December 3, 2024

Luke 1:8-17  (HCSB)
8 When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. 16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.

Terri Noah
Several years ago, I was providing healthcare to a sick nun. During our conversation, she asked me if I knew the definition of the word coincidence. I knew the meaning of the word, but there was obviously a story here, so I said, “no what”? She informed me, “it is God’s way of remaining anonymous!” So often in our lives we attribute things to luck, either good or bad, without recognizing that God is orchestrating our steps. We see in verse 9, Zechariah was chosen by lot (luck) to enter the temple and burn incense. But it wasn’t luck or coincidence at all, it was God’s divine purpose for His ultimate glory through Jesus. When Zechariah encounters God’s angel (just like Mary will later), isn’t it interesting the angel’s first words are “Fear Not”? We are told over and over in the Bible to “Fear Not” (365 times, one for every day), but still change of any kind sparks fear of the unknown. But we do not need to fear because God promises us that we will never be alone. Zechariah receives a very clear plan and the blessing of the Holy Spirit on his son’s life. As a parent, there were many times I wish I had a plan this clearly laid out for me. Most of the time I muddled through with a little wisdom and a lot of God’s grace. However, I am not so sure that knowing the plan really made it easier for Zechariah and Elizabeth to execute, but emphasized the enormous responsibility to come.