Zechariah - the Lord remembers
Speaker: Matt Hails
Notes
Luke 1:1 - 4. The account of Jesus' life, death and resurrection is a
carefully investigated record, based on multiple eye-witness accounts. There
is much historical evidence supporting the reliability of the books of
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Luke 1:5 - 20. Zechariah was a priest, during one of the two weeks per
year that his priestly division was on duty in the temple. He was chosen to
burn incense during the daily sacrifice - something that an individual priest
could expect to do just once in his life.
And then, suddenly, an angel appears, with a dramatic message. Luke's
gospel doesn't hang about - it is immediately miraculous!
Zechariah doubts the message. “Do you expect me to believe this?” (Luke
1:18, THE MESSAGE).
What is Gabriel's response? He didn't stand around debating with
Zechariah. The Bible makes no apologies, excuses or defensive arguments for
God. Genesis 1 starts “In the beginning, God ...”. It makes an immediate
demand for faith - from Zechariah, and from us.
Zechariah had impeccable credentials - priest, married to someone from a
priestly family, faithfully following God's commands. But God still demanded
faith. God is looking for right living and faithful service, but even more
important to him are faith and obedience.
The name Zechariah means “The Lord remembers” (or “The Lord has
remembered”). But seems Zechariah didn't believe it! The answer to prayer was
two-fold: (a) The baby would be John the Baptist, preparing the way for for
Messiah; (b) He would be a son for Zechariah and Elizabeth, who had been
unable to have children. Israel had waited a long time for the Messiah - it
had been 1000 years since King David. Similarly Zechariah and Elizabeth had
waited a long time for a son (v7). BUT ... Zechariah was a priest, on duty,
offering incense (symbolizing prayer!), representing the nation before God, in
a once-a-lifetime event. If God was ever going to answer and send an angel,
surely that was it!
What about us? Have you prayed for for God to move, for revival to come
to the UK, to Royston? Do you have specific prayer requests that you've been
bringing to God for many years? Have you thought - “Will he remember? Will he
answer?”. God remembers - even if it sometimes takes a long time, as we see it
- but he looks for faith. “Every word I've spoken to you will come true on
time - God's time.” (Luke 1:20 THE MESSAGE).
Zechariah was disciplined by God and was unable to speak for a time. God
had firmly decided what he would do, so just took Zechariah out of the picture
for a bit. But that's not the end of the story. In Luke 1:62 - 79 we see
Zechariah's voice restored, him prophesying, and back on track in God's plan.
God's favour lasts much longer than his discipline. Ps 30:5.
Application
Have you had a specific answer to prayer, after many years of prayer?
Zechariah was a priest, carefully living according to God's commandments.
What things do you think contributed to his lack of belief in Gabriel's
message?
Have you prayed for anything for a long time, either for yourself,
someone else, your village/town or our country? Have you ever started to doubt
that God may answer? What things can caused that doubt?
Pray in 2s for those long term specific prayers.
Spend some time praying for God to move in revival in the Royston area,
and in the UK.
Posted: 27 Jun 2010
