Scripture:
Luke 1:5-23 (English Standard Version)
Birth of John the Baptist Foretold 5(A) In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah,[a](B) of(C) the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6And they were both(D) righteous before God, walking(E) blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7But they had no child, because(F) Elizabeth was barren, and(G) both were advanced in years.
8Now(H) while he was serving as priest before God when(I) his division was on duty, 9according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot(J) to enter(K) the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And the whole multitude of the people(L) were praying(M) outside at the hour of incense. 11And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of(N) the altar of incense. 12And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and(O) fear fell upon him. 13But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for(P) your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and(Q) you shall call his name John. 14And you will have joy and gladness, and many will(R) rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be(S) great before the Lord. And(T) he must not drink wine or strong(U) drink, and(V) he will be(W) filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17and(X) he will go before him(Y) in the spirit and power of Elijah,(Z) to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and(AA) the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,(AB) to make ready for the Lord a people prepared."
18And Zechariah said to the angel,(AC) "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." 19And the angel answered him, "I am(AD) Gabriel.(AE) I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20And behold,(AF) you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." 21And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in(AG) the temple. 22And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in(AH) the temple. And(AI) he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23And(AJ) when his time of(AK) service was ended, he went to his home.
Footnotes:
Luke 1:5 Greek Zacharias
Cross references:
Luke 1:5 : Matt 2:1
Luke 1:5 : 1 Chr 24:10
Luke 1:5 : Luke 1:8
Luke 1:6 : Luke 2:25
Luke 1:6 : Phil 2:15; 3:6; 1 Thess 2:10; 3:13; 5:23; Acts 23:1; 24:16
Luke 1:7 : Luke 1:36; Judg 13:2; 1 Sam 1:2
Luke 1:7 : Gen 18:11; Heb 11:11, 12
Luke 1:8 : 1 Chr 24:19; 2 Chr 8:14; 31:2; Luke 1:23
Luke 1:8 : Luke 1:5
Luke 1:9 : Exodus 30:7, 8; 1 Sam 2:28; 1 Chr 23:13; 2 Chr 29:11
Luke 1:9 : Luke 1:21, 22; Rev 11:2, 19; Heb 9:2, 3
Luke 1:10 : Psalm 141:2; Rev 5:8; 8:3, 4
Luke 1:10 : Lev 16:17
Luke 1:11 : Exodus 30:1-10; 40:26, 27
Luke 1:12 : Acts 19:17
Luke 1:13 : Acts 10:4, 31
Luke 1:13 : Luke 1:60, 63
Luke 1:14 : Luke 1:58
Luke 1:15 : Luke 7:28; Matt 11:11
Luke 1:15 : Luke 7:33; Num 6:3; Judg 13:4, 7, 14; Matt 11:18
Luke 1:15 : Acts 2:15, 17; Eph 5:18
Luke 1:15 : Luke 1:41, 67; Acts 2:4
Luke 1:15 : Isa 49:1, 5; Jer 1:5; Gal 1:15
Luke 1:17 : Luke 1:76; John 3:28
Luke 1:17 : Matt 11:14
Luke 1:17 : Mal 4:6
Luke 1:17 : Rom 10:21
Luke 1:17 : Luke 7:27; Mal 3:1; Matt 11:10; Mark 1:2
Luke 1:18 : Gen 15:8; Gen 17:17
Luke 1:19 : Luke 1:26; Dan 8:16; 9:21
Luke 1:19 : Rev 8:2; 1 Kgs 17:1; Job 1:6; Isa 63:9; Matt 18:10
Luke 1:20 : Ezek 3:26; 24:27
Luke 1:21 : Luke 1:9
Luke 1:22 : Luke 1:21
Luke 1:22 : Luke 1:62
Luke 1:23 : 2 Chr 23:8; Luke 1:8; 2 Kgs 11:5; 1 Chr 9:25
Luke 1:23 : Heb 10:11
Reflection:
Do you listen for God’s voice? Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Zechariah was a godly man who was tuned to God’s voice. He was born into a priestly family and it was his privilege to be chosen to enter the inner court of the temple to offer sacrifice to God. Luke records that the people wondered at Zechariah’s delay and were amazed that he was speechless when he withdrew from the inner sanctuary. They rightly perceived that he had a special encounter with God. God’s angelic messenger greeted Zechariah with a blessing beyond his expectations. “Your prayer is heard! You will have a son! And his mission will be great for all of Israel. ” Now that seemed like a lot for Zechariah to take in all at once. Could God really do a miracle for his barren wife, Elizabeth? The angel somewhat wisely put Zechariah in his place before God’s mighty action. He became speechless until the day the infant was dedicated to the Lord and given the name, John. When God draws us into his presence, he wants us to be still and quiet before him so we can listen to his voice as he speaks to our hearts and reveals his mind to us. Do you listen attentively to the Lord and do you ponder his word in your heart with trust and confidence?
In the annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist, the angel explains to Zechariah the role his son is to play in preparing the way for the Messiah. John will be great in the sight of God. He will live as a Nazarite (see Numbers 6) -- a person set apart for the Lord. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even within his mother's womb. And he shall be sent to the people of God, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers and children to God and one another, by turning the "disobedient to the wisdom of the just." The name John means "the Lord is gracious". When God acts to save us he graciously fills us with his Holy Spirit and makes our faith "alive" to his promises. Do you pray that "the hearts of parents and children may be turned to God and one another"?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord Jesus, you bring hope and restoration to your people. Restore and strengthen Christian family life today. Help me to love and serve my family. May your love rule in all my relationships and remove any barriers to peace and harmony.
No comments:
Post a Comment