Luke 1:11-13 – “Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him,
standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And
when Zacharias saw him, he
was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said
to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife
Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”
In the first
chapter of Luke there is an angelic announcement. This announcement is about the birth of a
son. The child’s name would be John. The angel told Zacharias, the priest, his son
would be great in the sight of God. He
would bring joy, gladness, and many would rejoice at his birth.
The
angel Gabriel came to announce a miracle.
Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were up in age. Elizabeth was barren and most likely had given
up hope of having a child. Yet, God had other plans. This child would prepare
the way for the promised Messiah and turn many of the children of Israel to the
Lord their God.
The
Angel Gabriel’s name means, “Mighty man of God.” He is called the angel of God’s presence
(Luke 1:19). He was the angel who came
to help Daniel understand the visions he was receiving of the future (Daniel
8:16; 9:21). He also announced the promised Messiah (Luke 1:26). Gabriel is linked to divine announcements and
bringing forth revelations, and the interpretation of visions and dreams.
The
angel appeared to this righteous priest while he was carrying out his priestly
duties at the Altar of Incense.
Zecharias first reaction was fear.
Luke 1:12 says, “He was troubled, and fear fell upon him.” The angel
said to him, “Do not be afraid, for your prayer is heard.”
Let’s join the conversation between Gabriel
and Zacharias in Luke 1:18, “And Zacharias said to the angel, ‘How shall I know
this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.’” Like many of us Zacharias had his
doubts. God specializes in the
impossible. Gabriel answers, “You will
be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you
did not believe
my words which will be fulfilled in their
own time.”
When
Zacharias came out from the Temple into the Outer Court without the ability to speak,
the people believed he had perhaps seen a vision because he tried to
communicate with gestures. His life and the people of Israel would never be the
same again because of the angel’s announcement.
In
Luke 1:57 Elizabeth gave birth a son. They
named him John, which means “God is gracious, favor.” This angelic announcement started in the temple
and the news was carried throughout all the hill country of Judea (Luke
1:64-65).
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