In the message we begin a new sermon series on the Gospel of Luke. Brian introduces this gospel and then shows the 5 stages that Zacharias and Elizabeth passed through – Barrenness – Promise – Unbelief – Judgment – Fruitfulness.
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The Announcement of John’s Birth
Luke 1:1-25
This morning we begin our new sermon series on the Gospel of Luke, and I couldn’t be more excited! The Gospel of Luke is my favorite of the four gospels. There are many factors which make the Gospel of Luke unique among the 4 Gospels:
- It is the most complete history of any of the gospels (longer than any other)
- It is the only book of the Bible written by a Gentile
- It places special prominence on Jesus’ ministry to the marginalized (poor, women, gentiles, outcasts). Only Luke includes Parable of Good Samaritan, Pharisee & Tax Collector, Account of 10 Lepers Healed.
- Luke gives Great Prominence to Women: women and their stories referred to 45x. Birth of Jesus & John told from mother’s perspectives.
- It places special prominence on prayer (Mt. 19x; Mk. 12x; Lk.26x; Jn.0x). Only writer to tell us Jesus was praying at baptism and transfiguration. In Mt. Jesus prays 3x; Mk. 3x; Luke 8x.
- More than half of the material in Luke is not found in the other 3 gospels.
Each of the 4 gospels was written to give us an account of the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but each gospel portrays Jesus in a slightly different form.
Matthew portrays Jesus as the King of the Jews
Mark portrays Jesus as the Servant of God
John portrays Jesus as the Son of God
Luke portrays Jesus as the Son of Man
Key Word = “Save”. Save, Savior, or Salvation. These words occur 20 times in Luke.
Key Verse: Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Here, in this verse, Luke couples both the phrase “Son of Man” with the word “save”.
Who Wrote this Gospel? The earliest Christian tradition ascribes the authorship of this gospel to Luke, whom Paul calls “the beloved physician.” In the person of Luke, we have a very early example of a missionary doctor. Luke never mentions himself by name in this gospel, but neither does Matthew, Mark, or John. The men who wrote the gospels were not concerned about broadcasting their own names, but that of Jesus Christ.
Who Was He Writing this Gospel To? Verse 3 tell us it was “most excellent Theophilus.” You know we almost named our 2nd son Jonathan “Theophilus.” As soon as he was born, I looked at him and said to Debbie, “That’s the awfullest thing I’ve ever seen!” No, just kidding. Jonathan was a beautiful baby. So, who was this “Theophilus”? Well, some have speculated that this was a name for all of God’s people, because “Theophilus” means “lover of God.” Theos means “God” and phileo means “to love.” However, that explanation won’t hold water because he is called “most excellent Theophilus.” There are three occasions in the book of Acts where the title “most excellent” is put before someone’s name – twice to Felix, once to Festus. There is no doubt in my mind that Theophilus was a real individual that Luke knew in the first century.
What Was The Purpose of this Gospel? Luke tells us in the first 4 verses.
Many had undertaken to compile a biography of Jesus Christ: Luke must have in mind Matthew and Mark’s gospel, and probably some others that are no longer available.
Eyewitnesses and servants of the word: Luke is talking about the apostles here. He is telling Theophilus that he has access many different eyewitness accounts of Jesus Christ that have already been compiled and handed down to him.
Having investigated everything carefully from the beginning: Luke was not an apostle, nor even an eyewitness himself. He investigated everything carefully. He was a historian as well as a physician. I believe Luke interviewed Mary in order to be able to write the first two chapters of this gospel. Who else would have known these details, but Mary? So, I picture Luke visiting Mary and the other apostles and getting the story straight from their mouths.
That you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught: Theophilus had been taught about Jesus Christ. However, Luke wanted to make sure that he knew the exact truth about the things he had been taught. He wanted Theophilus to have the facts about the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
How Does Luke Structure The First 2 Chapters? He deliberately compares and contrasts John with Jesus.
