Luke 1:64. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God.
It’s down to eight now my people….only eight days to Christmas! Hope the preparations and celebrations are coming along well, but we’re keeping Christ first place, remembering that His birth is the ONLY reason for this Christmas celebration, and paying the respect and admiration that He’s due. And since it seems that God has spared our lives so we can see another day on His glorious Planet Earth, (smile) then we should continue with the story of Zacharias as promised.
Now, yesterday we stopped where the angel told Zacharias about all the joy and gladness that John would bring and like Elijah, turn the people of Israel back to God. (Luke 1:14-17) And having heard all of that wonderful news, ‘Zacharias said unto the angel, whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken (advanced) in years.
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings (this good news). And, behold, thou shalt be dumb (mute), and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season (in their own time).’ (Luke 1:18-20)
Oh my people, you see what little or low faith can bring. If anyone was expected to believe Gabriel’s words, it would be the priest who was constantly dealing with faith and godly situations, not a young unmarried girl. But that’s how it happened, and thus Zacharias became dumb until his son, John the Baptist was born. Meanwhile the Bible tells us that as Zacharias was being made dumb in the temple… ‘And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried (delayed) so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had had a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.’ (Luke 1:21-22)
And I like how the scholars explain the situation. They say ‘Zacharias speechlessness serves to chasten him for his apparent skepticism. One may think it a harsh measure, but God who dispensed this judgement knew his heart. And the promise remained secure. Zacharias was merely prevented from easily spreading the news around.’ That shows us the contradiction with Mary’s situation. She believed, and was able to spread her news around, although her news was not something she desired many people to know about, since it would cause her great heartache and scandal.
The Bible continues: ‘And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration (service) were accomplished (completed), he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.’ (Luke 1:23-25) In other words, when Zacharias finished his time of service, he went back home and impregnated Elisabeth, (smile) much like the story of Abraham and Sarah, a hundred and ninety years old respectively when they conceived Isaac.
Now that last verse from Elisabeth is quite important for in Jewish culture a woman who could not bear children, like Hannah, the prophet Samuel’s mother, were looked upon with much scorn and disgrace. Thus Elisabeth was thanking the Lord for at last giving her freedom from the shame and scorn she had suffered in her earlier barren years. Sadly though, up to this day, some societies still look at barren women with scorn and disgrace. And for some reason, it’s always the fault of the woman, very seldom, if ever, of the man. But unfortunately that’s the way this male centred world goes.
However, moving on with our story, we finally come to John the Baptist’s birth. The Bible tells us: ‘Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins (relatives) heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.’ (Luke 1:57-58) As the old people would say; the ole hypocrites and them. They heaped so much scorn on her before when she was considered barren, but now that she has a child, they want to rejoice and celebrate with her. But I guess that’s the nature of the human animal.
Anyway, the story continues: ‘And it came to pass, that on the eight day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by that name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God.’ (Luke 1:59-64)
Ah friends, the Lord surely knows how to dramatize a scene to be the most effective. For after that, the Bible relates it thus: ‘And fear came on all that dwelt around about them: and all these sayings (things) were noised abroad (discussed) throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all they that heard them laid them up (kept them) in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.’ (Luke 1:65-66) Yes mih bredrin, the Lord does move in mysterious but very powerful and successful ways His purpose to accomplish.
Today we concentrate mostly on Jesus’ birth, but the birth of John the Baptist, His forerunner, also caused consternation in the camp. And the scholars explain the words ‘Fear came,’ by saying: ‘The working of God produced a unique sensation among a people where not even a prophet had spoken for centuries.’ But the Lord was able to wake them up though with birth of John the Baptist! (smile)
Now let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus! As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And yes, it will be an even more glorious future than we can ask or imagine, for those who endure to the end with Christ. It therefore behooves us to endure to the very end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!
…with Jesus…it’s all about faith…about sincerely believing…
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