Luke 1:1-25
1: Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, 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.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
Reflection
Luke provides a well-researched and historically accurate account of the events surrounding the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (Luke 1:1–5). He begins with the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, who have grown old without children even though they are righteous followers of God (v. 6). Their infertility is a source of great sadness for them and has even led to some form of disapproval from others in their community (v. 25).
Yet we learn that even in the midst of this seemingly endless trial for two godly people, God is working out a perfect plan of grace. He will use this couple’s barrenness and brokenness to show his miraculous power. Their son John will be a witness to the world that God’s final plan of salvation is now arriving in Jesus Christ. The story of this couple’s suffering and joy reminds us that in the pain of our own trials we are not able to grasp the good and perfect plans of our kind God (Rom. 8:18–28; 1 Cor. 2:9). We are called by this story to renew our trust in God’s will, even as we weep. Zechariah is a righteous and godly man (Luke 1:6), but he fails to believe God’s message delivered by the angel Gabriel (v. 18). This is perhaps because he is fed up with the years of trial, difficulty, and disappointment. Zechariah can only see the obstacles: he and Elizabeth are too old to have children (v. 7). The result is the Lord’s gracious but painful correction. God does not condemn Zechariah but disciplines him by making him mute for a season. Yet even in this, God is perfecting greater faith in Zechariah, who will soon speak again, this time as a prophet (vv. 67–79).
Galatians 5:7-15
7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Reflection
There appears to be a leader of these false teachers, and he will bear the penalty for his actions (Gal. 5:10). Paul is confident that the Galatians will return to gospel truth (v. 10) and the freedom that the gospel offers (v. 13).
The freedom brought about by the gospel is not a license to sin but an opportunity for love and service. As we are impacted by the grace we have received in Christ, we will find strength to turn from our self-oriented attitudes and behavior (v. 13). This service does not merit anything before God; it is the fruit of our faith in his grace.
Psalm 52:9
9 I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.
Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, we must sometimes wait for God through seasons of disappointment and sadness. Pray for those who are suffering and ask God to give them comfort and strength to endure as they wait for the Lord.