December 6, 2022

And they [Zacharias and Elizabeth] were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. Luke 1:6-7

In the days of pagan Roman rule over the known world, this blameless pair were living a quiet life in the hill country of Judea. The notoriously wicked Herod was king over Judea. Largely unnoticed by the world, the faith of Zacharias and Elizabeth must have shone brightly to the host of heaven in contrast to the darkness of those evil days. The promise of a son came (delivered by Gabriel) as the aged Zacharias served in priestly duty at the altar of incense in the temple.

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 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 you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.” v.11-14

Their son, known to us as John the Baptist, was to be the forerunner to the coming Messiah. He would be a prophet of the Most High, preaching the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins.

“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.” v.15

If the leadership of God’s people had been true to their charge, His people as a whole might have followed. It would have been their joy to herald the birth of the Messiah to the world. God had called the nation of Israel to preserve among men the knowledge of His law of love, as well as to teach the prophecies and symbols that pointed to the Savior. At that time in history, there was a prevalent indifference, or lukewarm state, of the majority of the Jewish people. They were more concerned about politics—getting out from under the Roman yoke—than eternal salvation. This state of affairs has a profound and prophetic significance for God’s people today as the second advent of Jesus is fast approaching. It is time to wake up and joyfully herald the second advent of the Lord! Sure, there are many in “high places” who do not want this message, but that only fortifies the urgency to share the everlasting gospel boldly, in the wisdom and discernment the Lord provides for the asking. Ask Him today for the wisdom to seize every opportunity to grow His eternal kingdom.

Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:7-8