The Christmas Story begins when an angel visits Zacharias
Treasure the Quiet Moments wouldn’t be complete without reading through the Christmas story. Each week we will ponder a portion in Matthew and Luke.
Today we are reading in Luke 1:5-25 ESV
(Click to View the passage or grab your Bible)
Pondering the Christmas Story – Zacharias
The last echo of God’s voice to His people through the prophets resulted in 400 years of silence because of their unbelief. Not a word was heard from the LORD until the angel Gabriel spoke to Zacharias in the temple.
God’s sovereignty and timing are evident as I read this account. Zacharias’ service in the temple was by lot and order, meaning each priest was scheduled to serve in the temple for one week of his lifetime. Three priests serve together—one clearing away the old ashes—one bringing the hot coals from the sacrificial fire—and one to offer the incense onto the hot coals as he prayed for repentance.
Zacharias was the priest who prayed as smoke of the incense rose to the heavens. It was amidst the smoke that Gabriel broke the silence. He announced that Zacharias’ prayer for a child has been heard. He and his barren wife Elizabeth would have a son named John and he would be filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb.
This is John the Baptist who would prepare the way for the Messiah just thirty years in the future.
Because of Zacharias’ unbelief, the angel tells him he will be silent until John is born. I wonder if this mirrored an extension of the prophetic silence to Zacharias?
The people who gathered to pray began to wonder what was taking Zacharias so long in the temple? When he emerged, only cryptic signs were expressed. What happened? A vision, so mysterious that it took away his ability to hear and speak. His priestly blessing over the people would be impossible.
Despite Zacharias’ unbelief, God brings about the conception of the promised son. This miracle sets the stage for our Christmas story.
Ponder Time:
Imagine what nine months of silence was like for Zacharias. What would he have missed?
As a priest, what thoughts might he have about all that transpired in the temple?
As a priest, do you think the Angel expected a different response from Zacharias?
As you ponder this portion of the story, I would love to hear what you glean. There is so much here. Too much for a short blog post. Add your thoughts in the comments.
Pondering with you,
Jeanne
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I cannot imagine going 10 months without speaking. I bet he heard many great conversations he might otherwise have missed.
He would hear Mary come to the door, fellowship with his wife and he would also hear the screams of birth pains. He could not comfort his wife with words. Thank you for reminding me to stop and poner.
Thanks for your insight, Cherrilynn. His silence would have been deafening, I am sure. Wow!
I’m intrigued with the idea of Zacharias’s silence mirroring the 400 years of prophetic silence. Hmmm. Pondering that.
That struck me as I read, Terry. I’m not sure if mirroring is the right term–but did it dawn on him that and Angel of the Lord just spoke…and he can’t tell anyone about what God was about to do? Such a rich passage.
I’ve always wondered how Zacharia had the nerve to talk back to an angel! He stood there and questioned words from God Himself. And then I remember I do that all the time. I argue with God and question His will. Praise the Lord He hasn’t struck me speechless, although there are some who would welcome that. 🙂
It felt kind of weird to “approve” your message (I moderate comments) because I don’t want you to think I am in favor of you being speechless. I think you are right, Sherry…we don’t belief God lots of times–maybe even most of the time if we are honest. If God is speaking–and I believe He is–I want to listen. Thanks for your thoughts.
Years ago I spoke at a women’s brunch and spoke about Elizabeth and Mary the mother of Jesus. We covered many different topics that surrounded the story of the two of them being pregnant and giving birth. The story of Zacharias being unable to speak never really hit me until I read this article. The tongue can be used to lift up and tear down. It is a powerful tool in the mouth of the believer as well as the unbeliever. Unbelief or lack of faith never makes a demand on Heaven. It is faith that open the door to heaven making all things possible. Perhaps Zacharias was caused to be speechless not only for his unbelief but also at the point of being speechless, he could not utter any words that were contrary to the prophesy and the fulfillment thereof. Just a thought here.
Thanks for your insight, Karen. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to talk with Zacharias someday? This story is so rich.
I am sure if we were speechless, we would still find a way to communicate, but we would be more conservative of the amount of words we communicated. I have been speechless for sometime during a bout of laryngitis, and you learn ways to let people know what you want them to. The thrust of this story is not how much we speak as much as how we listen. Listening is what God wanted him to do, I think. We all have the problem of listening. If this would tie back to God’s silence for 400 years, it may be that he wants us to know he was listening all that time.
Thanks for your thoughts, Stella. I do think God has Zacharias’ attention 🙂 Sometimes it takes silence for us to realize we need to listen a bit more closely. Good comment!
When I read the scripture with it two things struck me.
1) Jesus leaped for joy, even before he was born. Showing us that we should be joyful.
2) The first thing Zacharias did when he could speak was praise God. No complaints at being mute, nothing but praise.
Thanks Jeanne.
Great observations, Anne. Thanks for sharing your insights.
Perhaps Zacharias not speaking gave more room for Mary and Elizabeth to speak and share with each other. I love that God gave them each lovely “sister” gifts in their experience of miracle births.
I am sure Mary and Elizabeth had some great girl time, Roberta. I will be writing about them soon :)Thanks for your comment. Zacharias’ silence was surely an anomaly 🙂
I agree with a previous reader that perhaps Gid prevented him from speaking words of death in stead of words of life. And God must have spoken to him and shared His plan with him during the 10 months, because he emerges from his mute spell repentant and praising.