The Birth of John Foretold: 1:5-25
The Birth of Jesus Foretold: 1:26-56
The Birth of John Described: 1:57-80
The Birth of Jesus Described: 2:1-40
Right in the middle of all of this, we have a link between John and Jesus when the pregnant mothers of both boys (Elizabeth and Mary) meet together, and John leaps in his mother’s womb.
Comparisons:
- The same angel (Gabriel) appears to both Zacharias and Mary: 1:19; 1:26-28
- Gabriel announced to both that they would have a son: 1:13; 1:31
- Both sons would be conceived miraculously: 1:18; 1:34
- The angel announced what the names of both boys will be: 1:13; 1:31
- The angel tells both not to be afraid: 1:13; 1:30
- The angel tells both that their son will be great: 1:15; 1:32
- The birth of both sons is described (1:57-66; 2:1-20)
- The birth of both is attended with joy (1:58; 2:10)
- Prophecies are given at birth of both (1:67-79; 2:29-38)
- There is a one-verse description of both of their childhood years (1:80; 2:52)
Well, now that we’ve gotten some background to this Gospel, and seen how Luke structures the first couple of chapters, let’s focus in on God’s Message to Zacharias in verses 5-25. This first scene is acted out in five settings.
1. A Description of Zacharias and Elizabeth: 1:5-7 (Barrenness)
Their Parentage: 1:5. Zacharias was a priest, and Elizabeth was from the daughters of Aaron. They were both Jews, were both from Aaron’s line.
Their Piety: 1:6. “Righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.” What a beautiful description of this elderly couple. Not only were they both Jewish, and both of Aaron’s line, but they both loved the Lord and lived consecrated lives unto Him. I understand the expression “righteous in the sight of God” to mean that they were both justified by faith. They were true Old Testament saints. Their justification resulted in a life of sanctification, because they walked blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. Now, of course, this expression doesn’t mean that they were sinless. It does mean, however, that they were holy, and they were walking in the fear of God.
Their Plight: 1:7. “But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.” If a woman was barren in 1st century Jewish culture, she was thought to be cursed. Not to bear a child for her husband was legal grounds for divorce. At the very least her barrenness brought great disgrace upon her. Notice how she responds in 1:25 after she became pregnant, “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.” Notice that it was to this extremely godly couple that the great trial of barrenness had come. Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that the more holy a person is, the less trials and sufferings he will face. Not so. In fact, it is often our sufferings that produce holiness in our lives.
So, here we are introduced to Zacharias and Elizabeth – a beautiful, consecrated, godly couple, one a priest, and the other a daughter of Aaron, suffering greatly because they could not have children, and now they were too old to have children.
2. The Appearance of the Angel to Zacharias: 1:8-17 (Promise)
When Did The Angel Appear to Zacharias?
“while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division” – David had divided the priests into 24 divisions. There were perhaps 18,000 priests at this time. Each priest served 2 weeks out of the year in the temple. When the priests weren’t serving in the temple, they would usually be farming their land.
“he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense” – the privilege of being chosen by lot to burn incense before the Lord would perhaps come to a priest once in his lifetime. Oh, the excitement that Zacharias must have felt as he anticipated this holy privilege and duty! So, Zacharias experienced this heavenly angelic visitation when he was just going about serving the Lord in his daily life.
Where Did The Angel Appear to Zacharias?
“to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense… standing to the right of the altar of incense” – Zacharias received this heavenly visitor when he was serving the Lord in the temple, at the altar of incense. Interestingly, incense in Scripture speaks of prayer. While the priest is inside the temple offering incense, the whole multitude of the people were outside in prayer. Revelation 5:8 tells us that the bowls of incense in heaven are the prayers of the saints. As the incense was cast on the burning coals in the bowls, it would evoke a rich sweet-smelling fragrance. This is to teach us that our prayers are pleasing and sweet to the Lord who hears them.
What Was The Message of the Angel?
