YOUR BABY SHALL LEAP AGAIN
LUKE 1:5-44 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. 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.¡¨ 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 ¡§Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.¡¨ 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin¡¦s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, ¡§Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!¡¨ 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, ¡§Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 34 Then Mary said to the angel, ¡§How can this be, since I do not know a man?¡¨ 35 And the angel answered and said to her, ¡§The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.¡¨ 38 Then Mary said, ¡§Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.¡¨ And the angel departed from her. 39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 44 Then Elizabeth Said, For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
INTRODUCTION: YOUR BABY SHALL LEAP AGAIN
The Gospel Of Luke Is Unique ¡V written by a Gentile. As a Gentile, he saw things from a much wider perspective and could have chosen to distort the truth. But he did not. Why? Luke is a historian who intends to set in order the narratives pertaining to Jesus Christ (Luke 1:1-5, Acts 1:1). Luke¡¥s work shows the marks of a hard working scholar who has considered and recorded the facts tediously and spiritually. He is also a doctor (Colossians 4:14) - a well-read and educated man, with the analytical skills to present a well-researched account of the life of Jesus. He records many of the healing miracles of Jesus. Luke is also a traveler (Acts 16:10-13) - accompanied Paul on many trips. He is an evangelist - Gospel of Luke emphasizes that Jesus brought us good news. Some Parables unique to Luke: The Good Samaritan, The Prodigal Son, The Rich Man & Lazarus, The Persistent Widow, The Pharisee & Tax Collector, Etc.
Luke Begins This Book In The Midst Of Hopelessness. Hopelessness is a weapon that the enemy uses effectively. Hopelessness means dejected, despairing, despondent, desperate, absence of hope, feeling of futility and passive abandonment of oneself to fate. Hopelessness is when you come to that place where you have totally given up and you feel you can do no more - that even God or those you depended on have failed you. You may be living but your life has come to an end. E.g. Some patients with terminal illness die earlier than the doctors predict because they lose the will to fight. Do you know why most people never finish a project, an education, a marriage, a relationship, a dream that they are more than able to achieve? Hopelessness. E.g. September 11 attack on the World Trade Center - a lady coming down the stairs when the building collapsed. She was trapped between concrete and steel for more than 27 hours. She was the last person found alive in the rescue effort ¡V hope kept her alive. Hopelessness leads to illness, suicide, depression, joining them, being negative, gossiping, etc. But somehow when a person is a child of God and trusts him with the failures and disappointments, babies or dreams can leap again. Talk to Saran and Abraham. Talk to Elkanah and Hannah. Talk to Isaac and Rebekah. Talk to Joseph and his Father Jacob. Talk to Elijah when he receives a threat from Jezebel. That is what Christmas is all about ¡V hopelessness to hope.
IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY, YOU SEE HOPELESSNESS. LIKE TODAY¡¦S WORLD.
1. Nationally - The Jews & Romans: A country under bondage by the Romans.
2. Domestically - Mary & Joseph: Young girl to marry an older man. Angel brings bad news.
3. Politically - The Wise Men & Herod: A wicked king will kill to keep on to power and control.
4. Religiously - Religious System & The People Served: A corrupt religious system.
5. Local - Zechariah & Elizabeth: A blameless couple suffering from pains of childlessness.
6. Church - Simon & Anna: Some good left in the corruption ¡V be different. Only they waited.
In The Midst Of Hopelessness, A Christian Should Be: An encourager to others; A channel of God¡¦s Word; A blessing to the lost. Our world today is a mess. Talk about terrorism, fear, threats, disappointments, deception, destruction, prejudice, unhinged politicians, etc. We don¡¦t know who to trust. We need a Christmas hope like they did. Let¡¦s look at the passage.
