We began Advent last Sunday looking at the story of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptizer. Zechariah was a priest, educated and influential in his community. Yet, he was filled with disappointment. His faith in God was trembling because his people hadn't heard from God in centuries. No prophets had arisen and miracles were few and far between. Even worse, Israel was now under oppression by Roman rule. It seemed that God was silent and distant and all Israel was waiting.
And beneath all that disappointment, Zechariah had a secret hope that had gone unfulfilled. He and his wife were childless. Together, they suffered in silence - a private disappointment that lay alongside all the other disappointments.
We think of the Christmas characters as witnesses of wonder and astonishing miracles. But mostly, these people were more like you and me ~ Living with disappointment and learning to live by faith in a promise that doesn't seem possible. Let's look at Zechariah's story in Luke 1:5-25.
1:5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
Do you recall a Christmas gift that you were really anticipating? Did you get it? What happened after you received it/ didn't receive it?
Questions
1. What do we learn about Zechariah in this story? What do you think his prayers might have been for? What do you think his frustrations might have been?
2. What are your prayers and frustrations as you enter into the Christmas season?
3. When Gabriel the angel appears, he promises joy and gladness for Zechariah as well as for many others. What is the good news he promises?
4. What promises do you feel like God has made to you? Any?
5. When Zechariah comes out of the temple, he cannot speak. What do you think he did and thought in those following months?
Practical Questions:
6. You are talking with a friend who has had a lot of financial trouble. They have been on and off of welfare, and have overcome a drug habit about a decade ago. They come to you one day and tell you that they feel like God is calling them to start a trucking business. He shows a pretty decent business plan - 2 trucks and a plan for marketing. This is not a person who talks a lot about 'God's plan' - they are usually pretty timid. This vision seems genuine.
The reason he wants to start the business is because his daughter is getting older and he wants to provide a home for her. His step-daughter is also moving home and he needs a bigger place.
"There are just too many obstacles," he says. "I don't have a degree. I don't have the money. I don't know where to start. I feel like God has given me this dream, but I don't know how to make it happen."
How will you counsel your friend?
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