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All people are called to believe
It is important for us to remember that major events do not occur without some kind of prior planning - good or bad. The divine plan does not unfold in a random nor haphazard fashion. However, God most often uses individuals who are not headline makers, but, simply, people who are yielded to his will. After 400 years of divine silence - as relating to the messages of prophets - the time had come for the introduction of the messiah - the anointed one - into the world. This promised one was not, simply, dropped onto the scene of action. God used humans to bring about this event. The Old Testament prophet, Malachi, had written of "Elijah the prophet" (Malachi 4:5) coming before the time of the introduction of the messiah. No, this did not mean that Elijah would be resurrected, but one would come in the "spirit and power of Elias." Luke 1:17. The family, that was divinely chosen to begin this act of the "divine drama," was of the Jewish tribe of Levi - the priestly tribe. The individual that was to receive the first indication of the beginnings of this scene was the man, Zacharias. Luke 1:5. We are given a short background report on this Godfearing couple. "Zacharias … and his wife … they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." Luke 1:5,6. This man and his wife were part of a small - but faithful - group of Jewish people who knew their life focus. Malachi 3:16,17. Luke, the writer of the gospel, gave us a bit of information regarding the difficulties that had faced this godly couple. "And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years." Luke 1:7. In that society, childlessness was seen as a disgrace. The setting of the unexpected divine visit was in the temple in Jerusalem. For centuries, the various parts of the religious ceremonies had been performed in this building. However, much of the action that was carried out - even in obedience to the Old Testament law - was a formality, with little or no meaning to those who were assigned these duties. The divinely-prescribed acts had been reduced to mere rituals. On this particular day, Zacharias had been assigned the task of incense. "According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord." Luke 1:9. During this part of the worship ritual, "the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense." Luke 1:10; Revelation 8:4. It is important for us to remember that the report given by Luke came from eyewitnesses. Luke 1:2. He did not depend upon hearsay, nor second hand accounts of the events that he reported. We can rest assured that he had interviewed Zacharias and others who were present at the temple on that particular day. In the scene that Luke described, "there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense." Luke 1:11. Even though Zacharias might have performed this duty on other occasions, he did not expect a visitor in the room - "when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him" - Luke 1:12. The heavenly visitor recognized - and addressed - this human reaction. "But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias…" Luke 1:13a. The assurance addressed two areas of concern - national and personal - in the life of this godly man. The first - "for thy prayer is heard" - (Luke 1:13b) related to the prayer of all godly Jewish people for the coming of the messiah. They had been taught the fact of the coming one as they had become acquainted with the contents of the law and the prophets. The second point of assurance related to his own family - "and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear a son, and thou shalt call his name John." Luke 1:13c. This fact would have been sufficient to cause great joy in the heart of this aged man. However, the angel gave him great assurance. "And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth." Luke 1:14. This man needed more information regarding this coming son. "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord…" Luke 1:15a. This fact was followed by direct instructions in the manner in which this child would be reared - "and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb." Luke 1:15b,c. Obviously, this priest was familiar with the Old Testament law and the writings of the prophets. The divine message continued with direct reference to the writing of the prophet, Malachi. "And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:16,17; see Malachi 4:5,6. The priest asked the messenger for assurance. "Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well stricken in years." Luke 1:18. We are told that the angel said, "I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings." Luke 1:19. The personal involvement of Zacharias was immediate. "And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season." Luke 1:20. The ritual of burning incense was not a lengthy process. However, "the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple." Luke 1:21. We are told that "when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless." Luke 1:22. When the time of his ministry in the temple was completed, Zacharias returned to his home. Luke 1:23. The plan of our eternal salvation had begun to unfold. The effect of these behind-the-scenes events reach our day. Have you allowed the divine son of God - Jesus Christ of Nazareth - to become your personal savior?
If not, please do so, today. John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9,10; Ephesians 2:8,9.
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