Zechariah is a godly man, blameless in the sight of God.
Unlike so many husbands in Scripture,
he had not taken another wife when Elizabeth was barren.
Only once a year did the high priest go into the Temple,
and Zechariah did not expect to see an angel.
But he did.
Philip Yancey says that angels never say, “Hi.”
They always say, “FEAR NOT!”
For even Gabriel, the angel of good news,
brought fear with His appearing.
He reassures Zechariah:
How many years had it been
since Elizabeth and Zechariah had given up praying for a child?
This was too much.
Unlike Mary, Zechariah doubts, asks for a sign.
Gabriel’s answer is swift and severe.
The consequences are high, as we will see.
Last week we had a good discussion about the difference
between punishment (to make you pay for your sin)
and discipline (to turn you into a great heart.)
God seems to put his best vessels through the hottest fires.
How will Zechariah respond to the discipline of the Lord?
WITH TRUE REPENTANCE.
This is the father of John the Baptist.
John the Baptist who was sent to prepare the way for the Lord,
calling people to TRUE REPENTANCE.
When the Pharisees came, wanting the respectability of John’s baptism,
John shouted:
“Who warned you of the wrath to come?
Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.”
This is what his father, Zechariah, had done,
and this is what we must learn to practice so we
do not quench HIs Spirit
and become great hearts.
What is the difference between atonement, and bearing fruit worthy of repentance? Atonement implies you must pay a price for your sin, whereas bearing fruit worthy of repentance shows you know the price has been paid, and out of gratitude, you want to respond to the Lord’s loving discipline.
You may remember the book/movie Atonement. The younger sister had told a lie that had ruined her older sister’s relationship with one she loved deeply. So the sister spent her life trying to make atonement for the damage she had done.
Likewise, I recently watched one of the better out of a very bad barrel of Hallmark Christmas movies called “Saint Maybe.”
Again, a younger brother has sinned against his older sibling. I won’t give away the plot-line should you want to watch, but the younger brother goes to “The Church of Second Chances” and asks for forgiveness, but the pastor told him it is not enough to say he is sorry. (John the Baptist would agree.) But he tells him he must make atonement by doing something very hard. Indeed, God may have called him to bear fruit worthy of repentance by doing this particular hard thing, but no one can ever pay for his own sin. Only one without sin could do that, and He did it.
When we trust what Christ did at the cross, we are fully forgiven, cleansed as white as snow, and beautiful in His eyes. Atonement has been made in full. So what are we called to do?
We are called to respond quickly to sin with confession and TRUE REPENTANCE.
A failure to bear fruit does not cause us to lose our salvation, but it does quench His Spirit, hurts our fellowship with Him, and hardens our hearts. Let us consider, with Zechariah as our model, what it means to bear fruit worthy of repentance. For in doing this, God will restore the joy of our salvation, and sinners will come to Him. (Ps. 51) And what an Advent this will be!
Sunday:
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
It isn’t easy to bear fruit worthy of repentance, because it means saying no to our idols the next time they call — and that always involves initial pain. But we are believing a lie to think our idols are our friends. Women released from prison often hear the siren call of drugs to return to them, but we have emphasized “play the whole tape through.” Indeed, those sirens, if believed, will cause their ship to crash.
2. In the same way, think about your siren call and then be ready to “play the whole tape through.” What will you say to your soul?
Monday:
3.Read Luke 1:5-7.
A. What do you learn about Zechariah?
B. Christy posted this about this passage — would love your reflections on her reflection and also, to consider what hard thing in your life that was not your fault could be a platform for God.
Barrenness is not a curse, just as singleness is not a curse for me – a woman now in her 50’s. God can work miracles within any circumstance. Barrenness for Elizabeth and Zechariah was the avenue that God chose to bring into the world the Forerunner of Christ Jesus. He chose this path because there could be no other explanation other than it being an act directly poured out of the hand of God. So…Elizabeth’s barrenness was not a curse —it was not a reflection of how blameless and worthy they were of receiving God’s blessing of children… it was the PLATFORM in which God used to bring about one of his greatest miracles. It was HIS WAY of preparing the world for its Savior…..and it was the way of preparing Elizabeth for becoming the mentor Mary was going to need…and soon!
Tuesday
4. Be alert today to bear fruit worthy of repentance and share what happens.
5. Read Luke 1:8-17.
A. What is the sacredness of the setting and why? (verses 8-10)
B. How did Zechariah respond to the sight of Gabriel? (verses 11-12)
C. What was God’s plan for Zechariah’s son? List whatever you find and anything new you see.
6. Read Luke 1:18 and describe Zechariah’s response. Contrast it with what Elizabeth told Mary in Luke 1:46.
7. In what area do you need your faith strengthened in order to resist the siren call of your idols?
Wednesday:
8. How is Zechariah to be disclplined according to Luke 1:19-20? How hard do you think this would have been and why?
9. What happened when he came out of the temple according to Luke 1:21-23?
Here is a Children’s Version of this account. I think it is pretty good — but you see what you think:
10. Thoughts on the above?
Thursday:
11. Read Luke 1:57-66
A. What was the disagreement about in 57 to 61? Why, do you think?
B. How does Zechariah show his faith and the fruit of repentance in verse 62- 63?
C. Reading between the lines, how can you see that Zechariah was deaf as well as mute?
D. How can you see that he and his wife had still communicated?
E. Why do you think his tongue was unleashed at this moment?
F. What was the impact on the crowd?
12. What did Zechariah need to repent of? How do you see the fruit of repentance?
Friday: David’s Repentance after Sexual Abuse and Murder
13. Read Psalm 51:7-17
A. How does this prayer show a real desire for a changed life?
B. What does God want according to verse 17?
C. What will happen when we truly bear fruit of repentance (verses 12-15)
14. Have you been able to bear fruit worthy of repentance that you can share? Have you experienced some of what David says will happen? If so, share!
Saturday:
15. What is your take-a-way and why?
Tomorrow:
110 comments
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
Everything stands out and I haven’t even read past question 1! I started highlighting every sentence. The costs of Zechariah’s doubt–OH.
Both the beauty and the the pain of true repentance. I think we tend towards trying to “attone” because it’s easier–to try to do good works, be dutiful, to think I can have som part in making things “better”, the old self-righteousness lie. I’ve been thinking lately how hard it is for me to receive, I prefer to be the giver–and yet my heart knows that’s not as noble as I’d like it to sound.It’s hard to be indebted to someone,but that is our identity as children of God. Recipients of His mercy and grace, and there is no ability or need of repayment.
True repentance requires that brokenness, the deep realization of the ugliness of my sin, and acknowledging I need a Savior. It’s stopping my pattern of explaining it away or blaming it on a circumstance, like my “full plate” or stress. It’s owning my sin, seeing my depravity for what it is–hurtful to God and ugly. Nature reminds us of the need to die before fruit can come. It’s hard to die to my old idols, but I want fruit. I do not want to quench the Spirit, I long for Him to replace every part of my heart that tends towards hardening, and give me a great heart.
Lizzy, this is so good:
“Nature reminds us of the need to die before fruit can come.”
Lizzy — so identify. Amazing how strong our religious default mode is. You are a great heart but I love how terribly teachable you still are. We all learn from you!
A. What do you learn about Zechariah?
He was a priest of the division of Abijah, married to Elizabeth. He was a righteous man who walked “blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord”. They had no children.
B. Christy posted this about this passage — would love your reflections on her reflection and also, to consider what hard thing in your life that was not your fault could be a platform for God.
Yesterday, I met with a girl whom I’d never met but my pastor had given her my name. She is in the midst of infertility struggles and just beginning to consider adoption. As we talked, she commented that I seemed so at peace with how God knit our family. That thought spurred a wave of memories–the Mother’s Days I skipped because I could bear another church service centered on motherhood and eyes full of pity. But I was then more aware than ever, how much I really, really love my story. How I wouldn’t change one thing about how God gave me my children. And how I have seen more of His power, His hand in the details of my life, than I might have without this trial. (ok, just edited a lot because the story is too long for here!), but I do smile, when I look at where I was 15 years ago at this idea of God’s, and where He has taken me today.This Christmas has already been the most precious I can remember–hearing Philip so enthralled with baby Jesus, so excited about our advent devotions each night and putting the advent charms on the tree. Oh the generosity of our God, He really does love to give good gifts to us.
Oh Lizzy. I’m keeping this.
Lizzy, what a wonderful story God has written. Great reminder to me of His faithfulness & that His ways are so much higher & better than ours!! 🙂
Lizzy-love love this!
I love your (God’s) story, too, Lizzie!
1. What stands out?
The pain in repentance. The death (of pride) in repentance. The life (in being broken) in repentance. Reminded again of God’s up-side-down economy. That the way up, is down. That life comes out of death. That the avoidance of pain can keep me from owning my sin. I watched the movie Amazing Grace again this week. This scene where the older former slave-trader, John Newton, painfully confesses his sin to William Wilberforce is so deeply moving. He says that he knows two things: “That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior.” He speaks his confession and has written it all down and then proclaims that he wants God to use it to bring about historical change. The horror of his sin is met in the deep mercy of God. Here is that 2 min. clip if you haven’t seen this movie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uss1TwBeB7I
(What is our platform in today’s church for public confession of sin? Do you think it would be (or is) valuable? Do you experience it today in your circle of fellowship? This is something I’ve been thinking of off and on for a long time.)
Loved this, Nila. Thank you so much for posting the movie clip. So appropriate.
Nila, I think it is difficult to confess in front of people. Sometimes I can’t even admit my sin to myself. I guess that’s why Catholics enter a box to confess to the priest? So they feel more comfortable about being able to carry it out? I wouldn’t be able to do it publically, I’m sure.
I certainly feel like I’m experiencing the presence of God this morning. Our church is on Monday nights instead of Sunday mornings, because so many here in this tourist area work all weekend, especially for six months, but again around Christmas. This morning I was asking for illustrations very specifically for “The Jesus Who Surprises” on what it means to “sow our tears,” as I’m doing Psalm 126. Then Lizzy wrote and it was golden. Then I told the Lord, I need an illustration for a man too — perhaps when our tears are due to sin. And then Nila came on with the John Newton story.
