Beyond Ourselves
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; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. (Luke 1:10-13, NIV)
As he enters the Holy Place, incense censer in hand, an angel appears to Zechariah. The old priest is startled and gripped with fear, but the angel tells him not to be afraid. He also tells Zechariah that his prayer has been heard. Both the context and the grammar make it clear that the angel is referring to a specific prayer, and likely it was the one on Zechariah’s heart as he entered the Holy Place.
What was that prayer?
It was not likely that Zechariah was praying for a child. He was entering into God’s presence on behalf of all of Israel, and it is more than likely that Zechariah’s prayer was the same as the prayers of most priests who were selected to burn the incense before God. He was praying for the Deliverer, God’s Messiah.
Amazingly, the answer to Zechariah’s prayer for Messiah brought about an answer to a prayer he had not likely prayed in many years - for Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, to have a child, a son. And God, in His grace, gave Zechariah more than he could have ever imagined. He is about to learn that his son will be the forerunner sent to prepare the way for God’s anointed.
The name John means God’s gracious gift.
God’s grace often comes to us at times, and in places, we might never suspect, and it often comes when we are focused not on ourselves and our needs but on the needs of others.
It really is more blessed to give than to receive.
In Christ,
Dan
Tis the season to look beyond ourselves and think of others.
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