Question
Your Prayer Has Been Heard
Luke 1:1-25
Key verse 13
But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John”
Read verses 1-4. What does the author Luke want to write about and who had handed down the account of which he writes? (1,2) Who is Luke writing these things for? (3) What is the purpose of Luke’s account? (4)
Read verses 5-17. Describe the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth. (5-7) What was Zechariah chosen to do? (8-10) Who appears and what effect does this have on Zechariah? (11,12) What is the angel’s message?(13-17) What do you think of God’s plans for Zechariah’s son?
Read verses 18-20. What does Zechariah say to the angel? (18) What happens after Zechariah doubts the angel’s message? (19-20)
Read verses 21-25. What was happening outside the temple? (21) What do the people realize when Zechariah is unable to speak to them? (22) What happens to Elizabeth after Zechariah returns home? (23-24) What praise does Elizabeth give to the Lord? (25) What do you think we can learn from the Lord and His faithfulness to answer the prayers of Zechariah and Elizabeth?
Manuscript
Message
Your prayer has been heard
Luke 1:1-25
Key Verse 1:13
13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
So far we have studied 1 and 2 Samuel. We learned two types of leadership from David and Saul. The key point of God’s teaching through 1 and 2 Samuel was the importance of ‘obedience’. Saul failed to be a good king because he disobeyed the Lord, but David became the man after God’s own heart and the best king because he obeyed the Lord. The Lord was so pleased with David that he gave him the promise that his descendant will be eternal king and his kingdom will never end.
Now we want to study the book of Luke in order to see the fulfillment of God’s promise to David. Jesus will be eternal king and his kingdom will never end. The main point of Luke’s gospel is how Jesus’ kingdom is expanding in the hearts of all kinds of people including the Gentiles. Luke is the only Gentile writer among gospel writes and he pays special attention to women and children. In our ministry we have many precious women coworkers and many children. So it is fitting for us to study the gospel of Luke.
Now in today’s passage we begin to see the fulfillment of God’s promise to send Jesus, the son of David. In doing so the Lord God used two old people, Zechariah and Elizabeth. They were priests. They were very old. Usually old people drive slowly and move slowly and they even talk slowly. Some of them could not hear clearly. They usually have a lot of sickness in their bodies here and there. So old people may not be attractive to us. Probably Zechariah and Elizabeth could have all of these elements. In addition they were very lonely without having a child. But before God they were so special. They were so precious that the Lord used them in his plan to send the promised Messiah Jesus.
So today we want to know why they are special people before God and how God used them in fulfilling his plan to send the Messiah.
My message have two parts. Part I. But they were childless (v.1-7) Part II. But the angel said to him (v.8-25)
Part I. But they were childless (v.1-7)
Let’s read verses 1-4.
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
These verses show how Luke wrote the book and the reason why he wrote it. First, he wrote the Luke’s gospel after carefully investing everything from the beginning. He did not want to add just another book but the really valuable one. “The things that have been fulfilled among us” in verse one refers to what Jesus’ life and ministry. Luke learned about Jesus probably from apostle Paul.
Second, Luke tells the reason why he wrote the book. He wrote it to help a person named Theophilus. It was to help him to have a certainly of things he had been taught. In order words, Luke wanted Theophilus to know what he learned about Jesus is true.
Theophilus is called the most excellent. So he could be a high ranking officer of Roman empire. Acts 1:1 says, “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach.” So there is possibility by the time Luke wrote the book of Acts, he was not in the position.
We don’t know who is Theophilus. The meaning of the name is “Lover of God”. So figuratively speaking he could represent all lovers of God or believers. Missionary Augustine probably named his son “Theo” from this name.
Now how does the story of Jesus start? Look at verses 5-7.
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 Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
The story starts with two people, Zecharia and Elizabeth, a husband and wife. Politically the king over Judea was Herod the great. He was an evil king. He ordered all the children under the age of 2 to be killed when he could not find baby Jesus in order to protect his position as a king.
