Note I used Jon Courson’s notes from e-sword’s Application Commentary on this passage plus the Preacher’s Commentary in Luke.
Title: Christmas Characters Zacharias
Theme: To show lessons learned from the life of Zacharias
Text: Luke 1:1-80
Zacharias:
Luk 1:1-20 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, (2) just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, (3) it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, (4) that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. (5) There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. (6) And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (7) But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. (8) So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, (9) according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. (10) And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. (11) Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. (12) And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. (13) But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. (14) "And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. (15) "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. (16) "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. (17) "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ’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." (18) And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." (19) And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. (20) "But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time."
Luke 1:57-64 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. (58) When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. (59) So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. (60) His mother answered and said, "No; he shall be called John." (61) But they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." (62) So they made signs to his father; what he would have him called. (63) And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled. (64) Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.
Background.
Luke’s intention of writing this Gospel was to give Theophilus an organized and authoritative account of what happened during Jesus life. Luke tells us that he has done an investigative report into what happened, no doubt he had interviewed many eye witnesses (as there were many, his book was written only 30 years after the death of Christ. There were people who were still alive. Also it is believed that there was a Q writing that represented the history of what happened. Probably authored by a disciple. Luke had access to this. He wanted to give him an accurate account.
I said all of that because when you read Luke you need to see it not only as a Gospel but an historical document. This also as we see in Acts “a history of the church”.
In Luke we see a lot of names and facts. Here as we see he begins with Zacharias.
Luke is writing the story behind the scenes. He often gives us more details because he is trying to share everything. He is trying to let us see that there is “more to the story”.
Introduction
Here he introduces us to Zacharias the priest in the temple. The priests were expected to serve in the temple some time in their life. There were many priests and so they would draw lots. They could have served up to twice a year.
As the story goes here Zacharias was in the temple doing his normal duty. He was called to be a priest but also it was his lot to offer incense. This was the one who would bring the incense into the Holy Place.
When he took too long the people were worried they didn’t know what had happened to him. Then he meets an angel who later reveals himself as Gabriel. He was there to let Zacharias know that his prayers had been answered about his barren wife.
Zacharias is shocked by the whole visitation. The angel tells him that the Lord was going to give him and Elizabeth a child. The shocked turns into unbelief and Zacharias begins to question. This was not just a question of inquiry but one of doubt and even looking for assign “how shall this be”. So the angel says there will be a sign and the sign is mute and deafness until the baby is born.
This sets the scene for the 9 months and finally God’s release of his mouth and ears after his acting of faith in naming John.
So what are some lessons that we learned from this Character of Christmas Zacharias.
Lessons learned from Zacharias
I. God hears our prayers and in the right time he will answer them
Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.—Revelation 8:3
I suggest to you the meaning of the passages before us is very practical for you and me—for if indeed prayers are being stored in heaven, it could be that your bowl of prayers concerning any given person, need, or situation is almost full and ready to be released on your behalf. I don’t know how many prayers it takes to fill a bowl. Sometimes, but not usually, I pray once, and things happen. More often, however, it takes a continual asking, seeking, and knocking (Matthew 7:7).
Could it be that some of us are just about ready to give up praying for that situation or need, desire or person? Could it be that the Father is saying, "Don’t give up now—just a couple more prayers will tip the bowl. Just a couple more prayers will release the blessing"? When we get to heaven, I wonder if we’ll see all sorts of bowls poised to be poured had we not given up, had we not stopped seeking, had we not quit praying.
"John" means "God is Gracious." - Courson
So God does hear our prayer and may even delay their fulfillment if necessary. God did hear the prayer of Zacharias and it wasn’t as much as Zacharias and Elizabeth not ready for the answer but it was timing.
II. God is working behind the scenes
We learn from Zacharias that God is working behind the scenes even when we don’t know it.
(Gal 4:4) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Later on we will be looking at Mary and Joseph. The most awesome thing is that the Lord sent and angel to Mary to share the good news but later he would send one to Joseph. This is God making preparation for His son to come. This is God setting out a plan.
