BELIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE THIS CHRISTMAS
Today we heard the hard story of Zechariah, The Priest, who was visited by the Angel Gabriel and told that his old wife Elizabeth would bear a son. We know this son to be John the Baptist. The story of his birth is amazing- and a Total Miracle. Such a Miracle Zechariah didn't believe it himself. So for his brief unbelief, the Angel shut him up- he literally couldn't speak until the child was born and he had to write John's name down when naming him.
God loves you man, but your mouth!
The scripture says that this child took away the reproach of Elizabeth- who according to Jewish custom, was in some fashion cursed because she did not have children. Children are a sign of blessing and favor with God. One very beloved Priest I know once said God sends children to remind us he has not given up on the World. The Power to Open Wombs and Close Wombs rests with God. So the question remains- have you given up on God? Apparently Zechariah had. But that did not deter God.
It didn't deter God from loving Zechariah enough that he blessed him with a son. Why was God so fond of Zechariah? It is written that Zechariah was exceedingly Righteous. So was Elizabeth. Now Zechariah must have loved Elizabeth quite beyond her child-bearing abilities because he stayed married to her. He had choices. He could have pulled an Abraham and impregnated a servant (probably not Kosher in terms of expected priesthood behavior), he could have flirted wildly with other women. God knew he was exceedingly Righteous. His lineage dated all the way back to Elijiah in fact (making it clear that Elijiah bore children.) Some maintain that Jewish law even contains a loophole marriage out provision such that if your wife does not bear children for over ten years you may divorce her and marry another. Zechariah didn't divorce Elizabeth to marry a younger woman.
Jesus' two names in Revelation are "Faithful" and "True." Zechariah, in being a Righteous man, was a man after his own heart. Zechariah was Faithful to Elizabeth, and True to her, even after years and years of not bearing children.
This "reproach" for Elizabeth thing ran deep. People talk, you know. That old woman, whatever happened to her, poor thing! Sometimes, they talk disguised as well meaning prayer, but it is still gossip; Let's pray for that poor old woman- she and her husband can't have children- and he's a Priest! God must be cursing them something aweful for something really bad she did, shall we pray. How hard it must have been year after year for Elizabeth to see family around her with their children and wonder why God didn't bless her marriage with children. She did everything right she thought, she married a Priest after all! He couldn't have married just anyone- she had to be special.
But then an Angel visited them. Not just any Angel- GABRIEL, an ArchAngel. When Gabriel comes, expect a Miracle.
He said to Zechariah the Priest- You are going to have a child-same time next year there is going to be a baby here. His name is going to be John. And because you thought your wife was too old I am going to shut you up until he is born- [lest your Words of Unbelief screw the whole thing up.] (parentheticals mine)
Now there is something to talk about (for about 2,000 years now).
Look for a Miracle this Christmas. Look for your Angel. And when your doubt wells up into your heart, shut yourself up, lest your words of unbelief screw the whole thing up.
The Angel Gabriel told Zechariah- NOTHING is impossible with God. Say that one over and over again. NOTHING is impossible with God.
God isn't hiding.
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