Wow. He is real, He is present, He bends down and answers our prayers.
Dee, that is so encouraging & so precious! 🙂
This is a beautiful tapestry of stories knitting the body of Christ as a result of answer to prayer.
Yes, indeed, Bing.
Hi all, I’m still in Boston & leaving for home in Chicago tonight. Its been a good weekend with some ups & downs, But I didn’t get entangled, & the Lord saw mwe through! Had some lovely family moments with my sons & daughter. Thank you for praying!!
What stands out to me is that I must be quick to repent so my heart will not harden, so that I may have a great heart for God & so that I will not quench the Spirit. I would love to have a great heart for God, & lose myself in Him. I know this can be a long & painful process. Lord give me the grace & desire to let You have Your way in me!
What stood out to you?
A godly man…blameless in the sight of God…unlike other husbands… Zechariah-what a guy! And yet he doubted and asked for a sign. Instead of Mary’s how, Zechariah asked will it happen? Unbelief- we all can fall into it and want evidence. Thankfully, we have a gracious God who forgives when we truly repent. May I be quick to repent and not grieve the Holy Spirit.
Zechariah ‘story encourages me as it is reflective of God’s love For imperfect people. He continues to work in and through us in the midst of our doubts, never leaving us until we seeHim clearly for who He is using discipline to give us a great heart like Zechariah.
Oh, how sweet of the Lord to continue to teach Zechariah in his older years. What a mercy that God does not leave us when we foolishly doubt His greatness and love!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
The siren call and the ship crashing on the rocks! Sometimes a word picture together with a visual picture hits where words alone fail. The picture reminded me of those old Greek classics where sailors are lured to their deaths by hearing the call of beautiful women on islands and seem unable to resist their call. Our idols are so like that; yet if we “play the whole tape through” we know we will crash. What lie am I believing that is crashing me on the rocks?
Love that you loved that visual too! Helps me when I’m tempted.
Diane–SO good “What lie am I believing that is crashing me on the rocks?” I let myself be lured yesterday by the idol of control, thinking I had the “right” to respond in frustration because I had first been wronged–but yes, I crashed, and finally came to repentance. And today I can see His grace in allowing us to crash, allowing us to see (however slow I may be to) that our idols never speak truth.
Diane, I agree-that visual is so helpful-so true and then just playing the whole tape through..so helpful when we are tempted.
1. What stood out? I am pondering the ‘fruit of repentance ‘, and what that looks like in my life. My mind goes first to the things I’ve stopped doing. I’m not going to list them, but just to say in these cases the fruit is the current lack of something my life used to show, a negative behavior that is now gone. But I think what you’re asking for is something good that gets added. Is this a two step process perhaps? Stopping doing something wrong and then starting to do something right you hadn’t been doing?
To bear fruit speaks to me of something you can see, hear, or otherwise experience that others could also comment on. It seems to me that to fail bearing the fruit of repentance stunts us in some way, and in the future cripples us.
so if I were called to give up a grudge, it could be the letter to that one telling them how God convicted me, forgave me, and now I am free to pass forgiveness on.
Mary B–I like your thoughts here on bearing fruit: “something you can see, hear, or otherwise experience that others could also comment on”
Makes me think that our fruit is really a blessing for others, and even a way we reflect Christ–that maybe it is not so much something for us to enjoy as it is something He brings out of us, for His glory and for others…just pondering out loud, but I like your thought-direction!
Mary — I agree that often the pattern is to stop the bad and do the good — instead of running to food running to God, instead of lying, telling the truth.
Writing a letter telling someone you forgive them is tricky and I think could backfire. I think if I got a letter from someone telling me they forgave me it would be hard. Maybe that is something we just do without telling the person — I’d love to hear what others think about that. I think it would different if you were the trespasser rather than the one trespassed against. What do you think? Maybe it’s just me and my thin skin! 🙂
Dee, I agree that it would be hard, depending on the heart of the person receiving the letter! I s’pose discernment is needed in each situation?
Yes, Jenny, for sure!
2. What will I say to my soul during the siren call? To play the whole tape through would be a verbal reminder of the futility of continuing to pursue that sin, and what the final outcome would be. That almost seems like a coping skill to me. Yet…. For me, rather than answering the knock of temptation at the door, I am better off heading straight to the truths of Scripture and God’s promises to me. If I can rest on them, it is like sending Scripture to answer the door. Maybe that is only a semantic difference, but it helps me.
Mary B, I love that….”sending Scripture to answer the door “when temptation knocks. I need to do this 🙂
Mary B.-love this as well -sending Scripture to answer the door. That is what I am doing while waiting on God for an answer to prayer regarding my daughter’s job search. Not to pursue the sin of worry that is knocking but to send Scripture to answer the door.
This so perfectly ties in with what our pastor preached this morning: the difference between the offerings of Cain and Abel. Only the blood can truly atone for sin – not the good that I have done, even if they are the most beautiful vegetables (and organic) in all the world. The fruit He desires in our lives is the fruit of the Spirit, so woefully missing from my life, I’m afraid. Love this study of Zacharias.