Even in troubles, even when the devil works. God is not out of the loop or out of control. When you look at scripture you realize that the Lord even uses the work of the devil to turn out good.
Romans 8:28 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.
In your situation God is in control.
III. God can work the impossible
Luke 1:18 And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
This was a question that Zacharias had for the angel. How can this be possible? They were up in age and they were barren.
This is different than what Mary says. Mary wants to know what the Lord was going to do to make this possible. Zacharias wanted a sign from the Lord.
Zaharias saw a barrier. He forgot about the God who could work in the impossible. The Bible is full of people who were barren and God created life in the womb: Sarah, Rebekah, Hannah, etc.
Our age can be a barrier, whatever age we are, and we can believe we are restricted because of it. Zacharias’s age was not a factor in his ability to carry out God’s purposes.
Our _________ be a barrier, whatever _________ we are, and we can believe we are restricted because of it. Zacharias’s __________ was not a factor in his ability to carry out God’s purposes.
IV. Can you be sure?
This is the question that Zacharias was asking. How can this be, how can I be sure? The Lord shut his mouth for 9 months until John the Baptist was born. This is the best thing for us to do is to keep our mouth shut after we ask the question so we can hear the Lord.
At a time when Zacharias should have been full of Joy he was full of doubt and unbelief.
He was also deaf. We need to quit listening to things
James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Zacharias had a large task ahead of him. He was called to raise up a child who would be the for runner to the Messiah. He needed to hear from the Lord. God needed to get his attention. Sometimes we need God to take away our speech and our hearing so that he can prepare us for bringing forth the blessing of the Lord.
Luk 1:13-17 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. (14) "And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. (15) "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. (16) "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. (17) "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ’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."
embraces with childlike simplicity the promises the Father has given you in His Word, you will speak and rejoice.
Another thought
Zacharias had lost his way to speak the things of the Lord and to hear the voice of the Lord.
This is on the negative side. But when we lose our voice to speak the promises of God and we focus on the impossibilities then we easily fall into doubt. We forget the voice of God. Eli the priest before Samuel had fallen into the same trap.
1 Samuel 3:1 Then the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.
Courson - Luk 1:19-20
"I believe, therefore I have spoken," declared Paul (see 2Co_4:13). Zacharias didn’t believe. Therefore, he will not be able to speak. If you allow the thief of unbelief to rob you of joy, you’ll neither witness to others nor praise the Father. Your lips will be sealed if your heart is cynical. But if you are one who
Courson- Notes: Luke 1:61-62
This means not only was Zacharias unable to speak, but that he was also unable to hear. So, too, if I don’t believe, I won’t speak. And if I don’t speak, I will no longer be able to hear the voice of my Father. It’s when I’m speaking, sharing, and ministering that I am in the position to hear my Father more clearly. If you’ve ever thought you don’t want to hear another Bible study, read another chapter, look at another commentary, I suggest it is indicative that you’re not sharing with others—because when you’re giving out, you’ll be hungry to take more in.
Conclusion
Luk 1:59-67 So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. (60) His mother answered and said, "No; he shall be called John." (61) But they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." (62) So they made signs to his father; what he would have him called. (63) And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled. (64) Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.
Courson: In naming his son John, Zacharias goes on record that he embraces what God said and what God did. I see in Zacharias a preview of what will come in Acts 2, when on the Day of Pentecost, the tongues of the disciples were also loosed to praise God in languages they did not know. People often say, "If God wants me to speak in tongues, He can move my tongue or make it happen." But Zacharias’ tongue being loosed was predicated on the decision he had already made to believe God. Paul echoed this when he said, "I will pray in the Spirit and with understanding also" (see 1Co_14:15). In other words, it was a choice he made.
(65) Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. (66) And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, "What kind of child will this be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him. (67) Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
This is the final result of what happened. God used Zacharias to raise up a child and it took Zacharias a while to understand it, God was wanting to birth something in Zacharias. He was wanting to do something great. Too many times it is our doubt and interference that keep God from moving.
What is it that has caused you to forget that God is working behind the scenes?
What is it that has made you forget that God can work the impossible?
Are you letting God get your attention by speaking on thing of him?
