The Power of Prayer and Faithfulness

Luke 1: 5-25

5In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. 8Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 16He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” 19The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.” 21Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. 22When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. 23When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 24After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, 25“This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”

Historical Context

It is important that Luke told us that Zacharias and Elizabeth were blameless because in Israelite culture, and even in many cultures today, it was considered a curse from God for a woman to be without child – to be barren. If a woman was not able to have a child, it was often thought that it was because God was punishing her for some sin. But we see here that this was not the case. Zacharias and Elizabeth were blameless before God. They were not being punished.

Theme: The Power of Prayer and Faithfulness

Why does Luke start his Gospel with this story?

It happened.  It was note-worthy.  Recording this story helps explain the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus.

Second, this story shows beautifully that the New Testament is birthed from the faithful soil of the Old Testament.  The birth of Jesus was promised, planned and prepared by God out of his faithfulness to Israel This speaks to God’s character.  He is a promise keeper.  God is not abandoning his covenant with Israel.  He is fulfilling his promises and using that nation to scatter his grace to all nations through them.

Third, Luke is showing us the power of prayer.  God hears the prayers of the faithful. This is demonstrated in the way God goes out of his way to bless Zechariah and Elizabeth.  God could have brought John the Baptist into the world any way he wanted.  But it pleased God to bless this faithful couple who had prayed for so long.  He tells them, “You will have joy and gladness.”  This is just an individual version of the goodwill that will be pronounced at the birth of Jesus: “Peace on earth… goodwill to man.”

Fourth, faithfulness matters.  God sees Zechariah and Elizabeth’s faithfulness. God meets us on the road to faithfulness.  This vision came to Zechariah as he was doing what he was asked to do.  It would have been easy for this couple to give up along the way through all the disappointments.  But they kept being faithful.

The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth shows us that, when we consistently do the ordinary, God does the extraordinary… in his perfect timing.