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
All of it has meaning. The concept and the need of repentance and bearing fruit worthy of repentance. And the powerful meaning of atonement.
“When we trust what Christ did at the cross, we are fully forgiven, cleansed as white as snow, and beautiful in His eyes. Atonement has been made in full.”
I think the enemy of our souls works hard to keep us from believing that we are fully forgiven and beautiful in His eyes.
Also the statement: “A failure to bear fruit does not cause us to lose our salvation, but it does quench His Spirit, hurts our fellowship with Him, and hardens our hearts.” This result of failing to come to Jesus and keep short accounts with Him is an such empty place to be. I fear a hardened heart. It squelches the good in life.
2. In the same way, think about your siren call and then be ready to “play the whole tape through.” What will you say to your soul?
The really effective things to say to my soul come from the Word of God. His Words speak truth and life to my heart.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) [5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
1. What stood out? The scripture of Matthew (3:8), that says, “Repentence doesn’t mean anything if you keep doing what you are sorry for.”
It is one thing to speak the words that you are sorry, and another to do something different.
2. In the same way, think about your siren call and then be ready to “play the whole tape through.” What will you say to your soul?
I’m not quite sure just what you mean by this, but if I had to speak to my soul to get me through, I would say something like, “Remember the last time you gave in to the sin? Was the outcome better or worse?”
3.Read Luke 1:5-7.
A. What do you learn about Zechariah?
I learned that Zechariah was an old priest in Judea during the reign of King Herod, who was married to an old woman named Elizabeth who happened to be from the line of Aaron. Elizabeth couldn’t have children so they had none. He was righteous, following the laws God proclaimed, and of the division called Abijah (this is one of the OT divisions; the original groupings where David split the sons of Aaron into divisions 1 Chronicles 24:10.)
B. Christy posted this about this passage — would love your reflections on her reflection and also, to consider what hard thing in your life that was not your fault could be a platform for God.
Yes, I see the point here. While listening to Nancy Demoss Wolglemuth a few days ago, I was reminded that God can do anything. He is the one who orchestrated Caesar Augustus to declare the decree of the census, and that is how Joseph and Mary ended up having to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem so that the OT prophecy would be fulfilled; that Nesus would be born there.
My own trials? I’m not really sure here. My dad dying when I was young was surely not my fault, but I’m not sure it is/was a platform for God other than insuring my faith (He told me He would be my Father forever the night I saw my dying dad in the hospital – he died the next day).
Good question for our souls from Laura:
“Remember the last time you gave in to the sin? Was the outcome better or worse?”
A. What do you learn about Zechariah?
He was a man of special standing as a priest serving in the Temple. He and his wife Elizabeth were both descendants of Aaron the priestly line. They were godly people who lived lives following all God’s commands. Obviously very committed to the Lord. The were childless and old.
B. Christy posted this about this passage — would love your reflections on her reflection and also, to consider what hard thing in your life that was not your fault could be a platform for God.
I greatly appreciate her observations because she brings quickly into perspective that this is a story about God and for His glory. The platform which God used. We lament so many things that the enemy would use against us which God can turn around for our good.
I again think of our little granddaughter Aerilyn Kate who is four and has spina bifida. She is an absolute bright spot in our lives. Her defective legs and in continence are not what define her for us. And I have felt from the day she was born she is God’s special gift to our family and to our church. We all learn from her strong spirit. I trust her handicap will be a platform that God is using and will use.
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
It all stands out but this popped out this morning: …bearing fruit worthy of repentance shows you know the price has been paid, and out of gratitude, you want to respond to the Lord’s loving discipline. In Zachariah’s case it was doubting God and the result isn’t loss of salvation but loss of fellowship or quenching His Spirit. That stood out to me too for how many times have I doubted God in my circumstances? I forget the price has been paid. He has every right to punish me or condemn me for my sin when I doubt Him but He won’t-ever because He paid the price..when He disciplines me it is to make my heart great. To be thankful for His discipline for He paid the price which melts me to responding in turning and repentance.
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
The theme of repentance vs atonement and the difference between discipline and punishment. I welcome thinking more about these topics…I need to.
“God seems to put his best vessels through the hottest fires.”
This makes me wince a little. I would like to be more sturdy.
This stood out too: We are called to respond quickly to sin with confession and TRUE REPENTANCE. We are called to..He wants us to so the boat doesn’t crash!
2. In the same way, think about your siren call and then be ready to “play the whole tape through.” What will you say to your soul?
That my worth comes from being a chosen, redeemed, adopted, loved part of the family of God, not from how I measure up in the eyes of the world. My hope is secure.
B. Christy posted this about this passage — would love your reflections on her reflection and also, to consider what hard thing in your life that was not your fault could be a platform for God.
My knee jerk reaction to this this morning was ‘I don’t want to talk about this’
Yet I know that my hard thing already has been used, I hope to get to a place react in my spirit more like Mary did…I am your servant.
oh dear Chris, I love you. He has made in you a great heart
Amen to Lizzy’s comment, Chris.
