Forethoughts To The Forerunner

November 5, 2017 Preacher: Randy Smith Series: Luke

Scripture: Luke 1:5–25

Transcript

Forethoughts To The Forerunner

Luke 1:5-25
Sunday, October 28, 2017
Pastor Randy Smith



I know we are done with Proverbs, but one of the many Proverbs that stuck out to me during my extensive study was 13:12. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick."

We can make it through just about anything as long as we have hope. Not hope as the world defines it, but hope as Bible defines it - a confident expectation that God is in control of my situation and everything as bleak as it may appear at the time will turn out for my greatest good and His glory.

The Bible teaches us that this is God's promise to His children. It takes a lot of faith to believe that so thankfully the Bible also gives us examples. We'll study one of them this morning before we break to celebrate the Lord's Table.

It truly was a dark period for the nation of Israel some two-thousand years ago. It was a long and painful four-hundred years since God's had spoken to them. Yet there was reason for hope. The promises were there. One day a Messiah would come. Plans would unfold with a mighty prophet that would come on the scene and lead the way. In Isaiah 40:3 we read, "A voice is calling, 'Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God." The final book of the Old Testament closed with these words: "Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse" (Mal. 4:5-6). We know this forerunner as "John the Baptist."

Yet there was at the time little light piercing the darkness. The nation seemed forsaken by God, steeped in sin and under the oppressive bondage from a cruel and tyrannical Roman government. Many had given up hope. But Luke in chapter 1 introduces us to five characters who trusted God's character and the promises He delivered: Zacharias, Elizabeth, Mary, Simeon and Anna. God will meet with these hopeful saints as He begins to break into world history in the most dramatic way.

Examine The Setting (verses 1-7)

Let's first "Examine the Setting" found in verses 1-7. Luke, the historian we learned about last week begins his work.

In verse 5 he first introduces the time period. Things were measured back then by the reigning King. In this case we see the King was Herod, King of Judea. He was an evil man, not even a Jew, self-identified as "the Great," for now he is not even a significant player in the story. He's only chronological indicator.

Then there was Zacharias (or as some translations call him, "Zechariah"). He was an ordinary guy. Yes he was a priest, but back then there were an estimated 8,000 in the area. Naturally he was in the priestly line of Aaron and according to verse 5 as was his peasant and aging wife, Elizabeth.

Compare the evil King with Zacharias and Elizabeth. Verse 6 informs us "they were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord."

Immediately we see the contrast between the prideful and the humble, the godless life and the God-fearing life, the people God rejects and the people He delights to reveal Himself.

Were they perfect? Of course not! But this couple sought to be what God desires of His children. They aspired to the greatest goal of life - that they would live their lives for the glory of God. Not man-pleasers that seek approval from the world, but rather God-pleasers that are righteous in the sight of God demonstrated by their holy behavior and actions that are a direct reflection of their love for God. This couple talked the talk and walked the walk!

But just because they lived lives that gave clear evidence that put God first, it doesn't always mean that everything will go exactly in a way that you desire. It's a lesson that we as Christians sometimes have a tough time learning! According to verse 7, "But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years." Elizabeth was childless.

We know how that can bring any couple much heartache. But back then it was doubly as difficult. You see, back then, being barren was viewed as a sign of God's displeasure. Consider their temptation to frustration. Living righteous lives, but to the onlooker considered as people accursed by God. Elizabeth in verse 25 called herself disgraced. How easy would it have been for them to be angry with God, step back into carnal living, question the purpose of their service and lose hope that God really cared?

We know Elizabeth's barrenness was not a sign of God's displeasure. It was only a man-made erroneous concoction. They were pleasing to God according to verse 6. Rather I see this not as a sign against an unfaithful couple, but a sign against an unfaithful nation. Israel was under a curse and the only way that curse could be removed was if God would bear the curse for them. We'll come back to that!