But God was going to send the true king, a descendant of king David. In the time of Herod’s ruling, there was one priest who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah. God divided priestly division into 24 divisions so that they can serve him at the temple in turn. 24 divisions would serve two weeks a year in the temple in rotation.
God is the one who set up the temple system and priest system. The origin of the priest started from Aaron, Moses’ brother. In fact, only Aaron’s descendants could be priests. All the tribe of Levites are assistance of priests, and the Levites had age limit like 20 to 50 but priest did not have age limit. The first priest and the first high priest Aaron died at his old age.
Zechariah is a priest. In addition his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron which means she belongs to priest family. Only Aaron’s descendants could be priests and she was one of descendants of Aaron.
Verse 6 reads, “6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.” It reads, ‘Both of them were righteous before God.” So both the husband and the wife were righteous. In a family, sometimes a husband or wife can be more spiritual than the other. But in their case both of them were equally righteous in the sight of God. “To be righteous in the sight of God” is not an easy thing. Who can be righteous in the sight of God? To be righteous in the sight of God does not mean they were without sin because the bible tells us all have sinned. “To be righteous in the sight of God” means ‘they had faith in God’ and their faith was expressed their obedience to all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.
In the sight of God they were special because they obeyed all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. These days we may not value much about obeying all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. In our nations people even wanted to remove the plate of Ten Commandments in front of our court houses. We may think it is too much to obey God’s commands and Christ set us free from the law. But it is very important to obey all the Lord’s commands because Christ set us free from the law by obeying all the law. When Christ saved us by obeying all the law why should we regard obeying the law lightly? Christ freed us from the law in order to help us to obey the Lord’s commands from our hearts. Not only that but also there is also a very important reason why we need to obey all the Lord’s commands which is equivalent of words of God in the bible.
Once I overheard conversation of two people. One person says “I know the guy and he is so good and kind person and I could not believe he went to a jail. I could not believe such a good person went to jail.” But then other person says, “well, I 100% believe he is the good person. But it does not matter. Even the best person can go to jail if he is not disciplined. I fully believe he could be the most kind and gentle person. But he can be violent and go to jail if he is not disciplined.” I was shocked by the truth of the word of the second person. It is very true that the most gentle and kind person can become violent if he is not disciplined and can go to jail. How then can we discipline ourselves? We can discipline ourselves by obeying the word of God in the bible.
Once I talked to Mother Barry about how we can overcome our sinful desires. She told me that many of our problems come from bad habits. The word ‘bad habits’ means lack of discipline. If we do not discipline ourselves by obeying the words of God’s commands we can even go to jail. We may suffer from all kinds of evil desires and temptations. In our community I know at least two people who discipline themselves and eat daily bread without fail every day. We need discipline and the best discipline for us is to obey the words of God’s commands.
Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in the sight of God because their obedience of the Lord’s commands and decrees through their faith. They were special people before God and God used them because of their obedience to all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.
Look at verse 7. “But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.” Mysteriously they were childless. As Elizabeth later said in verse 25 not to have a child was disgrace for her. People thought that they must have committed some kind of hidden sins and therefore God did not bless them. So Zechariah and Elizabeth could suffer from condemnation and shame. Not to have a child was regarded as God’s reproach at that time.
Despite their devotion and obedience to God’s commands they had such a serious problem. Why didn’t God give them a child? In addition they were both very old, meaning there is no hope for them to have a child anymore. Their righteous life in the sight of God did not exempt them from the trouble of life. This is one of most agonizing troubles of believers. Despite all of their devotion they are not exempted from troubles of life. One of main source of these troubles can come from their children. In the book of 1 and 2 Samuel, we just saw Samuel had a trouble of his sons who were so wicked. We just saw how much troubles king David had to go through because of his own sons. Why did God allow such troubles to such righteous people? Was it his punishment? What do you think?
No, not punishment but blessings. Why? Why do I say such troubles are blessings? It is because they draw us nearer to God and they give us opportunity to trust God’s love more. Let’s be honest. Did we come to God and pray more when we did not have troubles or when we did have troubles. It is when we have troubles.