“your petition has been heard and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son” – what petition? Zacharias and Elizabeth must have cried to the Lord many times, year after year, but had eventually given up praying for a son a long time ago. I believe that because when the angel does announce that he will have a son, Zacharias questions him in unbelief. No, I’m sure the petition the angel is referring to was a petition that Zacharias and Elizabeth had prayed many years before when they were both young and were able to have children. What a profound lesson we find here! There may be many prayers we offer to God, but never see an answer – then. Zacharias and Elizabeth must have decided that God was just not going to answer their prayer and give them a child. It just wasn’t in the cards for them. However, God heard their petition, and answered it when it pleased Him. If you have prayed and prayed and nothing happened, take heart. It may not mean that God is saying, “No.” It may just mean that He is saying, “Not now.” It’s not the right time yet.
“he will be great in the sight of the Lord” – John’s appearance and diet were very strange to the people of his day. He dressed in camel’s hair, lived in the wilderness, and ate grasshoppers and honey. Kind of a strange dude. Yet, though he was a nothing in the sight of the world, he was great in the sight of the Lord! What made him so great?
“he will drink no wine or liquor” – like those who took the Nazirite vow, John would completely consecrate Himself to the Lord his God. Nazarites would usually take a vow to abstain from the fruit of the grape and not cut their hair for a short period of time. John, however, completely consecrated himself to the Lord for his entire life! He would not live for the worldly and sensual pleasures of this world, but for the pleasure and glory of God.
“and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb” – 6 months later, Mary who was pregnant with Jesus, came to visit Elizabeth who was pregnant with John. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, John leaped in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Could it be that this is when John would be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb? Both Elizabeth and baby John were both filled with the Holy Spirit at the same time. The Spirit caused the baby to leap in the womb, and the mother to speak words of prophecy. The angel was saying that the Spirit of God would begin to work upon this baby even before he was born! This child had been chosen of God for a very special role in human history.
So, what made John great? Two things – his own complete consecration to God, and the Spirit’s working in his life even before he was born. There is the human element – separation from worldliness unto God. And there is the divine element – the working of the Holy Spirit in his life.
“he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God” – The angel was declaring that John would “make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” How would he do that? By turning their hearts back to the Lord. This is talking about conversion. John would be a man whom God would use to turn multitudes back to God and find salvation. Luke is alluding to Malachi 4:5-6 here, “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, to that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.” The promise is that God would send Elijah the prophet. The angel says that John would come in the spirit and power of Elijah. Evidently, Malachi was not saying that Elijah would literally come himself back to the earth, but that there would be another one who would come who would be much like Elijah. He would come in the same spirit and power of Elijah. It is interesting that the last word of God 400 years before was this message about Elijah coming to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the children to their fathers. When the 400 years of silence is over, and God speaks again, what does He say? He brings up the very prophecy of Elijah coming, and says it will be fulfilled in John the Baptist.
3. Zacharias’ Response to the Angel’s Message 1:18 (Unbelief)
“How will I know this for certain?” – The NLT puts it this way, “how can I be sure this will happen?” When Zacharias and Mary were told by the angel that they would have a son, both asked a question. At first glance, their questions seem similar. However, Zacharias’ question was one of unbelief, while Mary’s was not. Zacharias didn’t believe the message of the angel, and was asking for a sign to give him proof it would happen. Mary wasn’t asking for proof; she was asking for an explanation. Mary believed the Lord would give her a son, but she had no idea how it could happen. There is a big difference between questioning God’s Word, and asking for clarification of God’s Word. How do we know that Zacharias responded in unbelief? 1:20, “And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
“For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years” – Why didn’t Zacharias believe the word of God? Because he was looking at himself. When he looked at himself he saw an old man and a wife who was advanced in years. When he looked at himself he saw an impossibility. That’s where we always get into trouble. God tells us something and we look at man, and his ability and power, and we conclude that it can’t be done.