But blessings to a spiritually barren nation? How could God do that? Why would God do that? The parallel continues. How could a barren couple (verse 7) "advanced in years" have a child? The only answer: Hope in the God of the impossible!

Experience The Angel (verses 7-12)

God now breaks into human history, as we move to the second point, in the form of an angel.

Verse 8 tells us that Zacharias was "performing his priestly service." The way it worked was that each priestly division would serve one week, two times each year. It was an honor to represent the people before God at the temple. Yet the honor would only intensify as Zacharias was specifically chosen by lot, verse 9, to actually enter the temple. Specifically he would enter the Holy Place and burn incense. It was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you were only permitted to do it once-in-a-lifetime!

While the priest was inside offering incense, symbolic in the Bible of prayer, verse 10 says the people were outside (probably in the Court of Israel) in prayer themselves. And this is a theme that runs through Luke and Acts. When God's people pray, God does His most amazing work!

So there is Zacharias. Alone in the Holy Place. In many ways with respect to God's holiness, a terrifying place to be. To his right was he Table of Showbread. To his left was the Golden Lampstand. In front of him was the Horned Altar of Incense. And beyond that, one room over, separated only by a curtain, was the venerated Holy of Holies, the Most Holy Place.

Suddenly, verse 11 tells us that, "An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense." Soon we'll learn that the angel's name is Gabriel, one of only two good angels mentioned by name in the entire Bible. You can imagine the shock. The angel is prepared to deliver a message from God. And verse 12 says, "Zacharias was troubled." The text says, "Fear gripped him." This is the repeated response throughout the Bible when someone truly encounters the awesome and terrifying sight of an angel.

Just as Gabriel appeared to Daniel some 500 years ago when he was in spiritual service regarding the future of the Messianic times, now Gabriel appears again to declare that those appointed and long-awaited times had finally arrived. God is not in a rush! Again, things happen when God's people serve and God's people pray!

Explanation Of The Child (verses 13-17)

As we move to the third point, we see that the angel begins to speak. The first words out of his mouth are recorded in verse 13. It's often the first words spoken by Jesus as well. "Do not be afraid, Zacharias."

So contrary to what should be our natural response. It's a shame that it takes standing few feet from the Holy of Holies and seeing an angel perhaps an arm's distance from your face to bring about this reaction. The things unbelievers say and do, the things I say and do that I know at times gives the indication that I really do not fear God.

Zacharias was given a spectacular display regarding the awesomeness of God and how ferocious this divine Being truly is. Yet the angel reassures the man that God is gracious to those who love Him. That those redeemed by the blood of Christ, proven by their healthy fear of God, can stand in His presence and (like in this case) not fear His condemnation.

The angel continues, "For your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John."

I have to believe Zacharias was making intercession for the nation, possibly praying for a deliverer of Israel, but it also seems that he was previously or even then praying that God would bless both he and Elizabeth with a child. Gabriel announces that that prayer had been answered. His barren wife will have a child, but I believe that was only symbolic of the greater answer to prayer - a spiritually barren nation will have a Child. The ultimate answer to his prayer is that Christ will be born. The Messiah is coming! The name is already predetermined meaning "God is gracious." Verse 14, the child will bring "joy and gladness" to the couple and the nation will "rejoice at his birth." These are hallmarks of the Messianic Kingdom.

As for John, verse 15 and following, "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord [Jesus conformed that - Lk. 7:28]; and he will drink no wine or liquor [probably a Nazarite Vow], and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb [similar to the prophet Jeremiah].

And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.

It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah [bold, uncompromising stance toward God's Word, call to repentance], to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children [how sad is that?], and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Lk. 1:15-17).

And that will be John's ultimate purpose. The man known as "John the Baptist" will be a forerunner to prepare the way by proclaiming that people should be what God created them to be, imitators of God's holy character, in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.

Extraordinary Consequences (verses 18-23)

All, as we move to the fourth point, all appears to be building to an extraordinary conclusion, but rather we observe an extraordinary consequence.

