Zechariah and Joseph
December 14, 2022
The Prince of Peace is often disruptive, even when we’ve been under His rule for years.
To transform a building or space, it must first be deconstructed. Demo day is the start of any remodel. Decluttering and organizing requires creating more disorder at first.
God’s transformation of us is similar. His work in our hearts is not always soothing and serene. It can be unanticipated and unsettling.
Zechariah & Joseph are both devout men. Scripture describes Joseph as “a just man” in Matthew 1:19, and Zechariah as “righteous before God” in Luke 1:6. These are men whose hearts are turned toward God and who seek to honor Him with their lives. When God comes to each of them with a new direction for their lives, they are a bit thrown.
“And there appeared to [Zechariah] 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 Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 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 1:11-13; 18-20 ESV
When the angel Gabriel shows up in the Holy of Holies and tells Zechariah that his prayers have been answered, Zechariah does not respond with “Woohoo! That’s great!” Instead, he questions and doubts the angel’s words. Because of his disbelief he loses his voice until his son John is born.
Apparently, Zechariah needed time to sit in silence. Those months of not speaking would have allowed Zechariah to listen to God, to others around him, and to settle into this new phase of life.
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. … When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,”
Matthew 1:18-20, 24 ESV
Joseph, upon learning of Mary’s pregnancy by the Holy Spirit, distances himself from this messy situation and decides to divorce her. Then God appears to him in a dream and Joseph switches course again.
For Zechariah, his son came “too late” in life. For Joseph, Mary’s pregnancy came “too early.” But, in reality, both men were right where God intended them to be. God graciously gave them time to adjust, further information when needed, and continued interaction along their journeys.
Consider:
How has God disrupted your life? The life of someone you love?
Remember:
When you see Joseph in a nativity scene, recall him and Zechariah, and remember even those who are devout need time to adapt and adjust when Jesus comes and disrupts our lives.
Share:
How has God graciously helped you (or others) adjust to His plans?