THE MIRACLE OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

TEXT: LUKE 1:5-23; 57-80

Zachariah was a priest of the Old Testament. He was a Levite. He lived in the times of Herod the great, the one who ordered the children below 2 years of age to be killed in Judea, to destroy any prospect of a future Jewish King. A priest was a minister of God who worked at the temple managing its upkeep, teaching people the scriptures and directing worship services. At the time of Zachariah there were about 20,000 priests throughout the country, far too many to minister in the temple at one time, therefore the priests were divided into 24 separate clans of about 8,000 each. Each clan served in the temple for two weeks per year. Incense was offered by the priest in the Holy place every morning and evening.

Zachariah was of the Clan of Abijah. He was on duty this particular week. Lots were cast to determine who would enter, possibly one chance in a life time. God’s direction was there to determine who would be chosen.

Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth were God fearing people but they had no child as Elizabeth was barren. God’s miracle to Zachariah:-

ZACHARIAH WAS A RIGHTEOUS MAN

Zachariah played a key role in God’s plan for salvation for man as John’s father. He was a devout man. He was a direct descendant of Aaron.
The Lord often talked about leaders in the temple who were pretenders. It was not so in the case of Zachariah. He was a God-fearing and lived a life with a testimony. Because he feared God, he was chosen by God to serve Him that day.
God choses righteous/Holy people to serve Him not just one.

2nd Tim.2:20-21 says that, “In a big house there are many instruments/utensils”. The king in the same house only uses the piece that is clean. In the eyes of God, the article of gold is the cleansed and holy utensil. Even today, this is the article God will use for His people.

GABRIEL APPEARS TO ZACHARIAH

That morning Zachariah was chosen to burn incense. Only priests could enter the holy place of incense. Angel Gabriel appeared on the right hand side of the altar.
There are billions of Angels and not all have the privilege to stand right before the throne of God, only Arch-Angels. These arch-angels are senior angels with privilege to speak for God- Luke 1:19. They know the plans of God. Angel Gabriel stands before God. He is not an ordinary angel. He told prophet Daniel things he didn’t know like, “you are a man greatly loved by God. When you started praying, an answer was given by God.”- Daniel 9:21-23.

THE COST OF UNBELIEF- Luke 1:20

Zachariah refused to believe the message of Gabriel. He disbelieved what Gabriel said would happen. He questioned and doubted God.
We cannot please God if we doubt Him- Hebrews 11:6.
Believing God eases our walk of faith. Believing God gives us credit before Him. Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness- Gen.15:6.

DELAYED BUT NOT DENIED

The prayers of Zachariah and Elizabeth were made for a long time with no answer.
They didn’t get an answer but they continued being faithful to God, they did not waver in faith.
Finally they got the best from God, they got a special child- John.
John the Baptist was a great man before God. He was regarded greatly in all of Israel. He was filled with the Holy Ghost when he was still in the womb before birth, unlike other people of God- Luke 1:15.
Jesus our Lord said of John at one time, “of all men born of women, there is no greater than John”- Luke 7:28.

CONCLUSION