Remember the time when Jesus came walking on the water toward His disciples who were in the boat. The disciples were terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus said, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” So Peter calls out, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” The Lord said, “Come!” So, Peter stepped out of that boat and actually walked on the water. That is, until he saw the wind and waves. Then he became frightened and started to sink. You see, as long as his eyes were on the Lord he could do anything. The minute he took his eyes off of the Lord onto his circumstances he began to sink. The same is true for us. The Lord has called us to do big things, impossible things. He has called us to make disciples of all the nations. He has called us to reach our city for Jesus Christ. He desires that we make disciples and plant churches everywhere. If we look at our human resources we would give up immediately. But if we look to the Lord, we conclude that nothing shall be impossible with Him. We believe Him, and we go on in His service.
4. God’s Judgment on Zacharias for His Unbelief 1:19-23 (Judgment)
The Reason For The Judgment: (It’s based on who the angel is and what he has come to bring him)
“I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God” – We don’t know exactly how many angels God created, but they must easily number in the millions (Rev.5:11). Yet, in the Bible only 2 angels are named – Gabriel and Michael. Michael is sort of the Super-Angel. He’s called in whenever there is heavy fighting and massive battles to wage. Gabriel is the other angel who was given the assignment of the details surrounding bringing John the Baptist and Jesus Christ into the world. Gabriel appears in the Old Testatment in Daniel 9, where Daniel is given the prophecy of the 70 weeks. In that prophecy the Lord tells Daniel when Messiah the Prince shall come – it will be 69 weeks of years from the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. There in Daniel Gabriel is announcing the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. Now that the 483 years have elapsed, Gabriel is back tying all the loose ends together. It’s as if Gabriel is saying, “You don’t know who I am buddy.” Gabriel is sort of a timeless person. He appears in Daniel, full of vigor and strength. Now, here he is 500 years later, just as young, and fresh, and strong as ever. No doubt when we meet him in heaven, he will be just as young and strong as ever.
Now, why was it such a sin not to believe Gabriel’s message? Because of who he was. That which made Gabriel so great was that he stands in the presence of God. “I’ve just been dispatched from the Throne in Heaven by God Almighty!” Zacharias refused to believe someone who stands in the presence of God! It was as if God had told Zacharias that he would have a son, and he had responded, “How will I know this for certain?” What in insult!
“I have been sent to bring you this good news” – To add insult to injury, Zacharias had not only disbelieved the word of God through His mighty angel, but he had disbelieved the good news that the angel was sent to give him. God Himself, had personally sent a messenger to deliver some good news to Zacharias, and he didn’t believe!
The Form of the Judgment
“You shall be silent and unable to speak” – It seems that John was made mute and deaf, because in 1:62, the people made signs to Zacharias to find out what to call the boy when he was born. Now, if Zacharias could hear them, there was no reason to make signs to him. They could just ask him what to call the boy. Zacharias could not speak and could not hear for at least nine months as God’s judgment for refusing to believe the good news of the angel. He had been given the most wonderful news possible, yet he couldn’t share it with anyone! He had nine months to shut himself off from the world and commune with God. He couldn’t hear others, but he could still commune with the living God.
5. God’s Fulfillment of His Promise 1:24-25 (Fruitfulness)
“Elizabeth became pregnant” – The Lord was true to His promise. Zacharias’ unbelief did not thwart God’s sovereign plan. I’m so glad that my sin and unbelief can’t thwart God’s sovereign purposes. What a heavy burden that would be. If God’s plans were ultimately dependant upon me, I’m quite sure that very few, if any, of His plans would ever succeed! But the Lord took these matters into His own hands, and in spite of Zacharias’ unbelief, He brought to pass His own good pleasure.
“She kept herself in seclusion for five months” – Why would Elizabeth keep herself in seclusion? I think it’s because if she went out among her friends and relatives she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep quiet about the baby that God had put in her womb. Now Elizabeth had long ago lost the ability to conceive. She knew that if she opened her mouth and began to tell people the miracle which God had done for her, they would she had absolutely lost her mind. But after 5 months, when it was readily apparent to all that she actually was pregnant, she went public with her good news because everyone could see she wasn’t crazy or making up some incredible story. It was all true!
