The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold.

 (Luke 1:5-25)

 People, organizations, churches, or movements often seek to understand their origins. This may explain why, when I meet people, not just in my everyday life, but also within a Christian context the first standard question is, "Where are you from?" I understand that because knowing their background might tell us something about them, and where they are coming from. Admittedly, it's not always accurate, most people in the UK when they hear my accent assume, I am either ore Catholic than the pope himself, or more protestant than the knig of England. Neither is in fact true. For I just define myself as a Christian believer, a follower, a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

But I understand it’s akin to asking a business, "How long have you been in business, and how did you get started?" So, I suppose this principle applies to Christianity as well.

So, when and how did it start. I'm not talking about the Bible or Israel but the origin of Christianity itself. When did it all start? What was the initial spark that ignited it? In the book of Acts, the Apostle Peter describes the start of Christianity as happening with the baptism of Christ. Which indeed marks the beginning of Christ commenced His public ministry.

Yet, Mark's Gospel takes us back further, not to Christ's baptism but to John the Baptist's ministry. However, in Luke's Gospel, the beginning is located even earlier. It's not in the baptism of Christ, or the births of Jesus or John the Baptist. The starting point is an announcement to John the Baptist's parents.

When I speak of the beginning, I don't mean the church's inception, but a broader beginning, a moment in time. We need to view these early gospel accounts within their historical context. The Old Testament revelations ceased around 400 BC. So, what happened after there was spiritual silence for 400 years?

I want to delve into how it all started because understanding the beginning can teach us a valuable lesson. The answer is found in Luke Chapter 1, the proven true time that I believe it holds true in this case.

I'll be covering several verses tonight and we will do what we usually do, we will work through the passage, verse by verse, I'll read a few, discuss them, and walk through the narrative that. Today I'm using the text to pursue one simple, profound truth that I consider critical.

Let's begin in verse 5, In my bible todays passage is intitled, “he Birth of John the Baptist Foretold”.

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.

(Luke 1: 5) 

The first introduction is to this couple. Our focus here is on Zacharia and his wife Elizabeths. He was a priest, and it's his job to serve in the temple.

Let me give you some additional background here: David divided the priests into 24 divisions. Each division served in the temple twice a year. Zacharias is chosen for this service, and we're also introduced to his wife, Elizabeth. We'll learn more about her later, but for now, they are simply presented as a faithful couple.

Verse 6 tells us:

Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 

(Luke 1: 6)

This is a significant statement. Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness. There's righteousness by faith, but there's also righteousness under the law. Zacharias and Elizabeth kept all the Mosaic law, which included the origional commandments, along with various additional ordinances.

Simply put, they were faithful. They walked in the will of God, they were law-abiding members of God's family.

Verse 7 reveals a significant challenge: 

But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

(Luke 1: 7)

In Jewish culture, childlessness was a serious matter. It was even grounds for divorce, with some rabbis listing it among seven excommunicable offenses. Yet, despite this, they remained faithful.

They were seeking the Lord, not the approval or applause of others. Their faithfulness in following God's path is evident. They maintain their faithfulness in doing what God has called them to do.

So, first and foremost, Zacharias was faithful. He diligently followed God's guidance and fulfilled the ministry that God entrusted to him. This didn't mean he was free from challenges; he and his wife were childless, a significant concern. Yet, he continued to serve the Lord faithfully.

The second remarkable aspect of Zacharias's story, which will unfold through several verses, is that he was granted a unique and awe-inspiring privilege. Allow me to pick up the story in verse 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.

Luke 1: 8-9)

You may recall the construction of the Tabernacle, which served as the prototype for the temple. There was an outer court, a holy place, and, most notably, a holy of holies. In the holy place, an altar of incense was found. Priests would enter twice a day, once in the morning, and once during the evening sacrifice, to offer incense on the altar.

Now, consider this: there were around 20,000 priests. Being selected to enter the holy place to offer incense was a rare and exceptional privilege. It wasn't an everyday occurrence, and many never had the opportunity. The selection process involved casting lots. One priest would be chosen, while two others would accompany him into the holy place.

As the two accompanying priests left, the chosen one would be left alone for a time. Meanwhile, a multitude of people waited outside during the time of incense, anticipating the priest's return and his blessing. So, we're informed that Zacharias was chosen and given this extraordinary privilege of entering the holy place.

In verse 10, we learn that.

And when the time for the burning of incense came and all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.

(Luke 1: 10-12)

This was a significant moment. However, there was more to come. As Zacharias was in the holy place, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Upon seeing the angel, Zacharias was overwhelmed with fear and astonishment. 

This extraordinary privilege was further magnified by a visitation from an angel, a rare and remarkable occurrence. Over 1,500 years of biblical history, only a few individuals had the privilege of encountering an angel in such a manner.

I can think of examples like Abraham and Daniel, but this is a very rare and special privilege. So, obviously, it startled him. He was troubled and filled with fear. I mean, if you were alone in a place where you knew nobody else was coming, and an angel suddenly appeared, wouldn't you be afraid? I think I can identify with that.

 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.

(Luke 1: 13) 

Just think of the privileges he's experienced. He's in the holy place, had a visitation with an angel, and now he's being told that, despite his age and his wife's past childbearing years, they will have a son. That ought to have made him ecstatic. The angel assures him, "I heard your prayers, and you can trust this promise." Additionally, the angel tells Zacharias that he and Elizabeth will name their child John, which means "the Lord is gracious."

In verse 14, further things are promised,

 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 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. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 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.”

(Luke 1: 14-17)

.So, the angel's point is that when this baby is born, there will be immense joy.

He will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb." This child is destined to be special; he won't seek pleasure through drinking or substance use. His joy will come from his relationship with the Lord, and filled with the Holy Spirit from the very beginning.

