The forerunner is on their way
Luke 1:5-17
5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.
8 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10 Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13 But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 16 He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’
The opening verses lay out an important context. Zechariah and Elizabeth lived good lives, being blameless in their living (vs. 6). But they are childless – Elizabeth unable to have children. In the minds of the Hebrew people these two things don’t go together. How can they be childless if they were righteous? God would have blessed them with children if they were truly blameless. That is how the gossip would have gone. Being childless would have been a deep heartache in Zechariah and Elizabeth’s lives.
To offer incense on the altar at the temple in Jerusalem would have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a country priest like Zechariah. In this high and holy moment an angel appears to Zechariah as he is presenting the incense on the altar. The angel’s message is a response to the deep heartache Elizabeth and Zechariah carried – they would have a child. And no ordinary child – he would be like Elijah speaking the word of God with power. His preaching would transform people’s lives and would get people ready for the coming of the Lord (that we know is Jesus).
The angel’s words echo the very end of the Old Testament (Malachi 4:5,6) – a prophet like Elijah would come and transform people’s lives getting them ready for the Lord’s coming. It is thought that there is approximately a 400-year gap between the book of Malachi and the events described in Luke 1 – no prophet had proclaimed a message in that time, and now a new prophet was about to be born. Elizabeth’s barrenness is a metaphor for the barrenness of Israel with no prophet speaking a message from God.
At times our lives feel barren, empty, we wonder if God is going to keep the promises he makes of blessing. Advent invites us to be patient, waiting for God’s unexpected timing. God has not forgotten his promises, but God does move on his own timetable.
PRAYER:
In Advent, O Lord, teach us patience. Teach us the discipline of waiting on you and your timing. Surprise us with your blessing, catch us off guard with your actions, that we might in joyful surprise give you honour and glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.