Burden Lifting Day
Luke 1: 5-17
God’s Prophetic play is always on schedule
Some periods seem to witness a faster pace of fulfillment
Examples of seemingly slow times
Israel in Captivity 400 years
The 400 years of silence (between OT & NT)
Examples of swift fulfillment
The deliverance from Egypt
The Time of the birth of Christ
This present time
The Curtain Opens
Preparation for the birth of Christ
This preparation begins by the announcement of another birth – John
Zacharias & Elisabeth
Zacharias was a priest
Elisabeth of the line of Aaron
I. The Burden in their Lives (v. 7)
a. They had no child
i. Elisabeth was barren
ii. They were both now stricken in years
b. Only a few verses after we meet then, we’re aware of this
i. This must been paramount in their thoughts
ii. Others knew this was their problem
iii. Could not know them long without this being known
c. Good people…. But
d. Perhaps your burden eclipse all of your blessings
i. You have come with it today
ii. What is your burden?
1. Is it a wrong relationship with others?
2. Is it ill health? Money trouble? Home trouble?
3. Is there some besetting sin?
II. Burden-Lifting Day Arrived (vv. 8-11)
a. Today the answer to their prayers would come
b. Today the longing in each of them would be satisfied, the empty place filled
c. Some things to notice about that day
i. It was an ordinary day preceded by an ordinary yesterday
ii. They carried out their ordinary duties
iii. Zacharias went to the temple as usual
iv. It was a day of prayer
d. Burden-Lifting days in the Bible
i. Blind Bartimaeus outside Jericho (Mark 10:46-52)
ii. Crooked Zaccchaeus up the tree (Luke 19:1-10)
iii. The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42)
III. When Their Burden was Lifted, the Blessings were far Greater than they had expected (vv. 12-25 & 58-66)
a. They had hoped for a baby
i. One to whom they could show their love
ii. One in whom they could see themselves
iii. One who could keep their memory alive in the neighborhood
b. God gave them a chill still remembered … as they are
i. Multitudes would come to hear him preach
ii. Even wicked Herod was in his congregation
c. The forerunner of Christ
d. The angel’s announcement … the birth (vv. 19-25 & 58-66)
e. The prophecy of Zacharias (Luke 1:67-80)
What is your Burden?
Your area of defeat?
Your Need?
God will meet your Need Today
