A Narrative on Luke 1:5-25 (AMP) "The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold" “The Power of Faith in Words Demonstrated”
“You will pray to Him, and He will hear you…”
Introduction
Luke 1:5-25 narrates the remarkable account of God’s response to the prayers of Zacharias and Elizabeth, a couple who had longed for a child for many years. Though advanced in age and well beyond the typical years of childbearing, God remembered their prayers from their youth. This passage highlights God's faithfulness in answering prayers, even when it seems that too much time has passed for the request to be fulfilled. It also emphasizes the importance of faith and the consequences of doubt, as shown through the temporary muting of Zacharias when he questioned the angel's message.
For today’s believers, this story is a reminder that God is always listening to our prayers, and His timing is perfect. What may seem like a delay to us is part of His divine plan. The account of Zacharias and Elizabeth encourages Christians to trust in God’s promises and to continue in faith, even when the outcome seems impossible by human standards. Additionally, the muting of Zacharias serves as a cautionary example of how our words can impact our faith and the faith of those around us.
Now Let’s Eat Some Meat!
Luke 1:5-25 (AMP): "In the days of Herod [the Great], king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They both were righteous (approved) in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years. Now it happened while Zacharias was serving as priest before God in the appointed order of his priestly division, as was the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And all the congregation was praying outside [in the court of the temple] at the hour of the incense offering. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zacharias saw the angel, he was troubled and overcome with fear. But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have great joy and delight, and many will rejoice over his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or liquor, and he will be filled with and empowered to act by the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the sons of Israel back [from sin] to [love and serve] the Lord their God. It is he who will go [as a forerunner] before Him [in the spirit and power of Elijah], to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.' And Zacharias said to the angel, 'How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in age.' The angel replied and said to him, 'I am Gabriel. I stand and minister in the very presence of God, and I have been sent by Him to speak to you and to bring you this good news. Listen carefully: you will be continually silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe what I told you; but my words will be fulfilled at their proper time.' The people [outside in the court] were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering about his long delay in the temple. But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the temple, and he kept making signs to them and remained mute. When his time of priestly service was finished, he returned to his home. Now after this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she secluded herself, saying, 'This is how the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor on me, to take away my disgrace among men.'"
Context of Luke 1:5-25
This passage opens the Gospel of Luke with the announcement of the miraculous birth of John the Baptist. Zacharias, a priest, and his wife Elizabeth are described as righteous, yet they had lived with the sorrow of being childless, a situation that was seen as a mark of reproach in their culture. Despite their prayers from their younger years, they remained without a child, and as they aged, the possibility of bearing children seemed hopeless.
At this moment, God chooses to answer their long-forgotten prayer. While Zacharias is performing his priestly duties in the temple, the angel Gabriel appears to him with a message: Elizabeth would conceive and bear a son, who would be named John. John would grow to become the forerunner of the Messiah, preparing the hearts of the people for Jesus Christ. However, Zacharias struggles to believe the angel’s words due to his and Elizabeth’s advanced age, leading to his temporary muteness until the promise is fulfilled.
Detailed Exploration of Luke 1:5-25
God Remembered the Prayers of Zacharias and Elizabeth
Key Phrase: "Your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son."
One of the most touching aspects of this story is that God remembered the prayers of Zacharias and Elizabeth. The angel Gabriel tells Zacharias that his prayer had been heard—this was a prayer that he and Elizabeth had likely prayed many years earlier in their youth, asking God for a child. By this time, it seems they had stopped praying for this because their mortal circumstances made it seem impossible. And as they say in many a church…”But God”!
However, this passage shows that God does not forget the prayers of His people. Even when it seems like years have passed without an answer, God’s timing is perfect. In His sovereignty, God chose to answer their prayer at a time that would also fulfill a greater purpose—the birth of the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah. This teaches believers that their prayers, even those that seem unanswered for a long time, are heard by God and are never forgotten.
Psalm 37:4 (AMP): "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart."
This verse in Psalms reminds us that when we commit our desires to the Lord, He responds in His perfect timing. Like Zacharias and Elizabeth, we must trust that God hears our prayers and will answer them according to His plan.
