A Father's Prophecy

December 15, 2024 Background Scripture: Luke 1:5 - 23, 57 - 80 Lesson Passage: Luke 1:67 - 80 Am I prepared to be promised a miracle? Am I truly open to being told that a miracle is imminent in my life? I think most of us are prepared to receive a miracle. But the promise of a miracle comes with anticipation that often we don't handle well. To minimize daily anxiety, most days I expect my life to unfold as it has for most of my life: just another day. I am grateful to God for each day He gives me. However, I asked those questions because of what happened to Zacharias in the narrative of the Background Scripture. I readily identify with his reaction to seeing the angel and his response to the angel's statement. Zacharias was fulfilling his assignment as he had been instructed to do it at the time he was scheduled to do it. Zacharias was not a young man, so clearly, he knew what he was doing. He was a priest, and it was now his turn to serve in the temple and burn incense. This was by no means a routine assignment, Any misstep could cause him his life for not being reverent in the place dedicated to the worship of God. Israel's history records what happened to some who did not follow the precise directions for approaching God's presence in the manner prescribed by God. Death ensued. When an angel suddenly appeared in the room with Zacharias, it was not a small matter. This could have been a death notice for this elderly man. The angel had to calm Zacharias' nerves down. Then the angel announced that God had heard Zacharias' prayer and sent the answer by him. Zacharias, as an old man, was about to witness the birth of his first child by his aging wife—who had never conceived and given birth! It is not recorded when Zacharias prayed this prayer. Zacharias' response makes it obvious that he did not pray that prayer recently; especially given his age and that of his wife. In fact, he had probably accepted that God's answer to that prayer was "no" a long time ago. His wife, who had never given birth, was now pass the years of childbearing. And now, Zacharias was being told that they were about to receive this miracle birth. It is natural that he would have questions concerning it. But it is never a good idea to doubt what God has said. Therefore, he was given an immediate sign to assure him that God would do exactly what He sent word saying He was going to do. Zacharias was made mute until after the baby was born and it was time to name him. The angel told Zacharias that the baby shall be called John. Zacharias certainly could not say that until after the birth. We don't know if he communicated this to his wife beforehand or if she received revelation of it from God. When the neighbors and friends came together for the circumcision and naming of the baby, they attempted to persuade her to name him after Zacharias. She told them the baby will be called John. As a mute and left out of the discussion, Zacharias had to settle the debate. He requested a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." With that, Zacharias' speech returned, and he prophesied concerning the Lord and John. The prophecy proclaimed John's ministry and its effect on the people. The family and neighbors were left in awe as to the nature of such a child because of what they saw happen to Zacharias. They knew this family was special to God, and Zacharias' prophecy confirmed just how special. Zacharias went from being mute for nine months to amazing after writing one simple sentence, "His name is John." Although he was not prepared for the promised miracle from God, he was now prepared for the unfolding of his son's life as a prophet of Godi And after regaining his ability to speak, Zacharias prophesied concerning his son, John. Robert C. Hudson November 29, 2024