Series: Discovering God’s Will – Advent Style
Theme: Discovering God’s Will for Our Lives looking at the lives of some who are focused on during the Season of Advent – Zacharias the Father of John the Baptist, Mary the Mother of Jesus, Joseph the Father of Jesus and the Wise Men.
Title: Discovering God’s Will – A Life with a Hiccup - Zacharias
Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6; Luke 1:5-25; 57-66
INTRO:
Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Do you know God’s Will for your life?
Are you enjoying the life that God wants you to enjoy?
In other words, does your life plan and God’s life plan line up?
Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at what it means to enjoy God’s Life Plan as we investigate the lives of four individuals that not only discovered God’s Plan for their lives but were enjoying that life plan.
We will be looking at the lives of:
+John the Baptist’s Father – Zacharias – the Man whose experienced a hiccup in his life plan.
+Mary the mother of Jesus – a young woman who was willing at any cost to follow God’s Will for her life
+Joseph, Mary’s Husband – A man who understood God’s plan for his life in progressing pieces
+The Wise Men – Some individuals who were willing to follow God’s plan in the most unusual of ways
Let’s get started:
This morning, we find ourselves looking at a man who knew exactly what God wanted him to do – after all he was a Levite from the division of Abijah.
During the time of King David, the Levites had been organized into 24 separate divisions. Each of the divisions would serve one week, twice a year, taking care of the Temple services. This of course would be in addition to the three major festivals (Passover, Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles) when all the priests were called on to help at the Tabernacle and later the Temple.1
For the clan of Abijah this two-week period would have included:
+The first week of the month of Sivan (around late May to early June) and the week following Shavuot (Pentecost).
When it was their week to serve, the division of Abijah would employ the use of a lottery system to see what each of their members would be doing that week.
This is what happened to Zacharias some 2,000 years ago.
His marker or number had been chosen and his task for that week was to burn the incense on the altar that was located just before the veil that separated everything from the Most Holy Place – the Holies of Holies.
You may remember that the burning of incense was a significant part of the worship service. The incense2 symbolized the prayers of the people rising to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.
Aside from being able to go into the Holy of Holies (only the High Priest could do this) the burning of the incense before the Lord was one of the most important duties any Levite was called upon to do for the people and for the LORD.
That is because you are not only holding one of the most sacred things (the incense) in your hands, but you are bringing the people’s prayers to the LORD. You are being a mediator between God and His People.
So, here is Zacharias around the age of 503 getting ready to serve for his final time in the Temple in any type of official capacity.
It must have been an exciting time in his life.
His time for active ministry was ending. The last 25 years had been great years of working in and around the temple and local synagogues.
Now, his remaining years with Elizabeth would be more relaxed while at the same time still staying engaged. It would be a time where he could enjoy life and spend more time studying, sharing with others and enjoying his family and friends.
I can imagine him as he is going forward to put the incense on the altar thanking the LORD for such a great opportunity towards the end of his active ministry. He would be going out on the top. Again, only the High Priest would have a greater ministry this year than the one he was about to accomplish.
I imagine he had to be reflective about the last 25 years. Being married to Elizabeth, growing up around family and friends and each year becoming more comfortable with being an active Levitical priest.
But now he was on Temple duty for his last time. The next time his division is serving he would be more of an encourager and a supporter as those younger than he would be in charge.
It all had to be rather bittersweet. You look forward to having more time off and at the same time there is sadness in knowing that your time of active service is coming to an end. It has been a great career and one that had been given to him by God’s grace.
After all, you had to be a descendant of Levi to even be a Levitical priest. And what a privilege that was in and of itself. How many others could point back and say that they were from the Tribe of Levi that included such people as Levi, Aaron, Moses, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Ezra and Malachi.
I can imagine him saying right before he is to do his last service - “Let’s get this done and go out on top.”
And thinking …
Let’s watch what we are doing – if this is the last time, we will be actively working in the Temple let’s not mess anything up. Let’s get the incense burning and them come out and share the blessing with the people gathered at the Temple helping them to understand that God has with great love, mercy and grace received their prayers.
Elizabeth will be in the crowd, and I am sure she too will be smiling and at the same time a little sad. We have walked this journey together. As I retire so too does she as the wife of a Levite.