When we have troubles, we have opportunities. We can make decision to trust God. They provide chances for us to make a decision to believe in the love of God. Our decision shows what is inside of us. If we believe God for our own good it will be exposed and it will be time for us to grow in faith. God wants to see what we have in our hearts through troubles and God wants us to love him and trust him despite our troubles. Many times God even gives us troubles so that we may turn to him.
Hosea 5:15 reads, “Then I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face – in their misery they will earnestly seek me.” The Israelites only pretended to repent when they lived in their own hometown. Only when they became slaves of the Babylon Empire after they became exiles they earnestly sought God and truly repented. So God disciplined them and punished them so that they might return to him.
Indeed the absence of a child is God’s love for Zechariah and Elizabeth because they can show their true trust of the Lord through their trouble. They lived in disgrace. But they could demonstrated their love and trust to God more. They were so special before God because they obeyed all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly despite of disgrace that comes from not having a child.
Part II. But the angel said to him (v.8-25)
Look at verses 8-10.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
So 24 divisions of priests serve God’s temple twice a year. Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and Zechariah was chosen by lot to go into the temple of the Lord to burn incense. Inside of the temple, there was an altar of incense and priests should offer incense twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. This incense is symbol of prayer because it goes up to heaven.
HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+5:8&version=NIV" Revelation 5:8
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
So when the time of burning incense came all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. It was the time of prayer.
Look at verses 11-13.
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
The angel said to him, “Your prayer has been heard.” Zechariah might have thought that God did not hear his prayer because God did not answer his prayer. But the angel told him that his prayer has been heard all the time.
Prayer is another reason why Zechariah and Elizabeth were so special before God’s eyes. God could use them because they were praying people despite troubles in their lives.
I do not know whether Zechariah prayed for his child at that moment. But he must have prayed for a long time from the time of his youth until he becomes old. He must have prayed at least to the time when his wife could not bear a child. After his wife passed the age of child bearing he could have stopped praying believing that it is not God’s will for them to have a child.
The angel’s word ‘your prayer has been heard’ gives us a great motivation to pray. It is because it reveals one fundamental truth that God hears our prayers all the time.
When we pray, our prayer is heard, and God answers our prayers at his time in his own way.
When I had an installation service I was deeply moved by God who answers our prayers. Since I was so moved by God who answers our prayer I offered 3,000 1:1 bible studies with great thanks and the love of Christ within 10 years. I know God hears our prayers and it was recorded and it will be answered someday and people who will recognize the prayer topic and they will be amazed. They will truly experience what it means, ‘Your prayer has been heard and that is why it happened now.’
In the pioneering stage of our ministry, missionary Isaac Kim made a great effort to make prayer booklets such as all the names of California colleges and names of all colleges in America and names of all nations especially when we have Bible conferences. When he did I could not understand it fully. I thought, “why did he make such an effort to make such booklet when we do not carry or remember those names and prayer topics.” But now see what happens when I became a new director. I did the same thing. I ended up making prayer lists and pray with people in the morning. Now I understand missionary Isaac Kim. Why did he do it? Because he knows God hears our prayers and will answer them at his time. Whatever we have prayed so far, God heard all of our prayers and he will answer at this time in his own way.
For the last few years every Wednesday night at 8 pm about 4 people gathered and kept on praying. They maintained prayer meeting and worship even though no one participated other than these 4 people. I was curious at first and I was wondering how long they could do so. My question was ‘how long will they go?’ I thought so because even with all encouragement and support to have one meeting on a regular basis is not easy. But what about this prayer meeting among 4 people? So I watched them to know how long they would do. I thought they would do several months or at maximum one year. But several years have passed and they have been doing the same thing. So now I am convinced that they will do continually even though no one would participate in their prayer. I don’t know what they have prayed but I know one thing. All of their prayers have been heard, God will answer their prayer at God’s time in God’s way.
