One of the things I appreciate most about the Christmas story is the work of preparation that God did in sending his son Jesus to the earth to become our Saviour. In today's passage, he sends John as a forerunner of Jesus:
Key verse: "But the angel said...your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John...for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or hard liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. [16] And he will persuade many Israelites to turn to the Lord their God." Luke 1:13-16 NLT
"Zechariah was in the sanctuary when an angel of the Lord appeared, standing to the right of the incense altar. [12] Zechariah was overwhelmed with fear. [13] But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! For God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John. [14] You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice with you at his birth, [15] for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or hard liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. [16] And he will persuade many Israelites to turn to the Lord their God. [17] He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah, the prophet of old. He will precede the coming of the Lord, preparing the people for his arrival. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will change disobedient minds to accept godly wisdom."
This was the announcement that the angel Gabriel made to the priest, Zechariah as he was carrying out his duties in the Jewish temple. He told Zechariah, that his wife who was by now an and old woman would have a child who would be great in the eyes of the Lord! Yhis child would be filled with the Spirit and would persuade many Israelites to turn to the Lord. As we read on, we learn that this child's name was John and that he later preached to the Israelites, baptizing them and prepared them for the message of Jesus, he Messiah!
Even though, Zechariah had been praying for a child, he was in shock and disbelief when God answered his prayer. Our mighty God can do the impossible!
Application:
One of the things I appreciate most about the Christmas story is the work of preparation that God did in sending his son Jesus to the earth to become our Saviour. In today's passage, he sends John as a forerunner of Jesus:
Key verse: "But the angel said...your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John...for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or hard liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. [16] And he will persuade many Israelites to turn to the Lord their God." Luke 1:13-16 NLT
"Zechariah was in the sanctuary when an angel of the Lord appeared, standing to the right of the incense altar. [12] Zechariah was overwhelmed with fear. [13] But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! For God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John. [14] You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice with you at his birth, [15] for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or hard liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. [16] And he will persuade many Israelites to turn to the Lord their God. [17] He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah, the prophet of old. He will precede the coming of the Lord, preparing the people for his arrival. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will change disobedient minds to accept godly wisdom."
This was the announcement that the angel Gabriel made to the priest, Zechariah as he was carrying out his duties in the Jewish temple. He told Zechariah, that his wife who was by now an and old woman would have a child who would be great in the eyes of the Lord! Yhis child would be filled with the Spirit and would persuade many Israelites to turn to the Lord. As we read on, we learn that this child's name was John and that he later preached to the Israelites, baptizing them and prepared them for the message of Jesus, he Messiah!
Even though, Zechariah had been praying for a child, he was in shock and disbelief when God answered his prayer. Our mighty God can do the impossible!
Application: We can learn three things from Zechariah. First, Our God can do the impossible. Secondly, God has great plans for you. Thirdly, God wants to use you to turn the hearts of others to God.
Lord, I know that you can do the impossible! I trust you! Use me to do great things for your glory! Use me to turn the hearts of other people to God. In Jesus Name! Amen!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
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