3. Zechariah was a priest in the line of Abijah, and Elizabeth of the line of Aaron.
A bunny trail here. The Bible says that Elizabeth was a relative of Mary’s. So Mary must have had something of the line of Aaron in her. That has always intrigued me, since Jesus is both our King and our High Priest. He is also our Prophet, but many of the priests fulfilled that role.
Christy on barrenness, and it being a platform for God. I think God gives us things throughout our lives He wants us to use to point the world around us to Him. It can either be the presence or the absence of something. Like money, or lack of it. Children or the lack of them. Health or the lack of it. But it seems like the lacking side, the side we see as less desirable, the harder things, that have the potential to speak louder for Him. The world is watching to see how someone who professes God will handle such things. As such, every hard thing is really a gift from Him. Just like James says, we should count it a joy that He has handed us such a tool to use for Him. I confess that too often I am so focused on me and how I feel, that I totally miss the opportunity.
1. What stood out and why?
All of it! 1) the idea of an angel saying “hi.” When I read that phrase, I burst out laughing — without thinking. But as I read and thought more about 2) repentance, I was more aware of God’s holiness. “Hi” doesn’t seem like a message representing the Holy One, especially on this topic. This stands out “God seems to put his best vessels through the hottest fires. How will Zechariah respond to the discipline of the Lord? WITH TRUE REPENTANCE.” and this “Atonement implies you must pay a price for your sin, whereas bearing fruit worthy of repentance shows you know the price has been paid, and out of gratitude, you want to respond to the Lord’s loving discipline.”
Responding to the Lord’s loving discipline: thinking about this in an area in my life now, which seems to have resurfaced after 25+ years. Pondering this in terms of repentance. When I think about the news (all the sexual misconduct), I see a variety of responses, ranging from acknowledgment of some of wrongs to what appears to be denial, even lying to oneself. Maybe the only way to respond without repentance and forgiveness long term is to hide/pretend and eventually lie to oneself to the extent that a new “reality” is created. I don’t want to live in a lie, an alternative reality because I am carrying around the weight of sin for which the penalty already has been paid
Will likely be gone much of this week — without computer. If that’s the case, I won’t be posting much but will be doing the study…
I think that’s so true, Renee, that if we don’t repent we create a new reality in our minds so we can live with ourselves. I think that happens to women who have abortions as well, and to turn it on myself, I lived with a false reality for a long time in how I was dealing with my administrative assistants, thinking sideways comments were kinder.
Oh, Dee! I am the Queen of the ‘sideways comments!’ The ‘Queen of Irony!’ God is so working on my heart! I had forgotten about your testimony of something similar. Thank you for sharing to encourage people like me.
Reflection on Christy’s post… “Elizabeth’s barrenness was not a curse —it was not a reflection of how blameless and worthy they were of receiving God’s blessing of children… it was the PLATFORM in which God used to bring about one of his greatest miracles.”
I’ve been thinking about how little of the “big picture” that we see, how what feels like punishment is discipline, but not necessarily for a specific sin. He is preparing us. My sight is so limited… I forget that He not only is preparing me to bear fruit for Him here in this life, but He is preparing me for life with Him and all believers from all time for ETERNITY. And it’s because of LOVE.
That’s what makes it possible for stubborn me to submit to His discipline, even facing painful stuff. I can see that taking away someone’s speech for several months would be very effective discipline for the right people. A couple weeks wouldn’t be long enough for me!
What stands out to you from above?
Unlike Mary, Zechariah doubts, asks for a sign.
Of the two, my money would have been on Zechariah to believe and not doubt—-based on his description in the Bible. The choice to believe came to both of them in similar ways. I also thought that Zechariah might have had Gideon on his mind and thought that asking for a sign wasn’t such a bad idea. But there’s an urgency in God’s interactions with these people on the cusp of the OT and the NT. God’s new work, the most spectacular one of all, is being revealed. Immanuel obliterates the old “sign” systems.
I also think what the story might have been like without Zechariah’s doubt and enforced muteness. I think God’s glory is definitely greater for His holiness and subsequent power over Zechariah’s physical body followed by His undefeated, faithful love and goodness to Z.
Monday:
3.Read Luke 1:5-7.
A. What do you learn about Zechariah?
As above, Z. was upright in the sight of God….observing all the commands and regulations blamelessly. He probably did resemble those Pharisees, at least from an external viewpoint.
B. Christy posted this about this passage — would love your reflections on her reflection and also, to consider what hard thing in your life that was not your fault could be a platform for God.
Christy’s words resonate with the stories we’ve been reading and with Who God is. I think it’s true that the world is watching for real faith in the midst of pain. Choosing to trust when it hurts is a mighty testimony of hope. But I think God is watching me too, waiting to see if I’ll really take Him at His word or not. He wants to use our lives to speak to His dearly loved children who are not fully His yet. But He also wants me to respond in faith because, amazingly, my heart is where some of His greatest work is done–He’s fully invested in my faith/doubt dichotomy. I think His use of my circumstances to bless/encourage others is secondary to His passionate work of intimacy with me. It’s not always easy to see that in Bible characters whose lives can sometimes appear superficial and incomplete.
