Common sense when things are not Common

Luke 1:18-25

There is much to learn from these seven verses, and first and foremost is when
God sent Gabriel with a message to Zachariah, a wise person would listen and receive it by faith.  The danger in using common sense when things are not common is where Zachariah finds himself.  And this is his reply to the angel; “How shall I know this?  For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”  Unbelief in the messenger and the message is not acceptable to God or to Gabriel and we would be wise to read Gabriel’s reply: “And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”  (Luke 1:19-20 ESV)

I’m not sure if Zachariah had a following, but most priests and rabbi’s did and this was the big moment, as we stated earlier, a once in a life time for Zachariah and the people were wondering why is he staying so long, and when he comes out he cannot talk and they believe he has seen a vision.

 You will have to pardon me as we jump down a few verses to Luke 1:34-38, because this thought rushed into my thinker and I must share it with you.  Six months later Gabriel is sent to a city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin named Mary and gave her the word from God, she was also fearful and ask an important question; “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Then Gabriel explains and listen to Mary’s faith; “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.”  Is that not the heart action our Lord Jesus Christ is looking for in all who follow Him?  

Do you recall Moses coming out of Egypt and God let him in on what was going to happen?  "Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. "Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since my name is in him…” (Exodus 23:20-21)  First, it is clear God’s messenger and His message is to be acted on by faith, and that is precisely what Moses did, and the people of promise all agreed to do as God commanded, but when things did not agree with them they rebelled.

If you enjoy a happy ending you’re going to like this; for when Zachariah’s time was up he returned home and Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying,  “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”  (Luke 1:25 ESV)

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice