In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.

-Luke 1:5

Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.

-Luke 1:6

But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

-Luke 1:7

Zechariah and Elizabeth’s faithfulness to God was based on a promise given to Abraham 2000 years earlier.

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

-Luke 1:8-9

And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah…'

-Luke 1:10-13a

…your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth… He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.

-Luke 1:13b-14, 16

Who is the angel talking about? John the Baptist. John prepares the way for the Lord. 'Repent for the Kingdom of God is near!'

-Matthew 3:2

And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

-Luke 1:17

Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.’

-Luke 1:18

The angel said to him, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.’

-Luke 1:19-20

One: Why strike Zechariah with silence? Sometimes God has to quiet us so we can hear Him. Sometimes we have to be still so we can see Him move.

Two: Did God appoint this day from the beginning? Yes. When things looked really bleak, He was still in control.

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

-Luke 1:21-22

When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. ‘The Lord has done this for me,’ she said. ‘In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.’

-Luke 2:23-25

Two themes that run constantly through the Christmas story: Brokenness and New Birth.

Mary is poor, desolate and dependent. Yet, through all of this: New life!

Elizabeth is barren, shamed, insignificant. New Life after years and years of depression and discontent!

Illustration: The Seventh Seal (1957) and Bobby Fischer’s reaction

With God, Checkmate never, ever, comes! Just keep moving forward in faith! Never giving up! Never packing it in!

The King Has One More Move!

Sometimes you wait on God and the thing you are waiting on does not come…in your lifetime.

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.

-Luke 1:5

Zechariah was the only one in his family to see the fulfillment of God’s promises.

God promises to give us a hope and future but not a problem-free life.

One: When God says “No” to you it’s because He has information that you don’t have.

Two: It’s not about your convenience but about your conformity.

Three: It’s not about your plan but about God’s plan becoming a reality in and through your life.

Four: There is only one way forward: Courage and Trust.

No word from God will ever fail.

-Luke 1:37

May it happen to me as you have said.

-Luke 1:38 (CSB)

Keep moving, praying, waiting, and trusting that God is up to something only His knowledge can comprehend.

Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘what.’

-Victor Frankyl, Man’s Search for Meaning

There is no bigger “why” than God!