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 thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.” Luke 1:18-20
Elisabeth
A Wonderful, Joyous Birth
Luke 2:1-20
Purpose: To see and understand the impact of personal salvation come down to mankind and the world through the birth of Jesus Christ.
OUTLINE FOR LUKE 2:1-20 –
I. THESE EVENTS WERE IN THE HANDS OF OUR SOVEREIGN GOD (vv. 1-5; Micah 5:2).
II. THE BIRTH OF JESUS WAS IN THE RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE AND INVOLVED THE RIGHT PEOPLE (vv. 6-7; Galations 4:4).
III. THROUGH THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST THE LOWLY ARE EXALTED, AND THE HAUGHTY MADE LOW (vv. 8-16; 1:52).
IV. THE BIRTH OF JESUS IS SPREAD AROUND BROADLY, AND BY THE LOWLY (vv. 17-18),
V. THE JOY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST (vv. 19-20).
There are many times we do not understand why things happen or are happening as they do. One of those times could be the present day events in the United States and the world; economically, politically, religiously, medically, or in our families. Though things seem to be messed up, and wickedness seems out of control we, as Christians, can rest assured that God has it all in His hands, and is working it all out for our good and His glory. There is no better example of that than the times before the birth of Jesus, the birth of Jesus, and up until now.
God has the good of the world in His hands and heart. We can trust Him. The world should trust Him. He has provided salvation for all who will believe Him, and trust their eternal lives to His care and love. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but would have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).
Let us never think that the people previous to the birth of Jesus believed they had it all figured out; they didn’t. They did however trust that the Lord was working, and accomplishing His purposes and will. We have seen men like Zachariah hearing the message of God from the angel Gabriel concerning the birth of John, and his reception of that message, along with Elisabeth his wife. Then, we have seen the virgin Mary hearing the message of the birth of her Son, and without a human father; yet she believed. Even during that 430 years of darkness God was working, moving in the hearts of men, but in silence; waiting for that right time, place, and for the right people to fulfill His Word.
WE CAN TRUST THAT THE EVENTS ARE IN THE HANDS OF OUR SOVEREIGN GOD (vv. 1-5). None of us like taxes or to take part in census taking. Both of these may have been the purpose of Caesar’s decree; but the real decree came from God Himself, to fulfill His Word that His Son would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David’s heritage (1 Samuel 16:1-4ff). The Old Testament passage for that is,
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2 (KJV)
We must understand that while God created us with what has been called “Free will”, that this does not thwart the will of God, nor hinder His will in any way, but works with His sovereignty fulfilling His will.
If the god the Open Theists believe in is what we have, then we are all without hope. The god of the Open Theists does not know the future any better than you or I; does not direct the affairs of mankind; has no control over what happens tomorrow.
Look at these events with Joseph and Mary. They receive a decree from the ruler of Rome to go to the place of their heritage, which is Bethlehem, and the child that is within the womb of Mary is that Son of Promise who is to be born in Bethlehem, fulfilling the Scriptures. Only God who reigns on high could accomplish such a thing. As Mary was told by Gabriel, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” 1:37 (KJV)
ONLY A SOVEREIGN GOD COULD HAVE HIS SON BORN IN THE RIGHT PLACE, AT THE RIGHT TIME, AND TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE (vv. 6-7). Paul the apostle wrote,
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law…” Galations 4:4 (KJV)
The right place, of course, was the city of David’s heritage and birth; the right time was when there was darkness in the earth, so that the Light might be more clearly seen, heard and received; the right people was a young couple who were awaiting the coming of their Messiah (Though we are not told this specifically, it does seem quite likely, and they received this gift by grace.) And they were faithful to serving the Lord.
I have no idea what the likelihood is of these things all just happening without divine direction, but I am sure the numbers would be astronomical. I do not understand why some people find it so hard to believe that it takes the hands of the Devine to direct the affairs of the Devine, and the birth of His Son is certainly a Devine work.