You're fist-pumping through this entire narrative and then the air is suddenly released from your balloon when Zacharias, for the first time, opens his mouth. His words are recorded in verse 18. "Zacharias said to the angel, 'How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.'" We call this unbelief. It's perhaps one of the sharpest daggers that severs the cords we have tethered to hope.

Always inexcusable when it comes to God's Word, but how much more in this situation? From a man who was described as righteous, a priest by occupation and clearly well-acquainted with God's miraculous intervention throughout Israel's history, specifically granting conception to barren women. From a location most identified with the immediate presence of God. From a time when God was sought in prayer. Why ask if you don't believe God is desirous and able to answer? And from an individual undoubtedly confronted with an angelic being. There are not too many excuses for his unbelief!

Belief! For Israel it was the difference between entering the Promised Land or wandering for 40 years in the desert. Belief! Indispensable, essential, necessary. Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Belief! Directly tied to our trust in God and His faithfulness to always do what He desires. You can see why God is deeply offended at unbelief.

The consequences to Zacharias are swift and severe. Verses 19 and 20, "The angel answered and said to him, 'I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.'"

A couple contrasting observations: One, notice the "I" statements from Zacharias. Zacharias says, "How will I know this for certain?" How often do we make it about ourselves? My will, my expectations, my pleasure, my reputation? What a contrast to Gabriel's "I" statements - all God-centered. "I am Gabriel" (his name means, "Strong man of God"). "[I] stand in the presence of God." "I have been sent [by God] to speak to you." My translation: "I came to you with 'good news' from God and you have the audacity to question it and make this about yourself? Who do you think you are?"

Another contrasting observation: Zacharias asks for a sign in verse 18. So in a sense God rebukes the man by granting him a sign. Because his lips responded to the announcement without faith (our words are the visible expression of our faith), his lips wouldn't utter any words until the child would be born. My translation, "If you have nothing good to say regarding that proclamation (an angel appearing and a gracious answer to your prayer), you will not say anything at all.

One more contrast: In verse 18, Zacharias desire to "know…for certain." He wanted everything to be based on intellectual knowledge. My friends, our faith is not blind faith, but there always comes a point when it has to be faith. And even having all the facts does not lead to faith.

God will not lower His majesty by running around and jumping though every hoop and test we throw His way. God is our Creator and through His Word and His creation He has given us all we need to believe upon Him. We have no excuse. Zacharias wanted to "know" (verse 18). The angel in verse 20 rebuked him because he did not "believe."

Let me give you one more: Notice the contrast between the uncertainty, foolishness and indecisiveness of man and the rock-solid plan of God who will accomplish His desire regardless of man's response. That is why we can have hope because our trust rests not in man, but in God.

So the people are waiting outside the temple, verse 21, now realizing that Zacharias has been in there a little too long. That normally was not a good sign. Eventually the man appears and when he does, verse 22 says he was "unable to speak." He couldn't even tell people what he encountered.

Excitement From The Mother (verses 24-25)

Last point. The couple left Jerusalem and went home. Verses 24 and 25, "After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, 'This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men."

Elizabeth believed and rejoiced in the news. Does she, thanks to her mute husband, even know God's divine plans were being shaped in her womb? Does she have any understanding how her son will be great in the sight of the Lord as He will prepare the way for the Messiah? At this point we do not know. But we do know that she embraced God's will.

And this is the message from God to all of us - that He is the God of hope. And that if He can redeem the barren world by removing the curse of sin through the work of His Son, we have to conclude that nothing is too difficult for Him. May God grant us the faith to believe His Word as it is given to us in Scripture. After all, it's indispensable to our salvation. Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life" (Jn. 5:24). May we have the faith to never lose hope!


More in Luke

April 25, 2021

The Final Charge

April 18, 2021

The Primacy of Scripture To See and Serve Jesus

April 11, 2021

Hope To Overcome Despair