Luke 1 The Forerunner
The forerunner of Jesus was John the Baptist. He came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for the Lord. And that “spirit” is the Holy Spirit.
John is the only person who was filled with the Spirit of God before he was even born. His coming was foretold in the prophecies too. Isaiah tells of “a voice crying in the wilderness, saying, ‘prepare the way of the Lord.’” Malachi speaks of one “coming in the spirit and power of Elijah.” And we KNOW where Elijah’s power came from; the Lord God Almighty!
John’s story doesn’t start with him. It starts with his parents; Elizabeth and Zachariah. That is where I’m going to start our story too. I probably will stop just before Mary has her visitor because her story weaves into this one.
Let’s join Zechariah and Elizabeth on their journey. Holy Spirit, lead this journey today. Show me what You want me to take from Your story and also use in my life. Set the pace also as we move into Jesus’ story.
♥ ♦ ♥
Zechariah is a good Levite. He has recently reached the age of service; 20 years old. He is also old enough to take a wife. Zechariah’s father arranged for him to marry within the tribe of Levi; one of the daughters descended from Aaron. Husband and wife to be have been meeting with one another over the years and have developed a bond of love, beyond the promise to marry. It is a joy to Zechariah, realizing that it is nearly time to take Elizabeth as his own.
As a member of the tribe of Levi, he has no ancestral lands where he will build a house for the two of them. Instead, he is assigned a house in the land of Judah. Their home is to be in the village of Ein Karem. Here he will serve as a Levite to the people, until he is chosen by lot for service in the Temple.
Zechariah prepares the house, including laying in enough wood for their first winter. With his fists on his hips, he surveys his work. “It’s ready” he announces to himself. “I will gather my bride in two days.” This will give his parents enough time to prepare for the wedding feast.
While Zechariah has been working on their home, Elizabeth is preparing for her future. She works diligently on her wedding dress, as well as several dresses and headdresses fit for a wife. Elizabeth hones her cooking skills by preparing meals for her parents at least three times a week. And she makes linens for their home. These she will contribute to their household’s future. Elizabeth works with purpose, never knowing when her groom would call for her.
Zechariah returns home with a HUGE smile on his face. As soon as he is finished greeting his parents in the traditional exchange, he bursts forth with his news.
“All is in readiness! It’s time for my marriage.”
His abba nods in appreciation of his hard work. His ima puts her hands on her cheeks in excitement. They have been preparing as well. All that needs to happen now is to pay the suppliers for what has been ordered and invite the guests.
As the guests are invited, Elizabeth is also alerted to the date. She calls her closest virgin friends to wait with her, as per tradition. While the women wait, Zechariah’s parents’ home is turned into a lavish oasis of love. The wedding tent is raised, the tables are set, and flowers are attached to the edges of the Chuppah that the couple will stand beneath.
When all is ready, Zechariah leads the procession to Elizabeth’s parents’ home. Elizabeth is brought out and the two walk side by side to the wedding. The music can be heard miles away as the as they weave their way through the city streets.
Finally, they arrive and stand beneath the Chuppah. Elizabeth circles Zechariah seven times, symbolizing that he is now the center of her life. The priest performs the ceremony and the feast begins!
Zechariah and Elizabeth’s wedding was beautiful and they eagerly move from that secluded week into the life of a married couple. Zechariah begins his service in the Synagogue and Elizabeth makes their house a home. Each is superb in their roles and they complement one another well. Just as the Lord intended; the two halves become a whole.
There is only one thing missing. And that is children. No matter how hard they try, Elizabeth’s body does not produce from Zechariah’s seed. This wasn’t an issue in the beginning of their life together, but as the years roll by, it becomes more and more of an issue. And it’s not something just between Zechariah and Elizabeth. EVERYONE weighs in on their inability to have children.
“You must be doing something dreadful for God to withhold children from you” Elizabeth’s best friend offers. “Let’s see if we can figure it out so you can repent.”
Elizabeth wants to scream; “DON’T YOU THINK I THOUGHT OF THAT ALREADY!” But she doesn’t. She nods and they pour over her life together, coming up with nothing.
The only hope she receives is when her ima reminds her of God’s hand on Sarah.
“It could be that He is reserving your life for a special purpose. Don’t lose heart.”
Easy for others to say. They don’t have to walk in Elizabeth’s sandals. But she continues on. After ten years, she stops holding her breath each month as her time nears. “It’s not meant to be” she decides.
Zechariah doesn’t suffer the stigma as much as Elizabeth does, but he is still impacted by their childless state. He can’t count the many times he has been told to quietly put Elizabeth away and find a wife who can bear him sons.
