series: Receiving God’s Light #
verse: Luke 1:5-38 #
Introduction: #
It’s human nature to have expectations and be hopeful in certain outcomes. And a lot of fear stems from that. For instance, “What if I don’t have a job after graduation?”, “What if the church doesn’t grow as much as I want it to this year?”, “What if I die alone and with no significant other?”. But God teaches us today that
Context #
400 years since Malachi, there was no prophetic instance. People were relying on the promises made in the past, that were passed down by Kings, Judges, and others. And it was during these 400 years that the Jews separated into different sects because they had separate interpretations of these old promises.
Main Idea: #
How do I respond when God speaks and sheds light into our tunnels? There are 2 things that we must keep when the tunnel feels endless in order to stay joyous.
We need to stay in the Word, even when it feels silent #
Luke 1:6-7 shows that Zakariah and Elizabeth were both very faithful servants. But they did not have children. And children at the time were seen as a blessing from God or as God’s favor. So they were very significant. But the text also shows that, through Zakariah and Elizabeth’s barrenness, God’s work is not dependent on human righteousness. Just because you’re religious or obedient, doesn’t mean that you will receive blessings from God. But when lives are centered on God’s truth, people are better able to recognize and interpret when God actually begins to move. And we can see in verse 8-9, Zakariah continues to do his ordinary obedient work as a priest. He continues to live on with his life, but what’s remarkable is that he did not give up in pursuing God. He faithfully surrounded himself in the promises of God. This means today that there are moments where we are tempted to walk away from God. And it’s important to note that the text isn’t telling us that we have to be righteous or prove our faith. It’s revealing to us that we must simply stay within the Word. Because it shapes our recognition of what is happening around us. In verse 9-11, the text shows that an angel appeared before Zakariah at the right side of the altar. And it’s just a good example of God’s faithfulness to us.
Step into God’s challenging calling when the light comes #
Well first off, how do you even recognize that it was from God? God’ calling is often difficult and something that we aren’t already doing. Though Zakariah and Elizabeth were blessed with a child (as the angel he pronounced), it’s no easy task to be a hundred years old and raising a new born. And this child is also destined to live in the wilderness, eating locusts and honey, and growing unkempt long hair.
And as a result, Zakariah here starts to doubt a bit. As we see in verse 18, he asks, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” This is an instance of a person not trusting in God’s plan. In juxtaposition, Mary says to the angel during her encounter, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”. She believes it to be true, and surrenders.
Joy flows from knowing God’s plan cannot fail. #
Verse 14, the angel tells Zakariah that you will have joy and gladness. And in verse 68-73, we see that Zakariah begins to recognize God’s faithfulness in the various chapters of his life. And in verse 79, we see a metaphor that compares God’s faithfulness to us as if it were the light that shines in every morning. God’s plan cannot and will not ever fail. So be faithful, trust in him, and be joyous in all walks of life.