Zacharias Unable to Speak - Luke 1:22

Luke the physician wrote how an angel appeared to Zacharias the priest as he was burning incense in the temple. The “angel” told Zacharias that he and his wife Elisabeth would have a son whom they were to name “John”. Afterward Zacharias asked, “Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto you, and to show you these glad tidings. And, behold, you shall be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because you believed not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-two of his book Luke shares when Zacharias came out, “he could not speak unto them”, where we read:

And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

The verse reads, “And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple.” Luke began with the words, “And when he came out” or “and at the time and moment Zacharias exited the temple”, “he could not speak unto them” which means “Zacharias was unable to talk, utter a sound or emit a voice to the people who were praying and waiting”: “and they perceived” or “and the crowd understood, discerned and discovered” “that he had seen a vision” which means “that Zacharias saw a spiritual appearance” “in the temple” which means “within the sacred worship place”. Luke shared how Zacharias exited the “temple” and was unable to say a word to the people waiting outside. This cause the people to surmise that Zacharias saw a “spiritual appearance” or “vision”.

The verse continues, “... for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.” Luke added the words, “for he beckoned unto them” which means “because, since and on account that Zacharias expressed meaning by a sign, nodded or winked at the crowd”, “and remained speechless” or “and continued, stayed permanently and constantly blunted, lame in tongue and mute”. Luke shared how Zacharias made physical gestures toward the crowd to communicate, but continued to be without “speech”.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we can imagine this scene as Zacharias finally appears to the waiting crowd of praying people. He cannot speak at all. He can't even make a sound, and because the people were already “marveling” that he took so long in the temple, we can discern what their demeanor was at this point. Just as the “angel Gabriel” told “doubting Zacharias”, he was unable to speak, and this became a certain sign not only to him, but also to the multitude of people that God was doing something special. God wants and loves for people to “believe and trust” in Him, and when they have “faith” in His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they fulfill God's desire to have a relationship with them. Those who are wise will consider this great miracle performed upon Zacharias, and as the rest of the story unfolds, may all who read these things see them as God's effort to “speak” to their hearts.

Next time Luke shares how, “as soon as the days of” Zacharias' “ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

People Waiting for Zacharias - Luke 1:21

The Beloved Physician Luke wrote how an “angel” appeared to Zacharias and told him he and his wife Elisabeth would have a son who they were to name “John”. Afterward Zacharias asked the angel, “Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto you, and to show you these glad tidings. And, behold, you shall be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because you believed not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-one of his book Luke shares how “the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long”, where we read:

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple.

The verse reads, “And the people waited for Zacharias, ...” Luke began with the words, “And the people waited” or “the group of people who were praying outside the temple were expecting, looking and tarrying” “for Zacharias” which means “toward Zacharias whose name means remembered of Jehovah”. Luke shared how the crowd who was praying outside the temple area were “awaiting” Zacharias' appearance.

The verse continues, “... and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple.” Luke added the words, “and marveled” which means “and wondered and admired” “that he tarried so long” or “that Zacharias lingered and delayed for such a long time” “in the temple” which means “within the sacred worship place”. Luke shared how the crowd waiting outside the temple “wondered” why he was taking so long to appear to them.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see not only how the people praying outside the temple were “waiting” a long time for Zacharias to appear. The priest assigned to “burning incense” within the temple did so on behalf of himself and the people of Israel, and after he was finished, he was to appear to the praying crowd to assure them that God heard their prayers. Zacharias was detained by the “angel Gabriel”, so when he took longer than the usual time, the crowd “marveled”. God's work is not always according to our timing, and when He doesn't act when we think He should, we should be patient and understand He has perfect timing for everything. God desires a “trusting” relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when a person yields their life to Him, they can rely upon His perfect “time” to appear on our scene.

Next time Luke shares when Zacharias came out, “he could not speak unto them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Zacharias Unable to Speak - Luke 1:20

Luke the physician wrote concerning Zacharias, “there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elisabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you shall have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink;and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto you, and to show you these glad tidings”, and in chapter one and verse twenty of his book Luke shares how Gabriel said to Zacharias, “you shall be dumb, and not able to speak, unto the day that these things shall be performed”, where we read:

And, behold, you shall be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believed not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

The verse reads, “And, behold, you shall be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed,” Luke began with the words, “And, behold” or “and lo, look and consider”, “you shall be dumb” which means “you, Zacharias, will be mute, silent and holding your peace”, “and not able to speak” or “and incapable of talking or uttering a voice or emitting a sound”, “until the day” which means “till the time” “that these things” or “that all the events Gabriel spoke of” “shall be performed” which means “will come into existence, happen and appear in history”. Luke shared how “Gabriel” told Zacharias he would not be able to “speak” until “the day” when all he told Zacharias comes to pass.

The verse goes on to say, “... because you believed not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.” Luke continued with the words, “because you believed not” which means “since and on account that Zacharias did not trust, was not persuaded and did not have confidence in” “my words” or “Gabriel's utterance, declaration and proclamation”, “which shall be fulfilled” which means “that will be completed, liberally supplied and finished” “in their season” or “in due measure and at the proper time”. Luke shared how “Gabriel” told Zacharias the reason he would be “mute” was because he did not “trust” his words, and Zacharias' inability to speak would continue until all Gabriel's word came to pass.

When we mediate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see the repercussions to Zacharias for his “unbelief”. Zacharias did not see how it was possible for he and his wife Elisabeth to have children since they were “old” and beyond child bearing years. God sent “Gabriel” to share about a miracle He was going to perform through Zacharias and his wife, but he did not “believe” or understand how this was possible. This caused him to be “mute” until the day that his son was dedicated to God. God has a plan for the “salvation” of mankind through His Son Jesus, and when a person discovers that plan, they do best to simply “believe and trust” in what God has said. .

