December 5 God Shows Up

Luke 1:11-15 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 

Zechariah is going about his day, doing his duties, being a good priest, and BAM! An angel named Gabriel shows up - right there, next to the altar! And in the response that is as every person who meets an angel from God, Zechariah is “gripped with fear”. Others, as we’ll see, are “terrified”. Why?

          It is because they are suddenly face to face with their inadequacies, their weakness - their sin - before God’s holiness. God’s representatives come straight from the throne of Heaven. They bring heaven’s glory with them, and we sin-dirty humans are terrified. How can we ever feel safe in God’s glorious presence?

          Indeed, it is by God’s grace we can approach God’s holy presence. Yes, God’s grace comes very personally to Zechariah and Elizabeth. Gabriel tells him a wonderful gift is on its way. The gift of a son, long prayed for, no longer hoped for, is about to be unwrapped in the bosom of Elizabeth. And the gift is more than a son. The gift is John, one who will bring joy to his parents. And more magnificently, John will bring joy to God.

          John is one-of-a-kind. The Holy Spirit will fill him from the day of his conception. God has anointed him for a special task in the Jordan River about 32 years from this time.

          God’s gracious gift to Zechariah and Elizabeth is a demonstration of God’s gospel message. Feely God gives special messengers to make his name and his salvation known to us.  Thank you, God, for your grace that welcomes us into your presence. Thank you for your messengers to tell your marvelous plan of salvation for mankind. Thank you, Lord, for sending John and the Prophets to tell us of a Savior to come. Thank you for sending Jesus, who would return to Heaven with the gracious, comforting words, “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20) Thank you for your grace that allows us to step out of our fear, past the terror in our hearts and into your peace. 

         

Prayer: Holy Spirit, be our Comforter. Be our Help in our troubles here on earth. Be our gracious Messenger of Jesus’ love and salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.