There will be a new couple that becomes the active Levites near our home. And while there will be many who will still honor us and respect us it will be our job and responsibility to turn over everything to the new couple. They will be the new Levitical priest and wife who will be in charge.
It’s been a great life, thought Zacharias.
Now, this one more task and for the most part Elizabeth and I will have fulfilled the mission God has planned out for us. We will be able to say that we have done all that God has required of us.
AND THEN IT HAPPENS –
Amid living out one of his greatest life moments – of being in the center of God’s will – of presenting before the LORD the incense of sacrifices – Gabriel shows up.
-THE HICCUP
Well, this was unexpected to say the least.
As far as Zacharias was concerned, he had never read or heard about such a thing.
Who shows up to interrupt the sacrifice of incense on the altar of the LORD?
This was not in his plan, Elizabeth’s plan or for as he knew in no one’s plan.
He was just moments away from coming out, giving the blessing, smiling at everyone and after taking off his priestly robes going on to celebrate with family and friends his last great mission.
His active work was almost done. His time of active service was coming to an end.
But suddenly, Zacharias was not alone.
It – He – An Angel appeared.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t know very many ministers that on their last Sunday of active ministry had their time of service interrupted with the appearance of an angel.
It had to be both rather amazing and upsetting at the same time.
Talk about going on an emotional roller coaster.
You are already nervous beyond belief that you have been chosen to bring up the sacrifice of the incense.
You are feeling both joy and anxiety of getting ready to semi-retire.
You know that in a few moments you will be celebrating with Elizabeth and some friends.
And then it – He – this angel shows up.
And He is not there to give you a great send off.
I mean what a great thing that would have been – to have an angel of the LORD show up and say something grand and wonderful about how God is so pleased with you for all the good things you have done over the last 50 years of your life. How proud God is for your faithfulness, your obedience and your kindness.
But that is not what happens.
It’s a hiccup and a half.
It’s more that Zacharias can handle.
It’s more than he could have imagined.
And so, he denies it, disagrees with it and doesn’t want it.
He is ready to be semi-retired. He has done all that God has wanted him to do.
But now all this talk about a baby – a baby when you and your wife are rushing towards your fifties and sixties?
Are you kidding me?
I mean I am winding this whole ministry thing down. In just a few moments I will be holding up my hands, giving the blessing and then it’s out the door to tend to my garden, to take quiet walks and to spend some time with family and friends in leisure. Elizabeth and I even have talked about taking a trip to see family for a few weeks and months. We may even move if it is okay with those in charge.
A baby – a baby boy?
Do I look like Abraham and does Elizabeth look like Sarah?
A baby – a baby boy – and one that is going to be like Elijah the Prophet.
That doesn’t sound calm – especially that part about him having the same power and mission of an Elijah.
I am sure Zacharias mind was in turmoil. Who in the right mind would consider a retiring priest to finally be a father and especially a father to one like the Angel was talking about.
The whole event was just too much for Zacharias.
And so he hiccupped on his life mission with the LORD.
He didn’t want it. He couldn’t believe it. He started arguing with the Angel.
That had to be rather odd.
After all, who sees an angel of the LORD and then wants to argue with the angel – especially one like the Angel Gabriel.
So, what happens next?
Well, as we read:
+Gabriel gets a little upset with Zacharias
+He then proclaims that since Zacharias wants to be a stick in the mud and question everything then he can just stay silent for the next nine months or so.
You don’t want this assignment. You don’t want to do what God wants you to do. That’s okay – it’s going to happen anyway but today is going to go down as not your best day – or anyone’s best day – it’s going to be that day when a priest comes out to give a blessing but can’t because God has silenced him.
This is not what was supposed to happen.
+My last task – presenting incense before the LORD.
+My last words – giving a blessing for the people of God
+Walking around getting praise and congratulations – maybe even a retirement cake waiting.
But not this
+A whole new assignment – one that will involve diapers and raising a child in the way of being a Nazarite – a child that will be filled with the Holy Spirit to act and be more like Elijah the Prophet than a Temple Levite.
+No quiet retirement at all – anyone who has raised a child knows that your life is no longer quiet and restful.
+Nope – sorry angel – Go and get one of those young Levites and his wife and let them have this assignment.
Far to often, we take some time here to do a deep reflection on Zacharias’ struggles and God’s correction.
And that is a good study. For it is important for us to realize that when the LORD calls, we are to hear and answer with obedient hearts, minds and bodies.
