Day One -
Read Luke 1:5-17 in your favorite version of the Bible; then, read it in another version. As you read, ask the Lord to speak to you.
5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Zechariah, the priest, and Elizabeth, his wife were followers of God who lived honorably before Him, keeping His commands. But...they had a problem (all of us do); they were childless.
On the authority of God's Word remember today that God is in the redeeming business! He wants to restore whatever is wrong or missing in your life; whatever it is that you've prayed for so long.
Zechariah went into the temple to minister before the LORD and to burn incense when an angel of the LORD literally showed up! Notice it was not only Zechariah praying; there was a congregation of worshipers praying with him. I wonder how and what he prayed? There's no way to fully know but what was one thing he must have asked for according to verse 13?
When God's people pray, the world changes. Prayer makes possible the impossible. Prayer ushers in the presence and power of God!
The messenger of God came to announce to Zechariah what was to come. The Holy Spirit promises to do that in the life of every believer who looks to Him (John 16:13). However, faith is paramount! God sent word that Zechariah was about to have a son, a descendant, who would one day be called John, "the Baptist," the forerunner of Christ. He would herald the arrival of God's Son and prepare the way for Him. What an honor! And, as we know today, John did just that. But, God said there would be some special things about John. There would be some things he would do and some things he would not do. I wonder why God told Zechariah these details. Could it be so that Zechariah would teach and reinforce the call God placed on his son as he grew up in his home?
The challenge to *herald or announce the arrival of Jesus Christ and prepare the way for Him is a call on every believer today. Will you take the challenge this Christmas season? What an incredible opportunity to minister to people who may never be open to the gospel any other time of the year. Many are lost, many hearts are far from the Lord, and many are searching. Let's memorize Luke 1:15-17 this week (in the Message below or your favorite version) and begin this season by taking "the Baptist" challenge:
"He'll drink neither wine or beer. He'll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother's womb. He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God. He will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics - he'll get the people ready for God."
May the Lord use us this Christmas season to bring honor to Himself.
*keryks (*a preacher, herald") proclaims Christ (His work) with passion and a binding sense of authority (strongsnumber.com). An officer whose business was to denounce or proclaim war, to challenge to battle, to proclaim peace, and to bear messages from the commander of an army. He was invested with a sacred and inviolable character (define.com/herald).
No comments:
Post a Comment