Characters at the Cradle: Zechariah, Made Speechless

by David Chadwick

In Luke 1:18-22, the angel identified himself as Gabriel. Gabriel also appears in the book of Daniel in chapters 8 and 9. In the Bible, whenever Gabriel came on the scene, he was addressing prophecy about the Messiah.

The same holds true in this story with Zechariah.

Gabriel came to Zechariah from the presence of God and told him that he was sent by God to share this wonderful, good news of a coming child.

After all this information from Gabriel had been given to Zechariah, Zechariah asked the question, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

God calls all people to a life of faith. He is constantly urging his people to not be afraid, to be bold, to be strong and courageous, to not be terrified. Zechariah’s question was shrouded with doubt and unbelief.

Because of his disobedience and doubt, God made Zechariah mute, unable to speak a word. But how could this be? Gabriel had just released a word and said what WILL take place “in their time,” in accordance to God’s perfect plan and timing. So why would God silence Zechariah?

I think it’s because God wanted to highlight the power of words. Over the unborn life of someone whose mouthpiece would pave the way for the soon and coming King, I think God placed a hedge of protective and holy quietness over this child’s life, where the only words John the Baptist would hear would come from his perfect heavenly Father or his believing mom. No doubt. Not questions. No lack of faith. Only words of life and blessing were to be spoken over this child during those nine months.

This story also speaks powerfully to the fact that babies can hear in the womb. Parents should always be very careful about their words when the mother is pregnant. Avoid arguing and avoid words of unbelief! Pray over the baby in utero and play songs of praise with the baby in utero.

As Zechariah left his temple service, he could not say a word. Completely mute and speechless. The people who saw his face as he walked out concluded he had seen a vision, which he had! I can only imagine inwardly how much Zechariah was praising God with great joy for what he had seen and heard, and, yes, even for the silencing of his words after his expressed unbelief.

I believe Zechariah somehow knew that God had a reason and would work it all together for good (Romans 8:28).

Characters at the Cradle: Zechariah, Father of John the Baptist

by David Chadwick

John was the long awaited son to Zechariah and Elizabeth. His birth paved the way for Jesus’s birth. His voice prepared the way of the Lord. His life pointed to the soon and coming King.

Luke 1:16-17 says this of John: “And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”

The personal calling of John’s life in God’s story grabs my heart every time. Turning many hearts to God. Going before the Messiah. Carrying the same spirit and power of Elijah, perhaps the greatest of all Old Testament prophets. God entrusted so much to John’s hands.

Pause for a moment and consider the magnitude of John’s call and what Zechariah must have felt as he anticipated the coming of his long-awaited son.

Now pause and consider the swell of anticipation that Israel would have with the coming of their long-awaited Messiah.

Zechariah’s story is full of wonder! Both personally and for God’s people. A deeply personal and a deeply corporate groan were being answered all at once!

John would fulfill Malachi 4:5, the prophecy that told of one preceding the Messiah who would turn hearts of fathers back to children and the disobedient back to the wisdom of the Lord. John would call the world to repentance and to ready their hearts for Jesus’s entrance.

As you may know, this John is John the Baptist. 6 months older than Jesus, he preached a message of repentance in the wilderness. Many followed him. But he kept pointing all of his followers to Jesus saying, “I must decrease and he (Jesus) must increase” (John 3:30).

May we all have John’s courage in spirit and an unwavering desire to point people to Jesus and never to ourselves.

For Jesus alone is worthy to be praised!

Characters at the Cradle: Zechariah’s Angelic Visitation

by David Chadwick

The story of Zechariah continues in Luke 1:8-15, which we will look at today. While serving as priest, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple during a high holy feast. Take note that even the drawing of straws is under the sovereign hand of Almighty God according to Proverbs 16:33. We serve a mighty God who has a timing and purpose for everything!

Undoubtedly, while serving in the temple, Zechariah prayed for Israel, as all priests regularly did. However, I would suppose he also prayed fervently for a child, and probably more specifically a son, as sons were considered a special gift from God in those days as they served as a continuation of the family name.

While Zechariah was serving in the temple, an angel, who later in the story self-identifies as Gabriel, appeared to him. 400 years of silence from God is now broken. He said to Zechariah, “Your prayers have been heard.” Could there be a more perfect and wonderful message to receive from an angelic visitation than this? God heard Zechariah’s prayers, which were probably offered many times throughout the years, both for Israel and for a child.

After Gabriel’s encounter with Zechariah, Zechariah was filled with fear, which is a common emotion when anyone in the Bible experienced a divine revelation. Can you even imagine a perfect angel appearing to you as a sinful human? I can only imagine the fear of the Lord that would come upon me if that happened to me.

The angel went on to tell Zechariah that he would have a son and he was to be named John, which means “God is gracious.” And God certainly is gracious. He gave this man a son in his old age by grace, through faith. He told Zechariah that he and his wife would be filled with joy because of this baby. John would be great before the Lord, not given to strong drink or wine, and with a heart totally devoted to the Lord, filled with the Spirit from the womb. As a side note, what a miraculous demonstration of that fact that life begins at conception and that God can encounter and give promises to children in the womb!

No matter what you’re going through, especially if you want a child, keep praying in faith! God hears your prayers!

Nothing brings greater joy than answered prayers.