You can try and explain some things only so many ways, but the obvious, until it becomes so very foolish to make circles around the obvious. In doing so you miss the obvious.
It was the right time and place for the time of our Lord’s life and death. His crucifixion some 33 years later, and in His own country, by the words of His own people, and by the hands of Gentiles, could not have happened any other time.
It is fascinating to think that the Ark of the covenant had been taken away at least 430 years before the birth of Jesus. The Ark represented the presence of God, and His glory; now the presence and glory of God came into their midst in Person. It was the right time, in the right place with the right woman, that the glory of God was revealed to fallen mankind, hated, despised, and laid on the cross by the people who so needed Him.
BY THE SOEREIGN HAND OF GOD, THROUGH THE BIRTH OF HIS SON THE LOWLY ARE EXALTED AND THE HAUGHTY MADE LOW(vv. 8-16; 1:52). Shepherds were the most lowly and despised of Jewish people; yet these were the first to be notified of the birth of their King and Lord.
We are not told how many shepherds there were, but just know that there was more than one because of the plural usage of “shepherds”. Whether there was two, or more makes little difference; the more the merrier I would say. That they were despised by many people only shows that God has in His mind to demonstrate His love to the lonely, the outcasts, and the helpless and hurting.
However many there was we see shepherds “In the field watching their flocks at night”. If it would have been Winter it does not seem likely that they would be in the field, but in their mangers, caves, keeping their sheep warm, and protected. At night they needed to good shepherds guarding the sheep from wolves, and thieves.
As they were guarding their sheep an great, awe-inspiring event happened, unlike anything which they had ever experienced. The angel of the Lord appeared to them, making an announcement of the birth of of the Savior, in the city of David. Along with the announcement came instructions on where to find him. There was also a “heavenly host” which joined with the angel, “praising God” and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
The shepherds heard the angels and found the manger where our Lord lay following His birth. They left the fields “with haste – in a hurry. Probably even to the point of leaving their flocks behind. The joy of seeing the new born King, Son of God was more weighty, personal, costly than the sheep in their folds. The long awaited King was born.
There is no mention of any king who was told. We know the history of Herod and his hatred for even his own sons, and killing them out of jealousy, and fear of their taking the throne from him. Herod was finally brought down. Those who know Jesus and follow Him are exalted.
THE SOVEREIGN BIRTH OF JESUS HAS BEEN SPREAD ABROAD BY THOSE WHO WERE WITNESSES OF HIS BIRTH (vv. 17-18). It does seem like an almost automatic response to tell of something you know that has happened which has excited you and others who were with you. We are not told who they told or how long they spent in telling, just that they scattered the news abroad.
This was such wonderful news that others “wondered” about it. The following is John Gill’s commentary on part of verse 18:
“…wondered at those things that were told them by the shepherds: for though they expected the Messiah, and that he would be born at Bethlehem, yet they did not imagine that he would be born of such mean parents, and appear in such mean circumstances, and in so contemptible a place; and that shepherds, and not the princes of Israel, should have the first notice of it; and yet the account which these shepherd, who were plain hearted men, and could never be thought to invent such a story, and spread it, and impose on men, without any interest in it, was very surprising; so that they knew not what to say to it, neither to deny, nor believe it; accordingly, the Persic version renders the whole thus, “and whoever heard, wondering, stuck at it”; hesitated about it, and yet astonished at the particulars of it; just as Christ’s hearers were in Luk 4:22 who wondered at his ministry, and the manner of it, and yet objected the meanness of his parentage and education.”
From the e-Sword Commentaries.
THE JOY OF THE SOVEREIGN BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST (vv. 19-20). Mary was enamored by the things she heard and seen concerning the events of her Son’s birth. Shepherds coming in from the fields, to see this new born child; a “star” shining over the stable where He lay (Matthew 2:1-2ff); and many other events which include the many fulfillments of the prophetic word of God.
