Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 5: Read Luke 1:5-10

Zechariah and Elizabeth 

Luke 1:5-10 describes Zechariah as a good man, who served as a priest and his wife, who was a good woman. Scripture states that this couple followed the law and feared the Lord. They were without fault, but they were unable to have a son. It says that Elizabeth was unable to have a child and that she was very old. Then one day Zechariah was burning incense in the temple and an angel appeared to him. 

In Zechariah's time it was thought that people who followed the law would be blessed. If the Lord didn't find any fault with them they would be healthy, prosperous, and have many children to leave a legacy for them. Luke 1:5-10 reveals that this isn't necessarily the case. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were good people, who followed the law and were without fault, yet it says that they didn't have a son. The birth of a son is important in their time because a son represents prosperity. A son will take care of his parents and he will continue on the legacy of the family. 

It is important to understand that Zechariah and Elizabeth were good people, who followed God, and yet they still had unanswered prayers because it sets the stage for something miraculous. God didn't ignore the reality that this couple wanted a child, but He had a much larger plan for the child than becoming a priest. Luke 1 goes on to state that an angel visited the couple and told them Elizabeth would give birth to a son. This was preposterous because of her age, yet God made it happen. There was some unbelief and this caused Zechariah to be punished, he was unable to speak until his son was born, but his son was still born. That son was named John and it was he who prepared the way for Jesus. 

I think the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is important to remember at this time of year because there are a lot of unanswered prayers and there is this tendency to think it impossible. Perhaps, when thought of in human standards, it is impossible, but with God nothing is impossible. God took these good people and answered their prayers in such a way that they will be remembered always. Zechariah and Elizabeth not only received the gift of their son, but they also were able to witness their son pave the way for the Messiah. That had to be so much more than they could have realistically hoped for. Whatever it is that you are worried about or afraid won't be answered this Christmas, have faith, because God can do anything. He sent John to Elizabeth and Jesus to Mary and through them the good news of salvation was spread. Just imagine the ways He can answer your prayers and use that answer to spread good news to so many more people.

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 2: Read Isaiah 9:2-7

A New Day Is Coming

Isaiah 9 speaks of the hardship of the people. The people live in darkness, they are suffering, and have carried a heavy load, but this will not always be their circumstances. The people will see a great light and will no longer live in darkness. This light will cause the people to grow happy and they will show God their happiness, like the joy during harvest time. The people will be joyous like people that have won a war and have taken their spoils. God will have taken away their heavy load and the rod that the enemy used to punish them. The clothing of war will be thrown into the fire because of the birth of a child. God gave His people a son, who will be responsible for their leadership. He will be known as Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, and Prince of Peace. Power and peace will be with His kingdom always. He will rule with justice and goodness, making it strong, forever. God will do this because of His strong love for His people.

The people lived in darkness. This is no less true today than it was in Isaiah's time. We live in darkness. Today, there was a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California that left 14 dead and 17 more injured. Two, possibly three, people were responsible for this senseless tragedy that may have been the result of workplace drama. Darkness. Outside of California there is more darkness. There are burglaries being planned and committed, people being murdered, and terrorist plots being thought up. Darkness. Everywhere you look, certainly on every news channel, there is darkness. We live in darkness. Humans carry a heavy load and the enemy uses our burdens to punish us mercilessly. Our lives are not joyous, but there is hope.

In the darkness there is light. God has given us Jesus, a son that will free us from the darkness, and we have seen the light. In the light there is hope and we are joyous. We turn our eyes to heaven and give thanks to God for Jesus, our light in the darkness. We have not seen the end of war, but we can rest in the knowledge that the war will end in victory. Jesus has won and He will rule forever. His name will be Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace. Justice and goodness will be ours because God's love for us is so strong. We do not deserve to see the light, we deserve the heaviness of darkness, but God loved us so much that He sent His son to us that we would see the light. In the light there is joy, in the light there is hope, and in the light there is victory.