400 years.
For 400 years the God meter had barely registered.
No prophets.
No miracles.
No rescue from the powers that controlled Israel.
Then an angel came - Gabriel we find out later in the story.
Gabriel came . . . to a bent over,childless, over-the-hill priest.
Zechariah was lighting incense, praying in the inner sanctum of the temple - the Holy Place. A rope was tied around his waist - a precaution - in case God's holy presence showed up and the priest-chosen by lot - ended up dead. His body could be pulled out of the Holy Place. But in these days it was cursory -a precaution that had become ritual.
Except on this day. The day of the angel.
Let's not pretend that angels are cute and cuddly and soft and warm. Almost without fail, every time they appear, their first words are "Do not be afraid." What could bring about such fear? - Zechariah was "gripped with fear." Let's use words like terrifying and glorious and warrior and intense when we hear the word angel.
The word angel comes from the Greek "angelios" which means simply messenger.
It's root is also where we derive the phrase "Good News" and evangelism (euangelios)
The angel had a message - some "good news" for Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth.
“Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”A barren couple is promised a son - but not just any son - a Nazarite from conception - destined to turn Israel back to God and prepare the way for the Messiah - the "coming of the Lord."
Gabriel announces he'll have the spirit and power of Elijah. Remember what Elijah did at Mount Carmel (Day 14)
But the words that struck me are found in verse 14 - "You will have great joy and gladness" and not just the couple - "many will rejoice."
A righteous couple promised a righteous son in their past prime baby-making years equals JOY.
400 years of silence are interrupted and the nation will rejoice. God's getting ready to restore Israel.
Has God been silent in your life?
Keep praying.
Are you feeling like your best years, your child raising years are behind you?
Keep waiting.
Does joy seem out of reach?
Keep the faith.
For 400 years the people of God surely thought that God would come quickly to restore Israel's glory.
When Zachariah vowed "I do" to Elizabeth, I'd wager their dreams included many children together.
Life rarely turns out like we planned it. Most of our dreams never materialized.
But God does some of His best work when our faith runs dry, when hope is just a flicker.
Zechariah won the priestly lottery and so was called upon to enter the Temple for prayer. A routine prayer watch became a moment of terror replaced with hope. His prayer was answered.
Keep praying. Christmas is coming. Christ is coming.
He is the one sure thing in all of life's uncertainties.
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