Next time Luke shares how “the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

I am Gabriel - Luke 1:19

The beloved physician Luke wrote concerning Zacharias, “there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elisabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you shall have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink;and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years”, and in chapter one and verse nineteen of his book Luke shares how the angel said to Zacharias, “I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God”, where we read:

And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God;

and am sent to speak unto you, and to show you these glad tidings.

The verse reads, “And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; ” Luke began with the words, “And the angel answering” or “and the messenger and envoy beginning to speak and respond” “said unto him” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Zacharias”, “I am Gabriel” or “I, the angel, and Gabriel whose name means man of God and is one of the angel princes or chiefs of the angels”, “that stand” which means “who is set at hand, present and near” “in the presence of God” or “within the occupied place before, opposite and in the face of the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how the “angel” revealed who He was, “Gabriel”, who is set and in place before the “face” of “God”.

The verse continues, “and am sent to speak unto you, and to show you these glad tidings.” Luke added the words, “and am sent” which means “and is ordered to a place appointed, sent away, driven and departed”, “to speak unto you” or “to utter, declare and proclaim to Zacharias”, “and to show you” which means “to bring, announce and proclaim” “these glad tidings” or “the good news”. Luke shared how the “angel Gabriel” was “appointed” to “declare” and “announce” the “good news” concerning Zacharias' son John and his function in the world.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how “Gabriel” took offense to Zacharias not believing his words concerning his son John. The “doubt” within Zacharias caused “Gabriel” not only to identify himself, but also to share with Zacharias that he “stands” in God's presence. Therefore, there was no way he would fabricate the words he spoke to Zacharias. God wants people to “believe” Him, and when they “trust in, rely upon and cling to” His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, not only will He forgive their sins, but also provide them with “eternal life” with Him. Let all doubt be put aside.

Next time Luke shares how Gabriel says to Zacharias, “you shall be dumb, and not able to speak, unto the day that these things shall be performed”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

How Does Zacharias Know This? - Luke 1:18

Luke the physician wrote concerning Zacharias, “there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elisabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you shall have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink;and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord”, and in chapter one and verse eighteen of his book Luke shares how, “Zacharias said unto the angel, whereby shall I know this?”, where we read:

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this?

for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

The verse reads, “And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this?” Luke began with the words, “And Zacharias said” or “and Zacharias whose name means remembered of Jehovah uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto the angel” which means “to the messenger and envoy”, “Whereby shall I know this” or “how or in what way will I, Zacharias, learn, perceive, understand and be acquainted with what the angel said”? Luke shared how Zacharias questioned the “angel” and his message concerning his son “John”.

The verse goes on to say, “for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.” Luke continued with the words, “for I am an old man” which means “because, since and on account that I, Zacharias, exist as an aged man”, “and my wife” or “and Zacharias' female spouse” “well stricken in years” which means “is advanced, of great age and farther in years old”. Luke shared how Zacharias declared how he and his wife Elisabeth were “old” and “advanced in years”.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we notice the doubt Zacharias had toward the “angel” and his message. Zacharias could not understand how the news of the “angel” could be known and realized because he and his wife were “old” and beyond the child bearing years. Basically, the “angel” gave the message to Zacharias, and he didn't believe the “angel”. The “angel” will say more to Zacharias in our next verse, but for now, let us learn from Zacharias' doubt, and rather believe what God declares concerning His way of “salvation” for mankind. God loves people and He wants them all to come to Him through His Son Jesus, and those who “believe and trust” in Him shall be forgiven of their sins and receive everlasting life with God.

Next time Luke shares how the angel says to Zacharias, “I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

John to Prepare for the Lord - Luke 1:17

Luke the physician wrote concerning Zacharias, “there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elisabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you shall have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink;and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God”, and in chapter one and verse seventeen of his book Luke shares how the angel said, “he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias”, where we read:

And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

The verse reads, “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, ...” Luke began with the words, “And he shall go before him” or “and the Lord will precede John” “in the spirit” which means “in the vital principal by which the body is animated” “and the power” or “and the strength, ability and influence for performing miracles” “of Elias” which means “pertaining to Elijah whose name means my God is Jehovah and was a prophet born at Thisbe, the unflinching champion of the theocracy in the reigns of the idolatrous kings Ahab and Ahaziah”, “to turn the hearts” or “to convert, return and bring back the love and obedience of God” “of fathers” which means “pertaining to the generators and progenitors” “to the children” or “toward their offspring to “return” the “soul or mind as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors” of the “progenitors” toward their “offspring”.

The verse continues, “... and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke added the words, “and the disobedient” which means “and the unpersuadable, non-compliant and contumacious” “to the wisdom” or “toward the understanding, knowledge and holy love of the will of God” “of the just” which refers to “pertaining to the righteous, those who observe divine laws, the upright and virtuous”; “to make ready” or “to prepare and provide for” “a people prepared” which means “a tribe, nation, populace and people who are in a great part of the population” “for the Lord” or “for the One in whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”. Luke shared how “John” would also “turn” people who are “non-compliant” to those who are “virtuous”, and he would “prepare” people in general for the appearance of “the Lord”.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we discover the function of the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth (John”). His job would be give the Lord's power which was like the “spirit and power” granted to “Elijah”, and he was to “have children” return to their parents, the “contumacious” to the “understanding” of those who are “righteous” as he “prepared” the way for people who are ready for the “Lord” to appear. “John” was to be the “fore-runner” to the Messiah, and his main priority would be to return relationships to their original state as well as “turning” people from their “disobedient” lifestyles so they would be prepared to meet the Lord. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and as “John” was to prepare people for His appearance, so we too should prepare ourselves to receive Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Luke shares how, “Zacharias said unto the angel, whereby shall I know this?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".