December 4 Radical Change

Luke 1:5-7 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. 6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

LUKE mentions Herod here. In his gospel, Luke will make several references to secular rulers. As an historian, he does this to give evidence to prove the good news of Jesus come to earth is not fantasy, but Jesus Christ, God incarnate, has a true place in history. This is crucial to our defense of the gospel and our belief in Jesus as God’s son come to save us from sin’s death.

     Then Luke introduces the radical change God has planned to bring into our lives through a radical change in the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth. The Bible is clear that God chooses people of all types, all ages and all circumstances to do his work. Wonderfully, Zechariah and Elizabeth seem perfect for God’s salvation pan as they are described as, “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly.” Wow! Blameless before God, they are as good as people can be. But then we also know something was wrong for them as, “They had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.”

     This is how God acts, isn’t it? Go back to Genesis 11-12, and you will see this couple is very similar to Abraham and Sarah (first called Abram and Sarai). Note this from Genesis 11:30 Now Sarai was barren; she had no child. We know ultimately Abrham and Sarah had a son Isaac, who fathered Jacob, who fathered 12 sons to be the head of Israel’s 12 tribes.

     Now in Go’s power Zechariah and Elizabeth are to become as much a part of the miracle story of Emmanuel, God made flesh, as is Abraham and Sarah, and as Mary and Joseph. As God used the childless couple Abraham and Sarah to begin the great nation Israel, we will see that God will demonstrate this same transformational power to bring John (the Baptist) into Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s empty womb.

     We must remember how the Old Testament declares how God has used life-changing miracles through the centuries. Time and again he brought life into Israel’s barren hearts. Scripture is witness to the evidence of God’s radical life-giving miracles.

     God has his plan. Now he’s ready to break forth into the world in a new and life-giving way. See to come the surprise, wonder and awe this couple expressed to their God, who had chosen them. These are good emotions for us all who are chosen by God.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to know and trust in our barren times that you are the One to give life. In Jesus name, amen.