Although Zechariah’s prayer for his child was a personal and private prayer God honored it so much that he used it to fulfill his plan to send the Messiah Jesus. Look at verses 14-17.
14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Not only the birth of John the Baptist will be a joy and delight to Zecharia and Elizabeth but also he will be a joy to many people. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will be set apart for the Lord not drinking even a cup of wine. He will bring back many people to the Lord their God. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous when he goes on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah. In short, he will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
What the angel said here is directly related to the last two verse in the old testament. The last sentence of the old testaments is Malachi 4:5-6 5“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORDcomes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
There was 400 or 500 years of silence between the last word in the old testaments and the new testaments. But when we see what is written in today’s passage we can see it is so fitting as if the book of Luke is right next book after the book of Malachi. God wanted to send someone who is in the spirit and power of Elijah and he was turned out to be John the Baptist. It is because the parents of John the Baptist was so special in the sight of God.
I am sure Zechariah did not pray that his son would be someone like John the Baptist. He must have prayed to get just one son. But why did God sent such a man of faith to Zechariah? It is because God fulfills his promise to send the Messiah and God used Zechariah and Elizabeth because they were so special because of their obedience to God’s commands and persistent prayer. God’s desire to save people in all nations is so strong that he even used personal prayer of Zechariah to fulfill his purpose. When we pray God can use even our personal prayers to fulfill his purpose.
Look at verses 18-20.
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
Zechariah could not believe the word of the angel. They were too old to have a baby.
The angel proved what he said was true word of God. He said his name is Gabriel and he stands in the presence of God which means what he said to Zechariah is the direct word of God. The angel did not hear it from somebody else but from God directly. Then the angel disciplined Zechariah by making him silent for 10 months because he did not believe his words which will come true at their appointed time.
All the word of God in the bible will be fulfilled. They will come true at their appointed time. Zechariah received silent training because he did not believe the word of God.
Look at verses 21-25.
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
God took away disgrace of Elizabeth at his time. He became the mother of one of the most blessed servants of God. According to Jesus, John was the greatest man ever born from women’s womb.
In conclusion, Zechariah and Elizabeth were so special to God and God used them to fulfill his purpose of sending the Messiah because they obeyed all the Lord’s commands and prayed persistently regardless of their critical problem in their lives. All of our prayer has been heard by God. God hears all of our prayers and he can use them to fulfill his purpose.
One word: Your prayer has been heard.
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Biblenote
Your Prayer Has Been Heard
Luke 1:1-25
Key verse 13
But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John”
Introduction)
Luke, a companion of apostle Paul, is consider to be the author in writing this book although his name is shown directly in the book. Luke’s gospel is known as the most comprehensive gospel among four synoptic gospels. He documents the thorough story of Jesus’ all the way from John the baptist to Jesus’ ascension. Luke is the most universal gospel. It’s also written for the Greek with the explanation of Jewish events. It elaborates humanity(compassionate heart and mercy) of our Lord Jesus Christ who helped women, children, and social outcasts. So it is perfectly matched with the deeply seated desire of the Greek looking for a perfect man such as Greek mythology. Jesus is our perfect man and a fully God. The Key Verse of Luke’ gospel would be chapter 9:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke’s gospel also uniquely emphasizing on preaching the gospel continually with the second volume, Acts. May the Lord help us to be filled with the Holy Spirit like him and prayerfully serve one on one ministry with world mission mind of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
1. Read verses 1-4. What does the author Luke want to write about and who had handed down the account of which he writes? (1, 2) Who is Luke writing these things for? (3) What is the purpose of Luke’s account? (4)
1-1, Read verses 1-4.
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
1-2, What does the author Luke want to write about and who had handed down the account of which he writes? (1, 2)
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
Luke is known as a Greek, a physician, and a historian. Also Luke was a companion of Paul
Acts 16:10-11 read,
10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis.
2 Timothy 4:11 reads,
11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
Philemon 1:24 reads,
24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
Colossians 4 :14 reads,
My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas.(You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.