The shepherds after going to see Jesus the new born King returned to their sheepfolds to shepherd their flocks, but with a whole new outlook on things. They were singing, rejoicing in all the things they had seen and heard. Though we are not told that they did; I kind believe the shepherds sat down and visited with Mary and Joseph, then Mary told her story, that of Zachariah and Elisabeth, her story of virgin conception, the virgin birth. Joseph probably told them of how he had about divorced Mary (secretly), except that an angel revealed to Him the unique specialty of this birth and child that would be born (Matthew 1:18-21ff).
Joy, peace, love, gentleness, patience, kindness, self-control, meekness and faith are fruits which follow those who are witnesses, empowered by the presence of this King (Galations 5:22-24). This King was born as Savior to take away our sins by paying the price that was ours to pay.
Without the birth of this King there would be no Savior, no salvation, no Peace or Joy. That is why the shepherds returned praising and glorifying God.
Anyone putting their faith and trust in Jesus the King will live and reign with Him forever. All sins forgiven; the price fully paid by the death of Jesus on the cross, carrying the guilt and shame of sin away in His burial, then His rising for our justification – being made right with God for all eternity, and living for Him, waiting for His return.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Faithful Until The Light
References – Amos 3:7; Revelation 22:6
OUTLINE OF LUKE 1:5-25
I. THE FAITHFUL IN A TIME OF DARKNESS (v. 5).
II. FAVORED BY GOD – DISFAVOR AMONG MENT (vv. 6-7).
III. THROUGH DIVINE APPOINTMENT THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE FAITHFUL HEART AND LIFE (vv. 8-17).
IV. FROM SILENCE TO JUBILATION (vv. 18-25 referencing vv. 57-80).
At the time of Zachariah and Elisabeth it had been about 400 years since God had spoken through a prophet. There had been no prophet for God’s people. It was a time of darkness; and there were praying and desparate souls longing/desiring for the presence of the glory of the LORD.
There was a Temple [Herod’s Temple- not yet finished], but no “Ark of the covenant”. It had not been recovered, and returned to the place – the Most Holy Place.
There was a favored couple – favored by God; probably viewed by the people as being disfavored by God due to having not been blessed with a child. Zachariah and Elisabeth had both been declared “Righteous” by God. This was “Favor”. When God declares one “Righteous” then, that one is “Righteous” indeed.
Zachariah had his once in a lifetime duty to fulfill. The MacArthur Study Bible note states:
“Because of the large number of priests, most would never be chosen for such a duty, and no one was permitted to serve in this capacity twice.”
In this of course we would see a Divine appointment. Does God not direct the fall of the “Lot”? Thus God gives a message to Zachariah that a messenger – foretold in Malachi 4:5-6 – is about to be conceived and born to he and Elisabeth.
This “incense altar” was to be kept burning perpetually. Morning and evening that one priest had privilege of tending the altar making sure the special fiery fragrance ascended to the throne of God. The The couple had been praying/longing/desiring a son, and as Zachariah goes about his duties he receives the answer.
It is interesting to note that the name Zachariah means “Jah has remembered” or “YHWH has remembered”. Through 400 years of silence God was working, and never forgot His people.
FAITHFUL IN A TIME OF DARKNESS (v. 5). As Zachariah and Elisabeth were faithful, they have been declared “Righteous” by God; so too are all who are in Christ Jesus. When we see wickedness abounding we have a word from God that “grace much more abounds” (Romans 5:20).
We must understand that our works, words, deeds, are worthy of righteousness. The righteousness of God is from God alone, declared by God alone. Righteousness comes as a gift from God through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Even when God seems silent; be faithful; believing light is on the way. For many years Zachariah and Elisabeth kept on believing. Do we believe in God only for what He can give us? Do we believe in God only because of the good things He does? Do we believe in God only because of His power, His might, and awe-inspiring displays in creation? If we only believe during these things and only when they are visible to us; we will not be likely to stand faithful like Zachariah and Elisabeth during those dark times of life. Always trust the Lord, believing that there is a greater Light
FAVORED BY GOD – SEEN AS DISFAVORED BY GOD (vv. 6-7). Despite the seeming rejection by God, Zachariah and Elisabeth continue faithfully. Though others could not see it; most likely; they were counted by God as “Righteous”. Many people probably viewed them as cursed by God, and because of their faithfulness some may have wanted them to be cursed by God. Read Psalm 3:1-3.