“NEVER!” is his reply every time. He loves Elizabeth more than life itself. He tries his best to find things for the two of them to do together. He worries about her whenever he is called up to serve in the Temple. He loves the Lord and is honored to be chosen to minister to Him and the people, but he is ready to go home when his time is done.
Zechariah is in his 47th year of age. He readies to go to the Temple for casting the lots for the next season of service. The Levites have to come three times a year for this process. Those pulled each time will serve until the next time the lots are cast.
“I will be home in four days, unless I’m chosen” he tells Elizabeth. “If I’m chosen by the Lord, I will be gone for a couple of weeks.”
Elizabeth knows the routine as well as Zechariah, but she dutifully listens each time he tells her. She loves him with all her heart. She misses him while he is away, but she has friends and family to help her if any needs arise in his absence.
“Go with God, my love. I await your return.” She kisses Zechariah and sends him off. “Three more years and he won’t have to cast lots. We will be put out to pasture, just the two of us” she thinks as she watches him walk down the road.
Zechariah’s lot is called for lighting the incense in the Temple each morning during the festival of booths. He will serve for a week during the festival, then a couple days afterwards to get any work caught up that was left undone during the festival.
On his final day of service, Zechariah prepares to go into the Temple to freshen and light the incense. The people watch as he performs the ceremonial washing before entering the Temple. As soon as he puts his foot on the bottom stair, the people begin to pray for him. They are praying that the Lord accepts the sacrifice from his hands.
Zechariah pushes open the door. As it swings inward, he feels the coolness of the air in the Temple as he moves from the bright sunlight into the glow of the lamps. The door closes behind him and he is enveloped in the atmosphere of reverence. With purpose and respect in every move, Zechariah moves to the altar of incense.
Zechariah raises his hand, ready to pour the incense into the bowl when the angel of the Lord suddenly appears on the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah almost drops the vile containing the incense. His hands tremble like leaves in the wind and his eyes grow twice their size. Zechariah is filled with fear; as any man would be in his situation.
The angel of the Lord knows Zechariah’s heart, including the fear that now grips 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. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 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. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 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” (Luke 1:13-17).
Zechariah listens to every word spoken by the angel of the Lord. His mind gets stuck on the early parts. “Elizabeth will bear me a son? Does he know how old my wife is? And that she is baren?”
Then his mind latches onto the story of Abraham and Sarah. Elizabeth is not nearly Sarah’s age, but Abraham was given his promise many times before it finally came to pass. Then, a thought rises up and takes root in his mind. “How do I know this is going to happen?” To put this thought to rest, Zechariah asks for confirmation.
“How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years” (Luke 1:18).
The angel’s eyes narrow and his voice deepens as he answers Zechariah’s challenge. “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. 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” (Luke 1:19-20).
Zechariah can actually feel his voice being pushed down within him and sealed tight. He tries to apologize to Gabriel but nothing comes out of his mouth. He bows his face to the ground instead. He remains in this position for several minutes. When he finally has enough courage, he raises his head and sees the Gabriel is gone.
While Zechariah is in the Temple, the people are beginning to get concerned. This task takes only a minute of two. Zechariah has been gone for more than ten already. They don’t dare approach the Temple to see what is holding him up. They redouble their prayers instead.
Zechariah looks around the whole room, to be sure Gabriel isn’t somewhere else in the room, before rising from the floor. He is excited and terrified all at the same time. He carefully finishes his task and makes his way back outside. He has to wait a moment on the porch as his eyes adjust to the light.
The people breathe an audible sigh when Zechariah steps through the Temple doors. Their prayers have been answered.
Zechariah descends the stairs with as much speed as he can without falling or being irreverent. He has to ‘tell’ someone about his experience. Before he is allowed to speak with anyone, he has to take off his holy robes. They are NOT to be worn anywhere except in the Holy place.
Zechariah quickly changes but takes time to hang his robes in their place for tomorrow’s service. He then goes out into the courtyard to share his experience.
Those that know Zechariah were waiting for him when he emerged. They continue to wait patiently while he removes his holy garments. But they are ready to pepper him with questions as soon as he returns to the courtyard.
“What took you so long? We were beginning to worry about you” asks one of his friends.
Zechariah opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes out. He begins using his hands to try and explain what happened. He is pointing to the Temple, pointing to heaven, pointing to himself, miming rocking a baby, and even pointing to his open mouth.
Confusion mars every face surrounding him. Then one of the priests standing close by understands what is going on.
“He has seen a vision while he was in the Temple!”
Zechariah nods his head vigorously. But that is all the information they can gather from the signs he is making to them. Not only is his voice stopped up but his excitement makes deciphering his gestures impossible. Zechariah and those around him grow frustrated and the group breaks up.