PRACTICAL TRUTHS IN ELIZABETH & ZECHARIAH THAT MAKE BABIES LEAP AGAIN
1. Zechariah And Elizabeth Were Very Faithful To God.
Zachariah Was One Of About 20,000 Priests That Served The Temple. They were divided by King David into 24 divisions (1 Chron. 23-24) because there were too many priests to work at the temple. A priest could only offer this service once in his lifetime. Twice a year, each division would leave their families to serve in the temple one week at a time. Inside the temple, there was a room called the Holy Place ¡V and not just anybody could go in - where God would meet his people. Twice a day, a special incense was burned on the altar representing the prayers of the people. With so many priests, they would cast lots to determine who went in to burn this incense. Before the coming of the Holy Spirit, they believed God would reveal his choice for this sacred duty through casting lots. And if you¡¦re chosen in this once-in-a-lifetime experience, it means that God has personally chosen you to come into his presence and represent his people. Zechariah was a good, faithful, and religious man and had served God faithfully - blameless. Measure your faithfulness to God. What can be said of you? Though there were about 20,000 priests around Jerusalem, unfortunately many of them were proud, overly indulgent, self-seeking men, religious only in matters that would impress others. E.g. Priest in the parable of the Good Samaritan. But there were a few who were different and among them was an old priest Zacharias, whose name means ¡§the Lord remembers.¡¨ The laws of Moses insisted that a priest marry only a woman of highest reputation, thus Zacharias had chosen the daughter of another priest to be his wife. They both sought to exalt God alone rather than make a show before men. They did not even care about the status that went with the priesthood. They lived in an obscure village in the hilly region south of Jerusalem rather than in the elite section of the city itself as did other priests, or in Jericho, the luxurious city of the palms. Their commitment was no outward show - it was a heart relationship with the Lord. They cared more about what God thought of them than what men thought. That is how we ought to be to people and serving God.
2. Zechariah & Elizabeth Had Irreversible Disappointments In Their Lives.
But As Devoted As Elizabeth And Zechariah Were, They Were Also Deeply Living A Lifetime Of Disappointment & Shame. While many of our problems stem from our own sins, God does allow some problem to invade our lives for no other purpose but to help us grow. E.g. Job, Daniel, Joseph. God wants them there, and no obedience can bring immunity. Zacharias and Elizabeth had big problems that were hopeless. Luke 1:7: ¡§But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.¡¨ We don¡¦t know Zechariah¡¦s age but Numbers 8:24-25 says the priests began serving at 25 and retired at 50 ¡V had to be above 50, not mandatory. Let¡¦s not forget that they were also considered a public disgrace. Barrenness was considered a sign of God¡¦s disfavor and punishment so this couple lived with shame believing that while they were devoted to God, some probably suspected them of serious secret sin. And there was no way to erase that blot. The phrase ¡§advanced in years¡¨ meant at least 60 years of age, well beyond the time of childbearing. It was a hopeless situation. Zacharias faithfully served as priest while Elizabeth mourned because she had no child (Luke 1:25). Childlessness Is Not The Only Pain Couples Go Through. In What Area Of Life Are You Experiencing Unmet Expectations? What Prayers Have Been Met With Silence? Maybe like Zechariah and Elizabeth, you¡¦re trying to have children, but you can¡¦t. Maybe you¡¦re single and you desperately want to be married, but you have not. Maybe you¡¦re married, but marriage hasn¡¦t turned out the way you thought. Maybe you are dealing with a chronic illness or handicap. Financial problems. Immigration matters. Maybe you¡¦ve prayed and prayed, but God just doesn¡¦t answer. What are your thoughts about God in this situation? Just continue to serve and wait¡K
Zacharias Could Have Exonerated Himself By Divorcing Elizabeth. In their society, barrenness was an accepted ground for divorce. Zacharias could have gotten rid of her, married a younger woman to have children, and gotten that curse off his back. That was the route many other men would have taken. But not Zachariah. Instead he prayed (Luke 1:13). He committed the situation to the one person who could do something about it. I imagine that he prayed about it together with Elizabeth. That is a husband¡¦s responsibility as the spiritual leader in his marriage. Too often a wife has to drag her husband along spiritually; she coaxes, begs, and badgers him for every step he reluctantly takes in his spiritual growth. God does not want any of us trying to drag others along spiritually, but he does want husbands out in front, taking the spiritual lead and ministering to their wives and children in the things of Christ.
