Thoughts for the Day

The birth of John the Baptist foretold

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord.. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, ‘This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favourably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The coming of the Messiah starts in such a little way, with a problem and then with the birth of a child. But like many great events in our scriptures when God's help is sought the problem gets solved. There are a number of stories in the Hebrew scriptures of women, who cannot have children. This was a real tragedy, for the Rabbi's argued that there were seven reasons for a person to be excommunicated from God. The second item on the list said "a Jew who has no wife and no child". Yet these barren women will play a part in God's plan for His world.

So God initiates His plan for the coming Messiah by answering the fervent prayers of Zechariah and Elizabeth who even in their old age will bear a child. That son, John the Baptist, will prepare the people for the coming of Jesus, by turning their thoughts to God. After a gap of 400 hundred years God has called forth a Prophet!

Sometimes we pray for something for months or years and when it doesn't happen we give up, and doubt that God loves us. Zechariah must surely have felt like this to express his disbelief to the Angel Gabriel. Perhaps on this the most special day of his life he was praying for the salvation of Israel. Yet God was to answer both prayers in one go - for God loves us so much and He doesn't give up!

Heavenly Father,
You know the secrets of our hearts,
our worries and our desires;
You know what we don't need;
and what is good for us.
Help us to realise that Your plans for us
are so much bigger than we can imagine,
and to put all our trust in You this Advent.
Amen.