But I would rather us realize that this was a mere hiccup in Zacharias’ life – He faltered sure – but there is the rest of the story.
+Zacharias accepts his discipline with honor – he doesn’t shy away from what God has called for him and Elizabeth to do – to have a baby.
And if we think that Zacharias had a tough go, think of Elizabeth.
I mean who wants to be a mom as she reaches 50 years of age.
It’s hard enough to become a mom at the age of 20 – 30 but 50?
Not to be indelicate – but it takes them both to conceive this God sent baby – she had to be willing to become pregnant and carry the child.
So, as we look at this hiccup by Zacharias, we must also realize that Elizabeth – a woman whose name means God is my oath or deeply devoted to God – this woman displays a life of faithfulness and obedience.
It was a small hiccup – but one that reminds us that when we accept God’s life plan – it’s not just for our most active years but for all our years.
While Zacharias was silenced, he was not cast to the side.
God’s mercy and love shown through as this couple were still given their divine assignment and as they waited for the time for the baby to arrive.
And it is here that we see the greatness of Zacharias.
+He names the baby John
Now, of course he does, that is what is written here in Luke.
So, what – it’s a good name after all.
Yes, it is but it’s not a name that Zacharias was thought that he would name the boy. It was not a name that was a part of his heritage.
To name the boy Aaron or even Elijah (wouldn’t that have been strange) or even Malachi would have been seen as okay – but not John.
But John it was – and with the naming of the child Zacharias’ mouth is open and his tongue is set free and what does he do – He praises the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.
He praises the Lord and is even given a great prophecy to proclaim.
I thought he was retired and had already done what he was going to do for the LORD.
Well, after the hiccup – the LORD wanted him to end on a really high note –
+His Son – this miracle baby whose name would be John would be more than a Levite – in fact, He would leave the Temple and live in the wilderness – and He would be the fore runner of the Messiah.
What in the world is happening?
This man who had a hiccup in his life plan now ends with a greater message and blessing than he could have ever given coming out of the Temple.
For now, Zacharias would proclaim
+The arrival of a new age – an age even greater than that of Elijah.
+An age that would usher in the time of the Messiah
+An age full of the forgiveness of sin
+An age of great light and salvation
+An age of great peace
I like this story – I like this man and woman.
They remind us that
+Following God’s life plan is a journey and not a single act. It’s a journey that begins with birth here on this earth and continues beyond this physical life to life on the New Heaven and Earth.
+God is always kind to us – leading us – working with us – at times correcting us – always forgiving us and restoring us - crowing us with glory and honor for His name’s sake
+God’s discipline is never intended to hurt us or harm us but to bring us to experience new life, new growth and at times a new mission.
So, whether you are young or old, active, semi-retired or even retired this morning let me challenge you to always be open to be a part of God’s Kingdom work today – this day – this day right now – this day that you are still breathing air and moving around.
And don’t ever think that experiencing a hiccup in your plans is going to sideline you forever – just repent, continue to do what you know God wants you to do and be ready to experience just how much God is going to work with you and through you in the days, weeks and months to come.
Today, don’t just focus on the man who argued with Gabriel the angel Focus instead on what he learned from his angelic encounter and then rejoice with him as He was the man who helped bring forth the one called John the Baptist – the forerunner of Jesus and the one who preached the message of forgiveness and grace.
And then get quiet this week with God and open your heart and mind to what God wants to do with and through you – it might not be to have a baby named John, but it will be something that can bring new life into your life and it will be something that will not only help you but help others.
And what about that hiccup that happens – do what Zacharias does – accept it – repent and learn from it – and then set about doing what God wants to you do – birth a miracle!
1For an excellent look at the whole system see - efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://torahcalendar.com/PDF/24PriestlyCourses.pdf
2 The sacred incense mixture included ingredients like stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, and was burned every morning and evening in the Temple.
3According to Numbers 8:24-2 “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years of age or older shall enter to perform the service in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 25But at the age of fifty, they must retire from performing the work and no longer serve. 26After that, they may assist their brothers in fulfilling their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves are not to do the work. (Berean Standard Bible)
While other sources point towards his age being more than 60 and up to 90+ I think we can safely state that he was probably near 50 as was standard making his wife near 50 and past the days of bearing a child.