3. Elizabeth And Zechariah Had Stopped Trusting God¡¦s Timing.
Luke 1:13: An angel of the Lord suddenly appears and announces: ¡§Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.¡¨ One of the hardest things to do when we pray is to wait for God¡¦s answers. I¡¦m intrigued by God¡¦s sense of timing in Luke 1. 1:5 ¡§In the time of Herod¡K¡¨ / 1:10 ¡§And when the time for the burning of incense came¡K¡¨ / 1:20 ¡§¡Kmy words, which will come true at their proper time.¡¨ / 1:23 ¡§When his time of service was completed¡K¡¨ / 1:24 ¡§After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.¡¨ / 1:26 ¡§In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth¡K¡¨ / 1:39 ¡§At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea.¡¨ / 1:57 ¡§When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.¡¨
The Angel Did Not Announce That A Prophecy Was Going To Be Fulfilled, that the forerunner was coming, or that Jesus was coming. He announced that their prayer request had been answered. The Greek word for ¡§petition¡¨ is Deesis which means ¡§urgent request.¡¨ Zacharias and Elizabeth had been urgently praying that God would give them a son. God heard them but wanted to give them a special child and at the right time. The Phrase ¡§Has Been Heard¡¨ is direct. This is amazing because Zechariah and Elizabeth are quite old and past the normal age to have children. They had been praying for 40 years or more but nothing had happened ¡V now old. And yet here¡¦s an angel saying: ¡§Your prayer has been heard.¡¨ God often puts us in hopeless situations so we¡¦ll trust Him. But we are humans in the flesh - Luke 1:18:¡§How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.¡¨ Because he doubted, he was given a sign - he would be mute until John was born.
When God Used Gabriel To Speak To Zechariah, He Was Breaking 400 Years Of Silence. Malachi 4:5-6 "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. After these words, God became silent for 400 years. There were no prophets, no messages, until that day when an angel appeared to Zachariah and he said: ¡§You will have a son. You will name him John. And he will be a prophet in the spirit of Elijah. He¡¦ll bring people back to God and prepare them for the coming of the Lord.¡¨ Now the time was right for something new. God often waits until things are humanly impossible and then He does what only He can do:
ľ Abraham waited 25 years for the son that was promised to him.
ľ Joseph was ruler of Egypt only after he was in prison.
ľ Gideon had victory only when his army was taken down in size to 300.
Double Blessing: God Could Have Chosen Some Other Time To Send The Angel, but He sent Gabriel when Zacharias was having a lifelong wish fulfilled. God timed the announcement wonderfully. Did God also control the lot that selected Zacharias? Yes, in order to add blessing upon blessing. God is in the business of doing this for those who call upon His name. Your time is coming.
This Baby Will Be Great, Special In God¡¦s Sight ¡V named ¡§John¡¨ meaning ¡§Yahweh has been gracious!¡¨ He¡¦s never to take wine or other fermented drink - being set apart. Do not abuse God¡¦s gift to you ¡V anything for that matter. From birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. Before Christ, the Spirit would only come and indwell people for limited amounts of time to achieve certain things in their lives. But after Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells people at the very moment they become Christians ¡V to teach, guide, empower. John is to bring many Jews back to God - spirit and power of Elijah. God used Zechariah & Elizabeth¡¦s life-long disappointment to call people back to him!
