HEAL - God's Heart for Healing in LukeSample

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He’s Got This

Luke is a writer who often includes more detail about an event than other New Testament writers. In his introduction, he tells us that he has worked really hard to give us the most accurate account of the events he’s going to share as well. Additionally, some of Luke’s writings contain events which no other gospel writer included (e.g. Luke 9:51 – 18:35). We also know that Luke spent a lot of time with the apostle Paul who authored 13 of the books in the New Testament.  

Luke begins his account of the life of Jesus by describing what happened to a priest named Zechariah (spelled Zecharias in some Bible translations) one day in Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem. The priests, who were all descendants from the Old Testament tribe of Levi, who were direct descendants of Aaron, Moses’ brother, were in charge of all of the responsibilities within the Temple. Luke described how on this particular day, Zechariah had been chosen by lot (like drawing straws) to burn the incense on the altar. The Altar of Incense, as it was called, sat directly in front of the entrance to the Holy of Holies, the place where the Spirit of the Lord dwelt. We learn through biblical commentary, and historical sources, that because of the large number of priests in each division, each individual priest would burn incense at this altar only once in his lifetime, if he were lucky enough to be selected at all. So, it was a big deal that Zechariah was chosen to burn the incense at the altar for that day. 

Luke then describes how once Zechariah approached the altar to offer the incense, an angel of the Lord named Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and actually had an audible conversation with him.  It’s so amazing that we get to hear what Gabriel had to say! When Gabriel told Zechariah he and his wife were going to have a baby, Zechariah was skeptical to say the least, since he and his wife were well beyond childbearing age. In the next few verses, we learn that the child that was going to be born is the man we know as John the Baptist, the forerunner to the long-awaited Messiah, Jesus Christ. 

In those days, having children was considered to be a direct blessing from God. To the contrary, being barren or having no children was considered to be a curse. Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, despite having lived long lives as “righteous people who were obedient to God,” were barren and by all human description well beyond the age during which a couple could conceive. It seemed as though time had run out for these folks and they would remain cursed. But, we know that is not how the story ends. In fact, this couple’s child, John the Baptist, was the one to whom Jesus referred when He said that there was no one greater who had lived. In one moment, Zechariah’s life changed forever. 

The point is this: regardless of what our circumstances appear to be, we must trust that God is capable of all things. He can cause one priest, out of many, to be selected by “random” draw to go before the Altar of Incense on a particular day so that an angel can come meet him there to announce he would soon be a father, despite he and his wife’s being “well beyond conceiving years.” Irrespective of our current circumstances, our God is able. Able for whatever. The “whatever” isn’t always as profound as delivering a baby to an old couple, it is often much less newsworthy, yet still miraculous and life changing! We don’t have to manipulate, orchestrate, invent or prevent---He is able to accomplish His plans when we are willing to let Him. Pursue Him and He will provide everything else. Rest in that promise, especially during times of trouble. 

QUESTIONS:

1. Do I feel like my current circumstances can’t improve?
2. Could it be the voice of the enemy encouraging me to give up?
3. Can I rely and rest in the promises of my Heavenly Father?