Zechariah
Unbelievable Joy
Zechariah was one of about 20,000 priests who were hoping to be picked for service in the temple. Most of his days were behind him when he received the opportunity for this once-in-a-lifetime performance of these particular priestly duties.
So it was already a wonderful day of distinction and honor for Zechariah when God took it over the top and sent him an amazing answer to prayer, delivered by an angel.
Now while [Zechariah] was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
from Luke 1:9-15 ESV
Here is an angel promising Zechariah the joy of fatherhood, of having a son. But not only this personal joy of a lifelong desire fulfilled, it’s also a joy extended to many people who will rejoice because this baby will grow up to be someone great before the Lord and be filled with the Holy Spirit even while he’s growing in the womb. This incredible promise, I think, goes far beyond anything Zechariah and Elizabeth thought about as they prayed for a child.
It's practically unbelievable.
It’s no wonder Zechariah struggles to accept this news. Given his and Elizabeth’s age, he had probably resigned himself to grow old alone with his wife some time ago. Perhaps he had focused on children in his extended family, trying to be grateful for his role as Uncle, rather than Dad. He may still have ached for children and grandchildren, wondering why God had withheld those joys from him. Or were those dreams, now out of reach, not even in his thoughts anymore?
Whatever his perspective on the matter, he could not imagine anything different.
And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
Luke 1:18 ESV
Being a priest, Zechariah knew well the story of Abraham and Sarah, given a baby in their old age. He was familiar with the stories of Hannah and the Shunammite woman, who conceived children as a result of prayer.
Zechariah was no stranger to God’s power creating life in barren places.
But so often, it’s easier to believe for others, than for yourself. Easier to look back and believe what has already happened than to look forward and believe it will happen again. This was the case with Zechariah, even though an angel stood before him. Zechariah did not believe what he heard, and so was left mute until the angel’s words came true.
And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.
Luke 1:20 ESV
And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them …
And he kept making signs to them and remained mute.
Luke 1:22 ESV
Those first few days must have been especially frustrating. Did he resign himself, over time, to conveying only simple concepts? Back home, he could write to communicate a bit with his wife at least. (We know he told her the name of the baby.) But pen and paper were rarer in those days.
I imagine Zechariah spent many hours in his own head — thinking, studying scripture, meditating, praying, reflecting, and waiting.
Waiting, waiting, waiting.
Separated behind his wall of silence, Zechariah listened.
At home with Elizabeth, he listened. Day after day. Week after week.
Out in the community, he listened. Time after time.
As Mary and Elizabeth visited, he listened. For months on end.
And in those moments when he was alone with the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit, deep within his heart, he listened.
Listening. Listening. Listening.
Zechariah spent over nine months being silent. As Elizabeth’s stomach swelled with new life, what grew inside Zechariah during those long months of waiting?
What desires, aches and longings expanded within his heart?
What words did he wish he could say?
What insights did he gain by listening?
How was his faith enlarged as he watched Elizabeth and Mary brimming with joy over the Lord’s goodness and greatness?
When his voice is restored the first words from his mouth praise God. Shortly afterward he prophesies, being filled with the Holy Spirit, just as Elizabeth was months earlier.
And his father, Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, …”
Luke 1:67-69 ESV
His prophecy was an overflow of all that God had been showing him and growing in him during Elizabeth’s pregnancy. During those long months of waiting and listening in silence, something new came to life and developed within him as well.
Consider and Comment Below
What words from God have you been unable to believe?
Why do we have trouble trusting the Lord, even when we receive a clear and obvious sign?
Has any ability been eliminated from your life recently?
Have you had an experience like Zechariah, something growing in silent spaces and finally bursting forth?
Will you believe God can bring something new to life inside you?