Luke was not a Jew. He is a Gentile who participated in writing a part of New Testament.
What a great privilege for him to write the words of God!
The first four verses are originally written in one sentence in Greek.
They were written in refined, academic, or classical style. But then, for the rest of the gospel, Luke does not use such language of scholars but the common language so that people would understand Jesus.
Luke 24:44-47 read,
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
*Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us (Verse 1)
First of all Luke mentions that many have already undertaken to draw up an account of the things - It may refer the book of Mark or Matthew.
An account of the things that have been fulfilled among us - It is written based on facts and fulfillments rather than fictions.
* just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. (Verse 2)
Two resources about his writings were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
They may include apostles who were with Jesus, Mary(Jesus’ mother), other devoted women(Mary M.), 72 disciples (Luke 10:1) and so on.
Luke might have interviewed with those people.
1-3, Who is Luke writing these things for? (3)
3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning - it may be possible for him to be one of 72 disciples who were appointed by Jesus Christ.
I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus.
Theophilus might be a prominent Roman government official. It might be designed to defend his companion, apostle Paul for his trial before Caesar.
Theophilus - ‘One who loves God’
In broad meaning, Theophilus is anyone who loves to hear the gospel message with spiritual desire.
Such a dedication to the publisher was come at that time just as one dedicated the book to beloved wife or close friend.
1-4, What is the purpose of Luke’s account? (4)
4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Although they had chance to hear about Jesus Christ, Luke wants to help them have personal knowledge about him.
2. Read verses 5-17. Describe the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth. (5-7) What was Zechariah chosen to do? (8-10) Who appears and what effect does this have on Zechariah? (11,12) What is the angel’s message?(13-17) What do you think of God’s plans for Zechariah’s son?
2-1, Read verses 5-17.
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 Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
2-2, Describe the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth. (5-7)
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 Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
Luke came up with the time of Herod king of Judea.
This is the man known as Herod the Great, who was a descendant of Esau and Edomite or an Idumean. (he rules as a tetrarch from BC37 to AD4)
He was notorious for his paranoid cruelty as well as his building programs.
Luke focused on a couple.
Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous and obedient. They belonged to the priestly family.
They suffered from ‘no child problem.’
2-3, What was Zechariah chosen to do? (8-10)
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
According to the custom of the priesthood - Luke explains Jewish tradition for the Greek.
Only Priests from a particular lineage could serve in the temple.
Due to many priests, they had to use the lot to determine which priest would serve when. It might be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
**Exodus 30:7-8 read,
“Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. 8 He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come. 9 Do not offer on this altar any other incense or any burnt offering or grain offering, and do not pour a drink offering on it. 10 Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the Lord.”
It must be the most privileged duty to burn incense once a year.
Zechariah was chosen by lot for this job as a priest.
**According to Leviticus 16(about what the day of atonement means),
The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the Lord. 2 The Lord said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die. For I will appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.
3 “This is how Aaron is to enter the Most Holy Place:He must first bring a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. 4 He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments;so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on. 5 From the Israelite community he is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.
6 “Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household.7 Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 8 He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the Lord and the other for the scapegoat. 9 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the Lord and sacrifice it for a sin offering. 10 But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat.
11 “Aaron shall bring the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household,and he is to slaughter the bull for his own sin offering. 12 He is to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the Lord and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense and take them behind the curtain. 13 He is to put the incense on the fire before the Lord, and the smoke of the incense will conceal the atonement cover above the tablets of the covenant law, so that he will not die. 14 He is to take some of the bull’s blood and with his finger sprinkle it on the front of the atonement cover; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the atonement cover.
15 “He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the bull’s blood: He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it. 16 In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the tent of meeting,which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness. 17 No one is to be in the tent of meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he comes out, having made atonement for himself, his household and the whole community of Israel.
18 “Then he shall come out to the altar that is before the Lord and make atonement for it. He shall take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood and put it on all the horns of the altar. 19 He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and to consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites.
20 “When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. 21 He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. 22 The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.