They continued throught he many years looking/praying/desiring/waiting for a child. We must see, and remember that there is nothing that tells us that God had ever promised them a child.
The believer in Christ must continue looking/praying/desiring/waiting for the the promised return of our Savior. We live for our God who has pronounced us “Righteous”.
THROUGH DIVINE APPOINTMENT THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE FAITHFUL HEART AND LIFE (vv. 8-17). Have you ever started thinking, “It will never happen”? Maybe it was a desire, longing, or prayer you had prayed; you have kept asking, but deep in the recesses of your mind your thoughts were “It’s not going to happen.”
You may at this moment be praying for help with your income situation; your housing situation; matters of education; a health problem that is causing real worries or fear. Do you believe in God appointments? “God appointments” or “Divine appointments” are those things that to some will seem like ‘conincidences’, but to the child of God we know who ordains them. RIGHT? RIGHT.
God has a way of teaching us faith; growing, abiding faith, and that training never stops; until we see Jesus face to face. Then, I could not tell you for sure, but what we may also learn throughout all eternity.
Zachariah having waited many years to serve in the Temple, had also waited for a child with Elisabeth. It is sad to see so many people who are impatient, and cannot wait for anything. Far too many times I have grown impatient in matters of waiting. Who enjoys waiting at a traffic light, or even for a train to pass when you need to get over the tracks to the other side?
Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “Is God delaying me for a purpose?” We may never know on this side of glory, but that delayed traffic may just be a Divine appointment for our safety somewhere down the road, beginning at the light we are sitting at.
Christians must learn the godliness of waiting. The Bible speaks much about waiting, and very little on “Hurry”.
The priest hears God speak through the angel Gabriel, and the message is good news of a son to the couple who had waited for many years. Now, this is God’s timing. It could not have been at a better time. The conception and birth of this son was going to bring such joy into their home, their lives, and their neighbor’s lives as well. Everyone was going to rejoice with Zachariah and Elisabeth.
The conception and birth of this son was going to be a fulfillment of prophecy (Malachi 4:-5-6). They would probably not be alive at the time of this prophet’s ministry. Zachariah is told to name his son “John”. A very specific message, with a very specific name.
This prophet would be a preparer of the way of the LORD, and the Lord’s name is Jesus.
FROM SILENCE TO JUBILATION (vv. 18-25 referencing vv. 57-80). While Zachariah is in the Temple fulfilling his duties, receiving the message, but not believing it he is stricken with dumbness (both mute and deaf – see v. 62). He comes out of the Temple, and cannot speak, and the people having seen him being so long in the Temple perceive that he must have received a vision from God (v. 22). Yet he could not speak.
Can you imagine being in your place of worship, conducting your duties in the church, and Gabriel comes to you with the message, “You will receive what you have been asking for.” You don’t believe this messenger, so he tells you that you are not going to be able to speak, because you have not believed. You cannot tell others of the blessing that is on the way. You must contain yourself, and only write on a piece of paper. You may now want to shout, but because of not believing in the first place you can’t.
Oh, how difficult we make things for ourselves at times because of our unbelief, or doubts.
John the prophet of God was born to Zachariah and Elisabeth in their old age. There was much joy and rejoicing. There was, in fact, much jubilation. When Zachariah admitted to the name John his mouth was open, his hearing returned and there was jubilation. When the Word of God is believed, and practiced in our lives others will hear and believe.
John would be the herald; the messenger of God proclaiming the coming of the Holy One of God, calling for repentance, and for the people to get right with God.
There is a day coming when Jesus will come again. We are the heralds of His coming today. We can be the means of others finding peace with God through Jesus Christ. We look forward to that day when we will stand with Jesus, worshipping Him, giving Him glory; and there will be great jubilation.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 