Luke is a physician who became a Christian and traveled with Paul to share the gospel. About 27 years after Jesus left this earth to sit on His throne in heaven, Luke wrote this book. This is the longest book in the New Testament. Luke when on to write another book after this called Acts. The book of Malachi said the Messiah would come to the Temple before its destruction in 70 A.D. (Malachi 3:1) We are coming up on the final countdown to that time. So there is an entire group of religious people who are eagerly waiting and watching for the Messiah.

This book actually starts out with more backstory than Matthew and Mark (the two books that appear in the Bible before this one. (The books in the Bible are not in chronological order.)

We hear about John the Baptist, who was born six months before Jesus and ends up baptizing Jesus. But before we jump into all that, let’s dissect a few verses in this chapter.

Zechariah and Elizabeth

Verse 5 When it talks about the family line, there is significance to every family line. But for the sake of simplifying scripture, Aaron’s family line (Zechariah’s dad) is honorable. And so was David’s family line (as you’re about to see). A promise/covenant of priesthood blesses Aaron’s family line. David’s would be a promise of royalty – Kings. And though both family lines lose their inheritance along the way because of disobedience, God is going to bring his promise back around.

Verse 6 Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were religious, in their conversations and works, by their walk and what they listened to and obeyed. They walked in God’s commandments and worshipped Him. It’s not that they never came up short of what they were supposed to do, but it was their constant concern to change or correct it. They were not sinless, but they were blameless (they were quick to repentant and change). They lived honestly and were not trying to offend people.

Never Too Old

Verse 7 This verse says they were old, like too old to have children. Children are a heritage of the Lord. But not having any children wasn’t a punishment for something bad they did. It was the circumstance for them. We have to be careful about attributing bad/unfavorable things in our lives to punishment for something we did.

In the Bible, there are many well-respected people who were born to mothers who had long been childless, and this is one of them. But it made the birth of their children more remarkable and the blessing more valuable to their parents. When God keeps his people waiting a long time for mercy, he sometimes is pleased to make up for the loss because of their patience by doubling the worth of it when it comes.

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

Verse 8-10 Zechariah is burning the daily incense in the temple. Some believe this is actually on the sabbath day, the day of rest, the seventh day of the week. And while the incense burns, people are standing outside praying. The people believed that the incense carries these prayers to heaven to reach God.

Verse 12 Ever since man sinned, our minds could not bear the glory of God’s revelations through angels. Repeatedly in the Bible, man is afraid when they see an angel.

Verse 13 God looked back on Zechariah and Elizabeth’s prayers of the past. Prayers of faith go on file in heaven. This miracle birth of John will prepare people to receive the miracle virgin birth of Jesus. They are told to call their son John, which means gracious, or the Lord will be gracious.

Verse 14  People rejoice when a well-respected, religious couple like Zechariah and Elizabeth have a son (because they will raise him with morals and excellent education to be a blessing to all).

Verse 15 God will have John do His work on earth. Self-denial will mark his life. It is possible for infants to be filled with the Holy Spirit inside their mother’s womb. In Isaiah 44:3, God had promised to pour out his Spirit upon the ‘seed’ of believers, their children. He will help to turn many people to God and prepare them to receive Christ. John will go before Jesus (born 6 months before Jesus) and show them this King is not the king they see on earth. He won’t come in robes and riches. John will go before Jesus in the spirit and power of Elijah with boldness and great energy and enthusiasm, making people aware of their sin and preaching repentance (to confess their wrongdoing and turn from their sin). John will awaken hearts to sin and a desire to be right with God. In the Old Testament, in the book of Malachi, John is predicted to come. “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives.” Malachi‬ ‭4:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬ 

Verse 18  Zechariah is basically saying, how can we have a son when we’re so old? He’s telling this angel sent by God, “how can this happen when we’re so old?” And questions God on how He could make that possible. It’s okay to ask God questions. But if God says something to us, we shouldn’t reply, “how in the world is that going to happen, Lord? Let me lay out all the excuses for why that can’t happen.” He is God. If He says it. It will be done. And because Zechariah gave his excuse and questioned God, he could not share the good news with his wife until she gave birth. He got a revelation from God and he could not share that with anyone else until it came to pass. That was his consequence. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Word and the godly examples of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Despite my past, I want that to be my legacy too, that my conversations, my walk, my works, what I listened to and obeyed all pointed to you, Jesus. I want my children and grandchildren, my neighbors and friends to see that I am choosing to walk in Your commandments and worship You. The Bible says life will go well with me when I choose your path. Help my heart be concerned to change or correct my behavior with it’s not pleasing to You, Lord. Quicken my heart to repent and desire change. I want to live honestly, not trying to offend people.

Thank You for Your mercy, Lord, in granting me children, and even my children’s children. This is a heritage from you, God, and I’m so grateful for your blessing in my life. Thank you, Lord, for keeping a record of all my prayers and not letting one word go forgotten. I trust Your hand to deliver what is good for my life. God, I want to be bold and full of enthusiasm for Your Word. I want to live from a place of love and respect for my husband and awaken my kid’s hearts to sin in their lives, and stir up a desire in them to be right with You, not just me, God. Be gracious with my failing heart, Father. I don’t want to give excuses or ask questions when you deliver Your Word to me. Help me keep believing Your Word, and trusting in You, Jesus. You are God. If You say it, it will be done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.