23 “Then Aaron is to go into the tent of meeting and take off the linen garments he put on before he entered the Most Holy Place, and he is to leave them there. 24 He shall bathe himself with water in the sanctuary area and put on his regular garments.Then he shall come out and sacrifice the burnt offering for himself and the burnt offering for the people, to make atonement for himself and for the people. 25 He shall also burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar.
26 “The man who releases the goat as a scapegoat must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water;afterward he may come into the camp. 27 The bull and the goat for the sin offerings, whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place to make atonement, must be taken outside the camp; their hides, flesh and intestines are to be burned up.28 The man who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may come into the camp.
29 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you— 30 because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. 31 It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance.32 The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments 33 and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, for the tent of meeting and the altar, and for the priests and all the members of the community.
34 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.” And it was done, as the Lord commanded Moses.
**Burn incense - prayers (Revelation 5:8)
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
What did Zacharias pray for?
He must have thought about it carefully beforehand based on Leviticus 16. He must have read it again and again until he even memorized it. He also knew what lists he had to pray. He must have prayed for the needs of the nation of Israel. He must have prayed for God to send the Messiah. He probably would have guilty in praying for his personal need like getting a son at such a holy moment!
2-4, Who appears and what effect does this have on Zechariah? (11,12)
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.
According to how Zechariah responded, it must be an unexpected thing for him.
He might have asked other fellow priests who had been there done this job before.
But it was the least and last thing that he could imagine and now he was startled and was even gripped with fear.
2-5, What is the angel’s message?(13-17)
13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
It is not likely that Zechariah prayed for a son when he was at the golden altar of incense.
Both he and his wife were very old and they might have given up on this prayer a long time ago after they prayed for a while.
It is quite interesting that God knows our agony and deepest need in person.
Although he prayed for the Israelites as a representative, God came up with the good news by sending his angel.
2-6, What do you think of God’s plans for Zechariah’s son?
“for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
**Numbers 6: (it reminds of Nazirite, John would be specially consecrated or dedicated even from the birth by God’s will in accordance with the prayer of his parents’ desires/prayers)
The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the Lord as a Nazirite, 3 they must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or other fermented drink. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. 4 As long as they remain under their Nazirite vow, they must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins.
5 “‘During the entire period of their Nazirite vow, no razor may be used on their head. They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the Lord is over; they must let their hair grow long.
6 “‘Throughout the period of their dedication to the Lord, the Nazirite must not go near a dead body.7 Even if their own father or mother or brother or sister dies, they must not make themselves ceremonially unclean on account of them, because the symbol of their dedication to God is on their head. 8 Throughout the period of their dedication, they are consecrated to the Lord.
9 “‘If someone dies suddenly in the Nazirite’s presence, thus defiling the hair that symbolizes their dedication, they must shave their head on the seventh day—the day of their cleansing. 10 Then on the eighth day they must bring two doves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 11 The priest is to offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for the Nazirite because they sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. That same day they are to consecrate their head again. 12 They must rededicate themselves to the Lord for the same period of dedication and must bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering. The previous days do not count, because they became defiled during their period of dedication.
13 “‘Now this is the law of the Nazirite when the period of their dedication is over. They are to be brought to the entrance to the tent of meeting.14 There they are to present their offerings to the Lord: a year-old male lamb without defect for a burnt offering, a year-old ewe lamb without defect for a sin offering, a ram without defect for a fellowship offering, 15 together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and a basket of bread made with the finest flour and without yeast—thick loaves with olive oil mixed in, and thin loaves brushed with olive oil.
16 “‘The priest is to present all these before the Lord and make the sin offering and the burnt offering.17 He is to present the basket of unleavened bread and is to sacrifice the ram as a fellowship offering to the Lord, together with its grain offering and drink offering.
18 “‘Then at the entrance to the tent of meeting, the Nazirite must shave off the hair that symbolizes their dedication. They are to take the hair and put it in the fire that is under the sacrifice of the fellowship offering.
