The Silence is Broken

Today’s reading begins a wonderful, rich, and exciting story in the New Testament. It is so familiar that I invite you to do what I did and step back and imagine what these events must have meant for the people involved.

Luke was the only writer of Scripture who was a Gentile. This is significant, as he, more than the other gospel writers, sees and explores the connection between Jesus and Caesar. He was also a careful historian (vs 3-4). Notice that his gospel was an account of how the Jewish prophecies had, in his lifetime, been fulfilled.

There had been no word from God for 400 years. The last time the Jews had heard a word from God was when the prophet Malachi had spoken, declaring that God would send the prophet Elijah before the day of the Lord came (Malachi 4:5-6). Then silence.

In the midst of this silence, an angel appeared to Zechariah, who, with his wife Elizabeth, was childless and “very old.” In other words, at least sixty. The angel brought the stunning news that they would have a child and no ordinary child, but one who would prepare the people for the Lord, “in the spirit and power of Elijah.”

No wonder Zechariah was incredulous. What would have gone through your mind? He was dumbfounded, literally. The effect of this was to convince people that something had happened to shatter Zechariah in the temple. After he went back home, at the end of his time of service, Elizabeth became pregnant. She understood. “The Lord has shown favour,” she said. That’s what the name “John” means, the name Zechariah had been told to call his son.

Many people find this story, and the stories that follow, unbelievable and dismiss them as fictions invented to add mythical validity to the story of God’s Son coming into this world. Things like that don’t happen, they argue. They are right. Things like that don’t happen—unless God is at work.

Respond in Prayer

Almighty God, forgive me. So often I go through life unthinkingly accepting the viewpoint of people around me who don’t know you, assuming that you pay no attention to what is going on around me. Thank you for this story, reminding me that you have not forgotten your people. Help me to see your presence and to recognize your activity in my life today. Amen.

Annabel Robinson