Karen, all I can say is Wow! Your last paragraph really spoke to me. “Amazingly, my heart is where some of His greatest work is done….His passionate work of intimacy with me.” But it is that very work that reaches out to touch the world. Just like Jesus’ intimacy with the Father reached out through the resurrection to all of us. The wonder of God’s working with us!!
4. Be alert today to bear fruit worthy of repentance and share what happens.
Ok, I’m a day early but going to post anyway while I have the time, and because I need the accountability of repenting “out loud” here. The timing of this week’s post is just…well, evidence of His patience and kindness towards me. I have been slow to repent of a pattern of sin in my life and it was bluntly revealed to me Saturday morning. But it took me until late yesterday, after pondering this post a while, to really take true steps of repentance. Today, I have felt a freedom from that trap, and the feeling it brought has renewed in me a desire to choose the humble path again and again–and He has given me the opportunity many times today! Trying to be brief–but the gist is that I will often respond to a situation where I feel justified to be frustrated (angry), with sideways comments or more direct ones, and then I call it “frustration”, and give all sorts of explanations for why I was justified in being frustrated. Saturday morning a situation like this occurred and I was challenged with these words from the one I had spewed to: ‘when is it just that you need to be able to vent, and when is it your sin that your inflicting on the other person?’ ouch. I have been daily praying for wisdom for my husband the past month. And there it was. When I woke to this post the next morning, my heart was fully exposed, and began to melt, and see how common this pattern is in my life–excusing my “frustration” at others. By last night, I was broken. My thoughts have been flooded with how often I get “frustrated” that things are not going the way I want and I justify it with how full my plate is or how much I do for everyone else. Ick. There is very rarely a just cause to be angry at others. And even if I have been wronged, I don’t have the “right” to respond in sin against them. Today, I feel a lightness–the beginning of a new kind of freedom. I am clinging to this new feeling because I do not want to go the path of excuses anymore. I hate the way I sound as I reflect. I want to choose humility–every time. And just a side note–I pulled out the copy of Powlison’s “Good & Angry” that I had ironically bought for my husband, and I highly recommend it. Especially if you don’t think you struggle with anger!
Praying for you, Lizzy, that the freedom you feel now will take root and become a tree of life to you. And what a blessing to have someone in your life willing to speak truth to you! Love you, sister!
Oh Lizzy — thanks so much for sharing openly and so honestly. Helps us all. Good and Angry sounds like a good read.
Lizzy, I’m absolutely amazed that God is dealing with me this past week on the very same issue. I NEVER saw it as MY sin until this past week – I always felt my constant bitterness and anger was totally justified. Wow! What a revelation! And, I, too, have found a new peace in the humbling of myself and admitting that I was wrong, and have been so for a very long time! God be praised for having mercy even though I sinned for so very long.
Lizzy, I love your playdough heart-how you listen to Him and how He brought you to repentance through that loving person in your life. 🙂
Reflection on Christy’s post: “Elizabeth’s barrenness was not a curse —it was not a reflection of how blameless and worthy they were of receiving God’s blessing of children… it was the PLATFORM in which God used to bring about one of his greatest miracles.”
One of my favorite songs that I used to sing in the Philippines is “Ordinary People”. When I came to the U.S., it was a song of encouragement for me as I try to find my little corner of influence in a world and culture that I never envisioned myself to be a part of. The first years were hard and I struggled with fitting in while maintaining my Filipino heritage. I felt so “ordinary” and would ask myself, what can I give to this people who have it all? Smile here. As the years went by, through the grace of God and the love of so many people, I find that my “unique ordinary”, that is if there is such a thing is the platform that God is using to make me His instrument of reconciliation in the exact places where He has placed me. What I considered my handicaps (curse), He has used to give (bless) me my sweet spot as part of His story.
Just ordinary peopleGod uses ordinary peopleHe chooses people just like me and youWho are willing to do as He commandsGod uses people that will give Him allNo matter how small your all may seem to youBecause little becomes muchAs you place it in the Masters hand. Mom Winans
5. A. The sacredness of the setting….someone at church shared recently that there were thousands of priests, and it was not a guarantee that you would ever get to have this duty/privilege, or maybe only once in a lifetime. This place where Zechariah was, this sacred place, was not public, but private with the Lord.
I think about when I am in prayer, just me and the Lord. No matter what all I am praying about, it is a private place, just me and Him. And I have this duty/privilege as often as I will take it. Like Karen was talking about, the place of intimacy with God. What an immense gift!
C. Anything new? Combined with what we know of John the Baptist later, I wonder how different he was as a child. Whether he was easy or hard to raise. How long Zechariah and Elizabeth lived after his birth. The Bible doesn’t tell us. We never see him serving at the temple, or acting like the priests we read about in connection with Jesus. We know he lived quite differently than most. He ate locusts and wild honey, wore camels’ hair garments and lived in the wilderness. I’ve wondered if he perhaps was autistic. He didn’t look or act like other people. Yet his life helped fulfill prophesy, and Jesus said he was great in the eyes of heaven. How easy it is for me to value ‘fitting in’, while God may want to have me stand out!
Loved your reflection about our privilege to be alone with the Lord, Mary.
5. Read Luke 1:8-17.
A. What is the sacredness of the setting and why? (verses 8-10)
I did some reading to remind myself of the particulars of this ceremony that Zechariah was performing. For one thing this was a one-time event in the life of the priest who was selected and that was done by casting lots which meant God decided who would bring in the incense and represent the people. So the timing of this happening to Zechariah late in his life was very much in God’s control and sovereignty. Incense represented the prayers of God’s people. Also it is not without significance the fact that “the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense”.
B. How did Zechariah respond to the sight of Gabriel? (verses 11-12)
Zechariah was afraid which was the response of most people in the bible when they encountered angels sent by God. Gabriel was Gods representative. It is a fearful thing to stand in or near the presence of holiness.
C. What was God’s plan for Zechariah’s son? List whatever you find and anything new you see.
His name would be John. Which was a break from the tradition of naming the first born son after his father.
His birth would bring joy and gladness and great rejoicing to many.
He would be great before the Lord. His life would be marked by godly ways.
He was not to drink wine or strong drink, and he would be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. In that time before Christ died for sin and opened the way for all believers to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit He only came into people lives by a special anointing from God.
It was God’s plan for John to turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God through his ministry. God would go before him “in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared”. God gave John the special ministry of drawing out a group of believers who would embrace Jesus as their Savior when He came.
4. Be alert today to bear fruit worthy of repentance and share what happens.
I don’t understand this statement. I am to sin so I can repent? Or is it just to recognize where I sin already and repent?
🙂 Definitely the latter. The closer we get to the Light, the more we see the sin that we could not see before.
Today’s verse of the day:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 ESV
http://bible.com/59/1jn.1.9.esv
6. Both Zechariah and Mary ask how, but by Gabriel’s response, we know that Zechariah’s question was in unbelief while Mary’s was only to clarify. I think Zechariah’s response was actually rather dismissive, like saying ‘yeah, right, and how is this supposed to happen?’
7. How does my faith need to be strengthened to resist the siren call of idols? I wish I had a better understanding of the end product of obedience. I doubt, in my case, that it is to be thin. I know I am disobedient when I eat too much, and obedient when I rely on Him to satisfy my cravings. But what does that obedience gain me as a platform for Him? Or is it merely in the process that there is a platform?
Good questions, Mary. I do think the sense of His presence is the best fruit, for when He sees us in the arms of another lover he shys away. Being healthy and thinner is a wonderful blessing, and it is a testimony — a platform, when asked how you did it. But mostly, obedience, which is a form of abiding, leads to all the fruit of the Spirit, and people are drawn to the Jesus in you.
5. Read Luke 1:8-17.
A. What is the sacredness of the setting and why? (verses 8-10)
The people were around the temple and Zechariah was chosen to be inside burning the incense and praying with God.
B. How did Zechariah respond to the sight of Gabriel? (verses 11-12) hmyyo
He was afraid!
C. What was God’s plan for Zechariah’s son? List whatever you find and anything new you see.
The child should be called John, people (many) would rejoice at his birth, he would be great before the Lord, he must not drink wine or strong drink, but instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit. He would turn many Israelites back to God. He would proclaim God’s arrival and soften the hearts of parents to their children (wonder why this is here?). He will change skeptics minds and make them devout. He will make sure the people of God are ready for His coming.
5. Read Luke 1:8-17.
A. What is the sacredness of the setting and why? (verses 8-10)
Burning of incense by the priest, Zechariah-once a year-what a privilege-sovereignly brought about at this very time.
B. How did Zechariah respond to the sight of Gabriel? (verses 11-12)
He was startled and gripped with fear.
C. What was God’s plan for Zechariah’s son? List whatever you find and anything new you see.
He will be a delight and joy to Zechariah
He will bring joy to many because of his birth
He will not drink any wine or fermented drink
He will be filled with the Spirit BEFORE (wow!) he is born
He will go before the Lord
He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children (I don’t get this one, Dee-shouldn’t it be the other way around?) and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous
He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
6. Read Luke 1:18 and describe Zechariah’s response.
He doubted-how can I be sure of this?
Contrast it with what Elizabeth told Mary in Luke 1:46.
Mary magnified the Lord-no more questions asked.
7. In what area do you need your faith strengthened in order to resist the siren call of your idols?
I still struggle with control. I have this tape playing in my mind that if I can just have control over other people’s choices, they would be better off, all will be well and I will not have to deal with it. Yikes-sending Scripture to answer the door-thanks, Mary B.
8. How is Zechariah to be disclplined according to Luke 1:19-20? How hard do you think this would have been and why?
Zechariah was disciplined by not being able to speak until the child was born.
Well, if he was a talker normally then he would be in “pain” not being able to talk. Most likely he wasn’t (because most men aren’t talkers) but it would still be hard. He was a priest though, and I’m assuming he needed to speak while conducting priestly tasks. It would put him in a bad position to not be able to pray aloud, give blessings, and preach.