The angel is also foretelling that this man will have a remarkable ministry, impacting the entire nation of Israel. He even quotes from the book of Malachi, emphasizing that he will fulfil the prophecy about someone like Elijah coming before the Lord to prepare the way. Can you imagine being a parent and receiving such news about your child's future impact?

Now, in verse 18, we see Zacharias's response to all of this:

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.”

(Luke 1: 18)

Zacharias is likely recalling the story of Sarah and Abraham, who had a son despite their old age. Knowing this story, he questions the angel, "How can I be sure of this?"

How does a man know if his wife is pregnant in those days other than maybe a bit of morning sickness there would be no way of knowing for months. So his question is reasonable, he's asking, "How am I going to know this?" In other words, he's struggling to believe what he's being told, despite all the incredible circumstances.

The angel, Gabriel, responds,

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.

(Luke 1: 19)

Gabriel emphasizes his authority and the divine source of this message. He tells Zacharias, "You're talking to Gabriel, and I just came from God's presence to deliver you some incredible news."

Now, pay close attention to what Zacharias's said in the previous verse: "My wife is well advanced in years, and when I look at my situation, I've concluded this is impossible." He's grappling with the apparent impossibility of the situation. However, the angel counters his doubt by saying, "I just came from God's presence, and I'm here to tell you that, despite your circumstances, this is possible. 

You look at your situation and may think it's impossible, but not even God can be limited by human circumstances. My wife is past childbearing age, but I'm going to have a child."

Zacharias isn't convinced yet. In verse 20, Gabriel declares.

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.”

(Luke 1: 20)

Gabriel underscores the consequences of Zacharias's disbelief. He will be rendered mute, unable to utter a word until the events unfold.

In the next few verses 21-23, we see the aftermath.

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 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. When his time of service was completed, he returned home.

(Luke 1: 21-23)

he people waiting outside the temple realize something extraordinary has occurred when Zacharias takes an unusually long time inside. When he finally emerges, he cannot speak. People understand that he has seen a vision in the temple but cannot explain it because he is mute. It also tells us, "As soon as his week in the temple was finished Zacharias returns home, in silence.

Final verses today.

After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

(Luke 1: 24-25)

Elizabeth recognizes that this pregnancy is a divine intervention, removing the curse of childlessness from her life.

All right, what I shared today is straightforward. I mentioned three key points. Can you recall them? 

Number one, Who Zacharias is. 

Number two, Zacharias had special privileges.

Number three, Zacharias did not believe the word of the Angel. 

God announced the beginning of something new, but the one who received the message didn't believe it. That's how it all began.

So, this all is here to set the stage for how Christianity starts. The New Testament opens with the tale of a faithful servant who enjoyed special privileges but failed to believe God's message. Consequently, he faced the consequences of his unbelief. I went through the story quickly because I want to have time to consider and discuss how it applies to us today.

First and foremost, God desires our belief. We are meant to read His word, trust what it says, and act accordingly. As Hebrews 11:6 says, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God”. Anyone who wants to be near to God must believe that He exists and then He rewards those who seek Him."

So, the point is straightforward: God wants us to have faith.

We have here, a servant of the Lord who was diligent in his service, but he didn't believe God's word. The important message here is that unbelief is not limited to skeptics. Even Christians, servants, and believers can struggle with unbelief. You can attend church faithfully and not believe God. You can read your Bible regularly and not believe God. You can be devoted to prayer and still struggle with unbelief. People who serve in various capacities can also fall into this trap.

The point is that unbelief can creep into the lives of even the most devout servants and believers. We must guard against this and believe in the promises and word of God.

My point is simple: here's a faithful servant who didn't believe God's message, and that's not a rare occurrence. Secondly, this man had special privileges unlike anyone I know from the Bible. Privileges that very few can match, and he still didn't believe.

By the way, we could spend quite a bit of time on this if we wanted to. In Romans chapter 10, the very concept I'm talking about is developed by Paul, showing that Israel had special privileges but still didn't believe God. You may excel in your service, but that doesn't guarantee you won't face failures, individually and collectivly.

I think that's what happens to some Christians who have been blessed that are successful , but they discover they too can get to the place where they don't believe.

God here was faithful, but he didn't believe God so there were consequences. 

The writer to the Hebrews goes on to say,  "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, but exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."

The Bible clearly talks, especially in 1 Corinthians 10 and Hebrews 3, about having awesome spiritual privileges and not believing God.

Aaron, for instance, didn't believe God; he struck the rock twice, and the consequence was that he wasn't allowed to enter the Promised Land.

David was a man after God's own heart, but he didn't believe God. He committed adultery and murder, and he lost his kingdom.

The children of Israel didn't believe God, which is the passage I just read, and they wandered in the wilderness for the rest of their lives. 

My point is that there are consequences for not believing God. So, what's the point for this time? Believe God.

Get the message, believe God. You've been faithful. Look where you today, we're all privileged; we all know that. But you can still not believe the Lord, and that's the point of this passage.

I read a story once that is an exceptional illustration of trust, and I just thought it was exceptional. A man wrote a book called "The Sabbatical Journeys," and in it, he talks about the special relationship that a flyer and the catcher on the trapeze have with each other. The flyer is the one that lets go, and the catcher is the one that catches. As the flyer swings high above the crowd on the trapeze, the moment comes when he must let go. He flies out into the air. His job is to remain as still as possible and wait for the strong hand of the catcher to pluck him out of the air.

One of those trapeze artists said, and I quote, "The flyer must never try to catch the catcher. The flyer must wait in absolute trust the catcher will catch him. So we to must wait and trust in Him.