36), it means that she was a direct descendent of Aaron, too, along with being a direct descendent of King David (Luke 1:32).
Her response to Gabriel's announcement was couched in humility and submission, not unbelief, as can be seen in Gabriel's response to her (Luke 1:34-35).
As we pray, may we be like Mary and not like Zechariah.
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
After serving Grace Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Louisiana, Bob was honorably retired on Sunday, September 27, 2015, and given the title "Pastor Emeritus." This was forty years to the day after he became their pastor.
He now works for the Presbytery of the Gulf South as...
sermonaudio.com | iphone | android | mobile | podcast | transcript | kindle | tablets | gospel of john © 2024 SermonAudio.com. All rights reserved. Site Design: Animotion Studios