The Gospel Series Part Two

John's birth foretold to Zacharias (Lk 1:5-25)

Lk 1:5 Serving in the Temple were 24 separate divisions of priests, who served twice each year.

Lk 1:6-7 A lack of children was seen as a withholding of God's blessing, or an assumption of sin in a person's life. Since they had no children, the people at that time would assume something was wrong with them, but Luke tells us they were "righteous before God".

Lk 1:8-9 Burning incense in the Temple was a high honor for a priest, and could only be done once in a lifetime. This was a moment Zacharias waited for his whole life.

Lk 1:10 The people would wait outside while the priest performed his duties inside the temple, who would probably wonder why he took so long.

Lk 1:11-12 Zacharias responds to the Gabriel's sudden appearance with fear or amazement, which is a common reaction throughout the Bible. But remember, at this point God has been silent for over 400 years, so a sudden appearance of an angel was not expected by anyone living at that time, since it hadn't occurred in any recent memory and all the prophets were gone.

Lk 1:13-16 Zacharias prayer was for children. But perhaps since both he and Elizabeth were old, he may have assumed God didn't hear his prayer. But we can always be assured God hears our prayers, but sometimes the answer is delayed (Daniel 10), or the answer is no (2 Cor 12). No matter what, our prayers are heard. See also Rom 8:26, I John 5:14-15

Lk 1:17 According to Malachi, Elijah was expected to appear before the Messiah.

Lk 1:18 Zacharias didn't understand how this was possible, for he looked to man's reasoning. However, God is not constrained to our resources. (Jer 32:27). Instead of believing in God's word, he asks for a sign.

Lk 1:19-20 He got his sign!

Lk 1:21-22 The people were understandably curious why he took so long in the Temple.

Lk 1:23-25 Elizabeth was happy to have a child, as it was seen to be a sign of God's blessing.

Jesus' birth foretold to Mary (Lk 1:26-38)

A similar visit happens to Mary, but as we shall see, while there are similarities, it will turn out to be the differences are what is important to us, as well as giving us a valuable lesson about service for God.

Lk 1:26-27 "betrothed" - What we might consider engaged, but was much more binding. Actually, in the event it was decided not to be married, a divorce was necessary to separate them.

"sixth month" - of Elizabeth's pregnancy.

Lk 1:28 The goal of all Jewish women at that time was to bear the promised Messiah.

Lk 1:29 Mary responds to Gabriel's appearance similarly to Zacharias

Lk 1:30-33 Gabriel announces God's plan for Mary.

Lk 1:34 Mary questions how this is possible

Lk 1:35-37 Gabriel answers her question

Lk 1:38 Mary's acceptance of his message.

Mary's visit to Elizabeth (Lk 1:39-45)

Mary's song of joy (Lk 1:46-56)

John's Birth (Lk 1:57-66)

Lk 1:60-61 Common custom was to name a child after a relative. The people were puzzled why a name would be chosen not among their relatives.

Zacharias' prophetic song (Lk 1:67-79)

John's growth and early life (Lk 1:80)

Lesson: Mary or Zacharias?

Why would the Holy Spirit include this background for us? If it's in the Bible, it's there by design and intention. In other words, we should learn a lesson from it. The lesson is gleaned from the differences between Zacharias and Mary's different ways they responded to the heavenly message.

Both Zacharias and Mary were initially startled by the visitor, and both did not understand how such things would occur. But Zacharias (Lk 1:18) was questioning the validity of the message ("How shall I know this"). He didn't believe the events told to him were possible to occur. Mary, however, questions the method of the events ("How can this be" Lk 1:34), without doubting the truth of the message. Thus the first lesson here is:

Don't worry about how God can do something, he has resources we can't even think of.

He is capable of anything. As we get into problems, it's easy to think if we can't solve the problem, how can God? Even though it sounds ridiculous, limiting God's power is an easy trap to fall in to. However, God's Word speaks of his unusual ways, and He may allow circumstances to occur in our life just so we rely on him more, and less on our own abilities. (Jer 32:27, Is. 55:8-9, Prov 3:5, Phil 4:13)

However, there is another important lesson here. Note in verse 38 Mary's willingness to be a servant of God under harsh circumstances. We (sadly) lose the impact of a 15 year old having a child without being married, since today it is a common occurrence. But then, to have a child outside of marriage was a much bigger problem; adultery being a capital crime. (John 8:3-5). Mary was literally risking her life. This is the second lesson here:

Service for God is tough.

What is not so clear from this text is Mary lived for 30 more years before anyone knew she was telling the truth. By John 2:11 we know Jesus did no miraculous signs as a child. Imagine trying to convince everyone "honest, this child really is the promised Messiah", with no evidence available to verify your story. And she had no idea the length of time it would take to verify her story. But she was a willing servant of God, even though she had no idea what would take place in the following years. She understood service for God could be tough.

Many people think of the Christian life as a playground, where we have no problems and everything is rosy. But that is a lie of the enemy, nothing is farther from the truth. Some promises you won't find in those little promise books are:

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

"If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)

"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. (John 17:14-15)

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)

The Christian life is not a playground, rather it is a battleground. Any time you follow after Jesus, be prepared for criticism, hardship and hatred. And of course, satan and his associates will be stalking you as well. The only protection we have is the armor of God in Ephesians 6. If you haven't done a careful study of that chapter, you need to do it now! Remember, we are already in enemy territory, and the time to be prepared is before the battle; when you need it, it's too late.

But Mary reported for duty, not knowing what might happen, but trusting in God and his word, and he was able to sustain her.

Yes, it's easy to become discouraged when things get hard, sometimes we wonder why God would allow events to happen. But let's look at Paul, did he have an easy time? Of course not. But he was in the service of God, and also understood service for God is tough.

From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness; (2 Corinthians 11:24-27)

Sometimes Paul completely lost hope.

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. (2 Corinthians 1:8)

Sometimes Paul needed special encouragement to keep going.

Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; "for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city." (Acts 18:9-10)

Yet Paul maintained a heavenly perspective.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:8)

And finally, in perhaps the masterpiece of Paul's writings (Romans), he left this encouragement for us:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Romans 8:35)

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Service for God is tough.

It's an important lesson for us to learn.

Will we be a Zacharias (doubting and unbelief) or Mary (reporting for duty)?

The choice is ours.

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