Luke 1—Zechariah

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.”

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This advent lesson is about Zechariah found in Luke 1. Just who is Zechariah? He was a descendant of Aaron, Moses’ brother, and a priest of the order of Abijah. The Abijah were descendants of Eleazar, the son of Aaron. Eleazar was the head of the eighth course of priests in the Temple during the time of David.

He was married to Elizabeth who is also a descendent of Aaron. According to Luke 1:6, both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly and according to Luke 1:7, they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive. They were both very old.

What was Zechariah’s job as a priest? What made him special? I wonder if, as a descendant of Aaron, he was selected for priesthood based on his heritage or if he chose it a career because he was called by God as our ministers are called today. Also, was he paid, and did he have special training, etc.? What was it like to be a priest for both him and his wife?

Think about your lives. What did you do for a living? What made your job special and what training did you need? I think Zechariah had a life journey with duties, responsibilities, and needs like us. He didn’t necessarily have to work 8 to 5 so to speak but he had to be there when scheduled and had specific tasks and duties to perform. He faced some of the same issues you and I face regarding housing, food, bills, family, etc.

The scripture describes some of his work duties and responsibilities in Luke 1. We are told that priests were divided into divisions and that each division served in the temple. Also, we are told once when the Abijah were serving, Zechariah was chosen to serve as priest before God. This meant he had special duties to perform, and they were to be performed in the presence of God in the temple. Think about what it means to perform duties in the presence of God? How do you think Zechariah felt for such a great responsibility. As such, when it came time for Zechariah to perform his duties he went into the temple to burn incense and a significant event occurred that would change his life: an angel of the Lord appeared to him! What a surprise!

Have you ever had a great surprise? Something so totally unexpected that it just startled you or perhaps even frightened you? How did you react? When you got back your senses then what did you do?

Let’s look further at Zechariah. How many times do you think Zechariah had performed these priestly duties? Think about how many times you have performed the same duties in your different roles in life-roles such as a parent, child, employee or an employer, neighbor, friend, etc. Think about how there are routines that are in each of these roles and how some of these routines we do almost without thinking.

As stated previously, Zechariah was going about the duties of the priest and something significant, important and special happened. An angel appeared to him. How did he react? The scripture says he was very much startled and gripped with fear. I expect he had to collect himself and a first thought might be why an angel had appeared to him.

What happens next? The angel spoke to him! The angel told him not to be afraid. Perhaps this was easier said than done. What did the angel tell him? He is Gabriel and sent from God. Gabriel told him God knows him and proceeded to give him much news.

From this conversation Zechariah knew the angel knew a lot about him and his wife. He told Zechariah he was married to Elizabeth! He told him he knew about their prayers and that the prayers had been heard. He gave this couple a promise that they would have a son, and his name was to be John. He told him some specifics that would apply to them as parents and to John as well. Read Luke 1:13-17. Then Zechariah asked the question (see Luke 1:18): “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” For the answer, read Luke 1:19-20. Zechariah doubted! Why did he doubt it? What happened because he doubted?

What is the lesson for us from this scripture? Zechariah and Elizabeth were faithful servants and faithful in their prayers. They lived righteous lives and observed God’s commands. God heard their prayers and blessed them in a powerful way. From this lesson we know that God hears our prayers and answers them.

– Mr. Jim Etheridge