4. Fear Of What People Would Say Pushed Elizabeth To Hiding; Zechariah Into Muteness.
Luke 1:39-44: Elizabeth hides for 5 months because she wants to make sure it will last. She talked about reproach and people calling her ¡§barren¡¨. Now she wants to let God do the talking by what he¡¦s done. Instead of trying to erase her reproach by talking about what God is going to do, she will let God¡¦s purposes be revealed in His time. Others will sport their blessings ¡V belly. This is double jeopardy ¡V One is mute and the other is in hiding. This is perfect weapon for the enemy.
5. Though Suffering Her Own Pains, Elizabeth Became An Encouragement For Mary.
When You¡¦re Going Through Something, Look For Ways That God Wants To Use You To Encourage Someone Else. We get so wrapped up in our own worries that we forget there are people around us who need encouragement. In fact, one reason God ministers to us is so that we¡¦ll minister to others. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: ¡§Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.¡¨
6. When The Extraordinary God Invades Your Situation, Your Baby Shall Leap Again.
At The Sound Of Mary Greeting Elizabeth, The Baby Leaped. The baby is leaping within the womb because he knows that the coming of the Lord is near. About Babies: In The 6th Month, The Baby¡¦s Organs Are Fully Formed. The eyes are rather prominent. The eyelids are fused until weeks 25 to 26 when they open. The skin is wrinkled, red and thin with little underlying fat. The skin is covered with a waxy substance called vernix, which protects it while it is floating in the uterus. The body is well muscled, but still thin. The baby has become better proportioned, with the size of the body catching up with the size of the head. The baby¡¦s hearing is also well developed by this stage; the baby will respond to noise. John was not responding to noise but to a voice ¡V prophetic voice for which he was born. The stirring that you feel in your spirit is the excitement of your dream as it senses the nearness of revival. The one carrying the child is filled with the Holy Spirit and enabled to proclaim the coming of the Lord.Those willing to venture again will be blessed and used by God¡¦s Spirit. The Spirit will awaken your dead dream. It is starting to leap again with Joy. 3 Kinds Of Joy
1. Natural Joy: When Good Things Happen. Ex: When you¡¦re a kid waiting for Christmas.
2. Moral Joy: When You Have Done The Right Thing.
3. Spiritual Joy: Not Of This World, Because It Comes When We Embrace God. When we are going through dark times, when we cannot feel him, when we least expect Him, when we feel all alone, when we feel like giving up, He is there.
Because God Was In This Meeting of Elizabeth and Mary, It Was Not An Embarrassing, Crushing, Devastating Event. Rather the Holy Spirit came down and filled Elizabeth. And the Baby in Elizabeth¡¦s womb leaped for Joy. You shall respond to a voice from Heaven in Jesus¡¦ Name.
ATTITUDES THAT WILL MAKE YOUR BABY LEAP AGAIN
1. You Must be Willing to Let God Answer In His Own Time.
Zechariah couldn¡¦t believe the angel. We tend to doubt God when the problem appears impossible.
2. You Must be Willing to Let God Answer In His Own Way.
Zechariah and Elizabeth wanted children - what everyone was getting, but God wanted to give them someone special ¡V a unique son for a unique purpose.
3. You Must be Willing to Let God Answer In His Own Power.
Have you ever tried to help God out? Ex: Abraham and Sarah.
4. You Must be Willing to Let God Answer For His Own Purpose.
Christians get a word from God and when they try to commit to it, more problems come. During these times we can get very discouraged. Know that God has a higher purpose!
5. You Must Be Willing To Let God Connect You With His Right Kind Of People.
When Mary and Elizabeth met, the right Spirit, the right attitude, the right motives brought about the right result. When those right people meet, your dream will jump start.
FINAL WORDS AND PRAYERS
Lord, On This Christmas Week, Make Dreams To Leap Again. Every hope that is your will, bring it back to life. Turn disappointments to appointments. Failures to Stepping stones. Defeat to victory. Brokenness to boldness. Tears to tenacity. Shame to confidence. Weakness to strength. Nothing to something. Little to plenty. How many want to get saved? Rededicate to Jesus?