Life Application
This morning I want you to try to relate with Zacharias. It shouldn’t be too hard to do. Zacharias was one of 18,000 priests. He was not famous or well-known. He was just a regular guy in Israel. But he loved the Lord. He was justified by faith in God. And Zacharias sought to please the Lord by walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. Can you relate so far? You’re just a regular guy or girl who has been saved by the blood of Christ, and in response you love God and truly want to please Him with an obedient life. However, there’s a problem. Zacharias, in spite of the fact that he is truly saved, does not believe a glorious promise of God. Can you relate? Have you ever doubted one of God’s promises, because you think it applies to everyone else but you? Then comes God’s judgment. As a result of your unbelief, you find that God is chastising you. However, just as Zacharias conquers his unbelief by writing on a slate “His name is John”, showing that he had come to believe the message of the angel through his sore trial, the Lord brings us to repentance and restores us to fellowship and communion with Him. What is the result? The Lord brings to pass His promise, just as He said He would.
So, we see a chain of 5 links here: Barrenness – Promise –Unbelief – Judgment – Fruitfulness.
Barrenness: Is this where you are focused right now. Are you painfully aware of a lack of fruit in your life? You have to admit that too often you lose your temper, lash out with your tongue, look at porn, overeat, indulge your flesh, drool at the things your neighbor has and feel discontent with your lot in life, and fail to witness for Christ when He gives you a perfect opportunity. You feel barren and are miserable when you think about it. Just like Elizabeth, you feel like a disgrace because of your barrenness.
Promise: Maybe some of you have moved pass barrenness to the Promise. Yes, you are not as fruitful as you would like, but you have received a promise from God’s Word. Maybe it is Phil.1:6, “He who began a good work in you, will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Maybe it is 1 Thess. 5:23-24, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” Or maybe it is Romans 8:38-39, “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If the Lord has given you His Word in the midst of your perceived barrenness, be very careful! You can trust Him and walk in joy and victory, or question Him and bring upon yourself His discipline. You don’t have to go through what Zacharias did. You can avoid it altogether.
Unbelief: God’s people often go through periods of doubt. Zacharias was a justified man, but he did not believe God’s word. We are told that Abraham grew strong in faith. None of us has perfect faith all the time. Our faith rises at times, and dips at other times. Perhaps this is where you are at this morning. You are in a period of doubt, sort of a spiritual slump. You believe God’s Word is true for everyone else, except for you. Oh, if that is you this morning, turn your eyes from yourself, and put them on God! The angel will say to Mary in vs. 37, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Judgment: Perhaps there are some of you who are under God’s fatherly displeasure. He has taken you out to the woodshed to teach you a lesson you won’t forget. As a result of your unbelief, you have become deaf. Though God speaks to you, you can’t hear any more. Perhaps you have become mute. Whereas, at one time, you praised God and sang songs of joy, and witnessed to others of Christ, right now you have become mute. You are silent. Oh, what a miserable place to be. But take heart! Zacharias insisted on a sign so that he would know for certain he would have a son, and he got his sign! His deafness and muteness were his sign. And this sign proved so valuable to him. It shut out all other voices and sounds for nine months so that he could listen to God. If you are going through a time where you feel far from God, take heart. The Lord is doing a work even in this time to accomplish all His good pleasure in your life.
Fruitfulness: Perhaps some of you are at the fulfillment stage. You see the Lord actually doing in your life what He promised you in His Word. What a glorious place to be! If that is you, just rejoice and give Him praise! If you are seeing Him work in you to overcome your flesh, to have victory over besetting sins, to answer prayer, just praise Him like Elizabeth did when she said, “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.”
Bridge, wherever you are at in your walk with the Lord, He is still sovereign. God is in control. You are still in His hands. He still loves you, and is causing all things to work together for your good and His glory. Get your eyes off of yourself, and your lack, and your inability, and get your eyes on God who can’t fail. His promise and word will come to pass. Trust Him!
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