Relevance to Today’s Believers: For today’s believers, this part of the story is a reminder that God hears every prayer, even when the answer is delayed. Christians are encouraged not to lose heart when it seems like God is silent or slow in responding. His timing is often different from our expectations, but He is always faithful to respond at the right time. This teaches patience and trust in God’s perfect plan.
Zacharias’ Doubt and God’s Response
Key Phrase: "How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in age."
Zacharias, despite his righteous life and faithful service, expresses doubt when the angel delivers the message. His response—"How will I be certain of this?"—reveals his human struggle to believe in the supernatural when the natural circumstances seem impossible. Zacharias’s doubt is met with a direct response from Gabriel, who informs him that because he did not believe the message, he would be mute until the promise was fulfilled. Just imagine, he was asking God’s messenger "How will I be certain of this?” You can feel the indignation in Gabriel's response. “I am Gabriel. I stand and minister in the very presence of God, and I have been sent by Him to speak to you and to bring YOU this good news.”
This muting of Zacharias serves as both a consequence and a protection. His doubt could have led him to speak negatively about the promise, which could have influenced Elizabeth’s faith or others around him. By muting him, God prevented him from speaking words of doubt that could have undermined the work that God was doing in his life and in the life of his family. This action by God shows the power of words and how they can and will impact faith.
Proverbs 18:21 (AMP): "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words."
This verse from Proverbs reinforces the idea that words have power, and careless speech, especially when it comes to matters of faith, can have significant consequences.
Relevance to Today’s Believers: For modern believers, Zacharias’s experience serves as a reminder to guard their words, especially in moments of doubt. It encourages Christians to speak words of faith rather than doubt, trusting in God’s promises even when circumstances seem impossible. Additionally, it shows God’s grace in allowing time for Zacharias to reflect silently on the promise rather than continuing to doubt aloud.
The Promise of John the Baptist
Key Phrase: "He will be great in the sight of the Lord."
The angel not only promises the birth of a son but also foretells John the Baptist’s future role in preparing the way for the Lord. John would be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb and would be set apart for a special purpose. He would go before the Messiah in the spirit and power of Elijah, turning the hearts of many back to God.
This promise highlights the significance of John’s life and ministry. Even before his birth, God had a plan for John to play a key role in the coming of the Messiah. His life would bring joy to his parents and many others, and his ministry would help prepare the hearts of the people for Jesus.
Jeremiah 1:5 (AMP): "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
This verse from Jeremiah reflects the same idea that God has a plan for each person even before they are born, just as He did for John the Baptist.
Relevance to Today’s Believers: For today’s Christians, the promise of John the Baptist’s birth is a reminder that God has a purpose and a plan for every life. Believers are called to trust that God’s plan for their lives is good and that He is at work even in the smallest details. It also highlights the importance of preparing the way for Christ in the hearts of others, just as John did.
Summary
Luke 1:5-25 is a powerful narrative that demonstrates God’s faithfulness in answering long-forgotten prayers and His sovereignty in fulfilling His promises. Zacharias and Elizabeth, though righteous and faithful, had given up hope of having a child due to their advanced age. However, God remembered their prayers from their youth and chose to bless them with a son at a time that would fulfill a greater purpose in His redemptive plan.
The story also highlights the importance of faith. Zacharias’s doubt, expressed in his question to the angel, resulted in his temporary muteness—a consequence that served to protect the promise and prevent him from speaking words of doubt. This teaches believers to guard their words and to trust in God’s promises, even when the circumstances seem impossible.
Additionally, the announcement of John the Baptist’s birth reveals the significant role he would play in preparing the way for Jesus, the Messiah. God’s plan for John’s life was established before his birth, reminding believers that God has a purpose for each life.
For today’s Christians, this passage is a reminder that God hears and remembers every prayer, even those that seem to have gone unanswered for years. It encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, to guard their words, and to trust in God’s perfect timing. This narrative also inspires believers to recognize their own role in God’s plan and to live with the confidence that He is at work in every aspect of their lives.
In conclusion, Luke 1:5-25 teaches that God’s promises are sure, His timing is perfect, and He is faithful to fulfill His word. For modern believers, this passage is a call to trust in God’s faithfulness, to speak words of faith, and to remain steadfast in prayer, knowing that God remembers every petition and works all things for His glory.
If You Have Ears To Hear, Then Hear It!
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