After I read this week’s focal text (Luke 1:5-23), these five reflections emerged.
(1) Zechariah was at work (v. 8) when he was visited by God’s messenger. We don’t usually expect God to show up in the ordinary places of our lives. Daily routines. Daily duties. How would my work day be different if I considered the possibility that something that happened there was a message from God?
(2) An angel (Gabriel) showed up to speak to Zechariah (v. 11). That’s not the only way God speaks to us. The word “angel” means “God’s messenger,” so I am left to wonder if there are angels in my life that I ignore because I do not recognize them. Who are those in my life who seek to bring me a word from God?
(3) When Zechariah saw the angel, he was terrified (v. 12). He was expecting the news to be bad (v. 18) But, the news was good! Have I ever been so sure that things would go poorly that I missed it when things went well? God is able to make great gifts of grace even when we are convinced that all blessing is lost. God’s “good” does not always look like what we think of as “good.”
(4) Oh, my! There are consequences when we do not heed God’s word (v. 20). Zechariah goes mute. God calls for love and we do not love. There are consequences. God calls for justice and we are unjust. There are consequences. God calls for outreach and we care only for self. There are consequences.
(5) When the account continues, Zechariah goes home (v. 23). Even after a high-moment encounter with God, we are expected to live out the harvest in the ups and downs of daily life. After a journey to the spiritual mountaintop, we go back home and live out that truth in the place of our usual context.
God was not through with Zechariah. In the verses that follow our study text, Zechariah gets his voice back (Luke 1:64) and he used that gift to praise God. How do I praise God?
What Someone Else Has Said: In Leaders Eat Last (Portfolio/Penguin), Simon Sinek wrote: “Leaders are the ones who run headfirst into the unknown...Leaders would sooner sacrifice what is theirs to save what is ours...”
Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Are you looking for me, Lord? Help me to recognize Your presence...”