19 “‘After the Nazirite has shaved off the hair that symbolizes their dedication, the priest is to place in their hands a boiled shoulder of the ram, and one thick loaf and one thin loaf from the basket, both made without yeast. 20 The priest shall then wave these before the Lord as a wave offering; they are holy and belong to the priest, together with the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.
21 “‘This is the law of the Nazirite who vows offerings to the Lord in accordance with their dedication, in addition to whatever else they can afford. They must fulfill the vows they have made, according to the law of the Nazirite.’”
The Priestly Blessing
22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ 27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
His ministry would be to turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
He would prepare the way of the Messiah by turning hearts to God before the Messiah came.
His ministry was compared to that of Elijah and his spirit. (1 Kings 18:20-40)
1 Kings 18:20-21,
“So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
Malachi 4: 5-6,
5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children,and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
Matthew 11:13-15
For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Matthew 17: 9-13,
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
In short, we do believe that God answers his prayer in the best way.
God’s work is to be done in and through a devoted person who is filled the Holy Spirit and turn the hearts of people to King of the kings, Jesus Christ.
God never ignored a couple’s obedient and righteous lives before God and sends a great person of mission to prepare people’s hearts and God’s work continues in and through him.
Praise the Lord who answers our prayer without fail according to his unfailing kindness throughout the generations.
That is why we continue to serve him and his will in our generation by faith.
3. Read verses 18-20. What does Zechariah say to the angel? (18) What happens after Zechariah doubts the angel’s message? (19-20)
3-1, Read verses 18-20.
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
3-2, What does Zechariah say to the angel? (18)
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
Zechariah should have faith. But he looked at the situation or his human condition first.
He concluded that it is nonsense. It is like the response of Sarah who laughed at what the Lord or angel had said.
3-3, What happens after Zechariah doubts the angel’s message? (19-20)
19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
I am Gebriel. “Gabriel” means “God is my strength.”
In the Bible Gabriel serves as a messenger of God for certain people. (Daniel 8, 9)
When the angel says, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news,” he solemnly speaks who he is before living God and how important his message is.
Why is this good news?
It is not only good news for Zechariah personally but also the good news for all mankinds due to the fact that his son would have a significant role in God’s plan of redemption.
And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
God’s will would be fulfilled according to his determined will.
Zechariah had to be silent for a while because of his unbelief about God’s words.
He should pay the price about his unbelieving remarks.
4. Read verses 21-25. What was happening outside the temple? (21) What do the people realize when Zechariah is unable to speak to them? (22) What happens to Elizabeth after Zechariah returns home? (23-24) What praise does Elizabeth give to the Lord? (25) What do you think we can learn from the Lord and His faithfulness to answer the prayers of Zechariah and Elizabeth?
4-1, Read verses 21-25.
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
4-2, What was happening outside the temple? (21)
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.
People might have thought that he was struck dead by God because of delay inside.
4-3, What do the people realize when Zechariah is unable to speak to them? (22)
22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
Usually when the priest came out of the holy place, he should bless the people with Numbers 6:24-26.
“‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ 27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
So they were wondering what had happened inside.
4-4, What happens to Elizabeth after Zechariah returns home? (23-24)
23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.
She must have secured personal prayer time and Bible reading for first and second trimesters.
4-5, What praise does Elizabeth give to the Lord? (25)
25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
She could have enjoyed her pregnancy so much that she could forget the Lord who had blessed her. But she never forgot it and confessed to anyone by saying,
“The Lord has done this for me. In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
4-6, What do you think we can learn from the Lord and His faithfulness to answer the prayers of Zechariah and Elizabeth?
God never fails to shows his kindness throughout the generations.
Praise the Lord who is faithful in all situations in fulfilling his will.
In Conclusion)
God answers an old couple’s prayer at His time. However Zechariah looked at the situation and uttered unbelieving words. May the Lord have mercy on each of us to say differently. May the Lord help us to not forget how God is working in and through our young children and Bible students for they will be servants of God impacting the history greatly. Amen.
One word: Your prayer has been heard!