Graduate 100: Advent, Day 23
Zacharias and Elizabeth
Luke 1:1-25, 39-80
Like Mary, Zacharias (sometimes “Zechariah”) and Elizabeth also serve as models of a man and woman well-pleasing to God. Luke calls them “righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord” (1:6)—phrases reminiscent of statements made about Job, Noah, and Abraham. (188, IVP Bible Background Commentary of the New Testament) The parallels between the account of John’s birth and of the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah are especially strong. In addition to the very practical consequences of failing to produce an heir, Zacharias and Elizabeth also face cultural disapprobation as barrenness was often treated as judgment for sin. But, as in the case of Isaac and Samuel, Luke makes clear that Elizabeth’s barrenness is not a result of any sin, but part of God’s plan.
The gravity and importance and significance of this child-to-be-born, is underscored by the severe consequences that follow from Zacharias’ doubt. However, even that spell of muteness is turned to God’s purposes as the first words that Zacharias utters, after many months of silence, are spoken in praise of God—words of hope and deliverance and joy and thanksgiving and celebration.
Elizabeth, also, is transformed by the experience of seeing God work in her life. She, too, receives of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. She recognizes the mother of the Messiah nine months before He will be born.
Recognizing God’s movements in our world is no small thing. It is a gift of God. Thirty years later, in the course of His earthly ministry, Jesus will ask His disciples: “Who do the multitudes say that I am?” to which they will reply: “John the Baptist [raised from the dead], and others say Elijah; but others that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” He will then ask: “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter will answer: “The Christ of God.” (Luke 9:18-20) In Matthew’s version of that event, Jesus will follow up by saying,
“Blessed are you, Simon Barjona [i.e. “Son of John”], because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter [which means, “a stone”], and upon this rock [referring to Himself] I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (16:17-19)
That is just a small glimpse at what life in the kingdom of God is like. It is one of abiding in the ever-present Spirit of God. It is one of power and confidence and hope and joy. It is one of communion with the creator of the universe. It is not religion; it is not ritual. What Zacharias and Elizabeth experienced was not religion or ritual, but dynamic, interactive, personal relationship; it transformed their lives, the nation of Israel, and continues to transform and impact the world today.
This is what Jesus came to bring—dynamic, personal, interactive, intimate relationship with God. This last point cannot be overstated. There is such a strong tendency to take the claims of Christianity and water them down—to convert them into safe and mundane platitudes. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus came to bring life—life abundant. The question is, Will we receive it?
--
God is in this place,
And that reality, seen and understood by the grace of God in Christ Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit, makes all the difference in the world.
Luke 1:1-25, 39-80
Like Mary, Zacharias (sometimes “Zechariah”) and Elizabeth also serve as models of a man and woman well-pleasing to God. Luke calls them “righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord” (1:6)—phrases reminiscent of statements made about Job, Noah, and Abraham. (188, IVP Bible Background Commentary of the New Testament) The parallels between the account of John’s birth and of the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah are especially strong. In addition to the very practical consequences of failing to produce an heir, Zacharias and Elizabeth also face cultural disapprobation as barrenness was often treated as judgment for sin. But, as in the case of Isaac and Samuel, Luke makes clear that Elizabeth’s barrenness is not a result of any sin, but part of God’s plan.
The gravity and importance and significance of this child-to-be-born, is underscored by the severe consequences that follow from Zacharias’ doubt. However, even that spell of muteness is turned to God’s purposes as the first words that Zacharias utters, after many months of silence, are spoken in praise of God—words of hope and deliverance and joy and thanksgiving and celebration.
Elizabeth, also, is transformed by the experience of seeing God work in her life. She, too, receives of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. She recognizes the mother of the Messiah nine months before He will be born.
Recognizing God’s movements in our world is no small thing. It is a gift of God. Thirty years later, in the course of His earthly ministry, Jesus will ask His disciples: “Who do the multitudes say that I am?” to which they will reply: “John the Baptist [raised from the dead], and others say Elijah; but others that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” He will then ask: “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter will answer: “The Christ of God.” (Luke 9:18-20) In Matthew’s version of that event, Jesus will follow up by saying,
“Blessed are you, Simon Barjona [i.e. “Son of John”], because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter [which means, “a stone”], and upon this rock [referring to Himself] I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (16:17-19)
That is just a small glimpse at what life in the kingdom of God is like. It is one of abiding in the ever-present Spirit of God. It is one of power and confidence and hope and joy. It is one of communion with the creator of the universe. It is not religion; it is not ritual. What Zacharias and Elizabeth experienced was not religion or ritual, but dynamic, interactive, personal relationship; it transformed their lives, the nation of Israel, and continues to transform and impact the world today.
This is what Jesus came to bring—dynamic, personal, interactive, intimate relationship with God. This last point cannot be overstated. There is such a strong tendency to take the claims of Christianity and water them down—to convert them into safe and mundane platitudes. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus came to bring life—life abundant. The question is, Will we receive it?
--
God is in this place,
And that reality, seen and understood by the grace of God in Christ Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit, makes all the difference in the world.
posted by Metaphysician_delta | 2:00 AM
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