Zechariah shakes his head in frustration. “If I could only make them understand…” he thinks to himself.
The high priest is alerted to the problem and he comes over to Zechariah himself.
“I hear you are having a bit of trouble after seeing a vision in the house of the Lord.”
Zechariah responds with a shrug. He doesn’t even try and talk. He attempts to tell him what happened through gestures though, without any success.
“It’s alright. Why don’t you go home early. We can handle clean up. You need some rest.”
Zechariah drops his hands to his sides. No one can understand a thing he is trying to say. He shakes his head, then leaves the Temple compound. Zechariah gathers his belongings and makes his way home to his wife.
Elizabeth is hanging out the wash to dry when she sees Zechariah coming up the street. She is surprised to see him home so early. She knew he was chosen for a task as he didn’t return right away, but the times he IS chosen, he stays away for much longer. She leaves her wash basket and goes to welcome him at the gate.
When he is through the gate, he embraces Elizabeth and draws her into the house. She looks back over her shoulder at her laundry, but does not ask him to wait while she finishes. “It will be there later” she tells herself.
Zechariah shuts the door behind them and begins trying to make her understand what has happened. When everything else fails, Zechariah puts a hand on Elizabeth’s stomach and points towards heaven with her other hand.
Elizabeth’s eyes go wide. “Do you mean…” Elizabeth puts her own hands on her stomach as well.
Zechariah’s face breaks into a smile that could light the world and his head nods repeatedly, like a bobber on a string; dancing up and down. The two embrace and decide to ‘start working’ on their child immediately.
When the day for Elizabeth’s monthly time rolls around, she doesn’t even think twice about it. She KNOWS that it will not appear this month or for several more to come. Not for a second does she doubt the words of the Lord.
Elizabeth in in her early 40s and isn’t willing to embrace the stares, whispers, or concerned looks. Conventional wisdom says a woman should not be carrying a baby at her age. But this is her miracle child and no one is going to make her anxious about it.
“Zechariah, I can’t go out in front of the women. Let me have this time to myself please.”
Zechariah agrees and he goes to the well every morning to carry water. He also does the shopping. It’s not easy haggling prices when you can’t speak, but Zechariah manages. The people wonder about the absence of his voice. Rummers have made it all the way here from Jerusalem, but they don’t contain any more answers that what Zechariah’s friends can come up with on their own.
In the fourth month, Elizabeth feels her baby move. “Zechariah! He moved! Come and see if you can feel it” calls and excited Elizabeth.
Zechariah puts his hand on Elizabeth’s stomach but can’t feel anything, even though she tells him when the baby moves. He finally shrugs his shoulders and gives her a kiss on the cheek.
Rumors begin to circulate. Some wonder if Elizabeth is sick. Zechariah just smiles every time anyone approaches him about her absence in the town. He politely refuses anyone’s offer to come over and help. He protects Elizabeth’s privacy and desire to stay hidden, for a time.
Time keeps marching and Elizabeth remains hidden until the fifth month of her pregnancy. A neighbor is the first to see her in her garden as she is passing by. She hurries over to the fence and calls out to Elizabeth. Elizabeth waves but doesn’t come over to the fence. Instead, she carries the laundry she has just taken down back into the house.
Within hours, the news that Elizabeth has been seen alive and well circulates with the women in the city. Elizabeth is barely showing and no one would be expecting her to be pregnant, so that fact still stays hidden.
♥ ♦ ♥
We get to stop here. We will shift focus next time, as the Lord does too.
I feel for women who long for a child, but are denied that gift. I don’t know that longing. I know it can be haunting and shape every aspect of a woman’s identity. In the days of Elizabeth, it was believed that a barren woman was being punished by God for her sins. That added to the heartbreak of being childless.
Elizabeth’s heart was like any other woman’s. Broken in pieces and beyond hope, because of her age. I wonder if she doubted the promise when Zechariah brought the news home. Did he even tell her? Was she totally surprised when she missed her first cycle? Not quite Sarah but close enough!
NOTHING is impossible with God!
Father God, thank You for my children and grandchildren. I pray for every woman who longs for a child. Fill their hearts Lord with Your best. If it is with a child, PRAISE YOUR NAME. If it is with peace, PRAISE YOUR NAME also. Bring them comfort and fullness in the way only You can.
Thank You for Your promises too. This is the first of a LONG list that is about to come to pass, in Your stories. There are MANY still unfulfilled today. Because of Your faithfulness earlier, I KNOW I can trust You to bring EVERY promise to fulfillment. I have NO idea when it will happen and what it will look like when it does. All I know, and all I NEED to know, is that YOU are in charge. You have everything under control.
