In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest
named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division
of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of
Aaron. Both were upright in the sight of God’ observing
all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and
they were both well along in years.
Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving
as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom
of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled
worshipers were praying outside.
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side
of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and
was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,
Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear
you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and
delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be
great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented
drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many
of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he
will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the
hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom
of the righteous- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man
and my wife is well along in years.”
The angel answered, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and
have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now
you will be silent and not be able to speak until the day this happens,
because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their
proper time.
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why
he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak
to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept
making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this
his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained
in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days
He has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.
(Luke 1.5-25).
HALLELUJAH! THANK YOU LORD JESUS FOREVERMORE!