9. What happened when he came out of the temple according to Luke 1:21-23?
He was accosted as he came out because he had been gone for a very long time. They realized he had seen a vision because he couldn’t speak. He tried to make signs to them to convey what happened, and eventually he was able to leave because his mission was complete.
10. Thoughts on the above?
I thought it was funny that it was called “Superbook!” Also I liked the clay type animation. Gabriel was grand and kinda scary. I thought it was interesting how the temple was beautifully adorned and reminded me of the connection to Judaism because there was a menora there. Zechariah should have had some sort of accent maybe? I liked how Gabriel swooped his wings and disappeared at the end. If I were Zechariah, I would have been stunned and not been able to say a word while he was there!
4. Be alert today to bear fruit worthy of repentance and share what happens.
Years ago I was convicted by this passage from Matthew 6 in the Message:
“Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!”
Yesterday my husband set his dishes down next to the sink. I have expressed to him on many occasions that I would like it if he would put his dishes into the dishwasher. I was busy making a recipe for him to take to a work party today amongst other things I was trying to accomplish. My initial reaction was one of grumbling, the squinty eyed greed came to mind as it so often has since that first time it convicted me.
I know there are many wives whose husbands are gone who would love to be picking up after them once more. I repented of my grumbling and thanked God for sustaining my marriage and changing both of us. My heart re-set.
I want to have my eyes wide with wonder and belief.
Great little story!
A. What is the sacredness of the setting and why? (verses 8-10)
Zechariah was chosen by lot to be the one who actually burned the incense in the temple. Incense was representative of the prayers of the people. It stood out to me that the word incense is repeated 3 times in the passage, also that “the whole multitude of people” were praying outside, not some of the people, but all of them, and not a crowd but a multitude. The presence of the Holy Spirit must have been on the people.
I read this in a commentary:
“There are said to have been twenty thousand priests in Christ’s time, so that no priest would ever offer incense more than once.”
I thought that was pretty cool
C. What was God’s plan for Zechariah’s son? List whatever you find and anything new you see.
His name will be John
His parents would have joy & gladness
Many will rejoice at his birth
He would be great before the Lord
He was not to drink wine or strong drink
He was to be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mothers womb
He would turn many people to the Lord
he would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah
He would turn the hearts of fathers to their children
He would the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just
He would make the people ready for Jesus
I have always loved the ‘turning of the hearts of the fathers to their children’ especially, the Lord sees us, he knows what we need. Can we even imagine how different our world would look if fathers hearts were turned to the Lord and to their children?
8. Zechariah is disciplined by losing his voice until John is born. He could no longer do his duties as priest, couldn’t explain what he had seen in the temple, couldn’t process out loud with Elizabeth…. Speaking for myself as a woman, it would have been like being in solitary confinement! The people also thought him deaf. They didn’t try to communicate with him by writing or by asking yes no questions.
10. Child’s version…very accurate and close to scripture. I liked it.
3B. Reflecting on Christy’s insightful comment:
I haven’t considered this before-to think of it this way but it is true! She made me think of other lives in scripture-how God does this over and over. How does this apply to me? I was thinking my boys who have autism-that I can apply this. It definitely isn’t a curse, but a platform. I LOVE how Christy gave examples of what His platform looked like: preparing the world for it’s savior-that the world would see this could only be done by God, and Elizabeth being Mary’s mentor who needed her fast. So while I don’t know how God will use this in my life, I do know He is molding my heart to trusting Him more and helping me in repentance and faith. He has given me much more patience through the years but my desire is that others would be attracted to Him through me-not me.
So I might go out on a limb and say perhaps even with things that are our fault? (I am not saying we should sin though.) 🙂 Like how David’s sin and his turning and repenting showed us he is a man after God’s own heart-that His playdough heart had to have come from God. That was a platform for what God wanted to show us in the Psalms. God shows us what it looks like bearing fruit worthy of repentance through David. In the Psalms and shows us what kind of heart He desires for us-what kind of heart He will give us. I think Lizzy’s recent post of God speaking to her through someone and then how she listened and turned is the kind of Heart David had. I was sharpened by it-thank you Lizzy.
6. Read Luke 1:18 and describe Zechariah’s response. Contrast it with what Elizabeth told Mary in Luke 1:46.
Zechariah couldn’t believe what Gabriel had just told him asking How can I know this is true?.
But in fairness to Zechariah this news had just come to him out of the blue. Where Mary by the time she saw Elizabeth had time to process her news and was responding to Elizabeth’s Spirit filled greeting with praise to God.
7. In what area do you need your faith strengthened in order to resist the siren call of your idols?
I’m going to have to think on this. My mind tends to go to trite answers and this is a deep personal question. But I know God is faithful to me in spite of me.
Wednesday
8. How is Zechariah to be disclplined according to Luke 1:19-20? How hard do you think this would have been and why?
I see Zechariah as questioning whether what Gabriel was telling him could be true or not. Gabriel rebuked him by saying basically I just came from the very presence of God with this message. Zechariah failed initially to believe the truth of the message. It challenges me to consider how I respond to God’s written Word which is truth and the times I fail to believe and act on it. As a result of unbelief Zechariah would not be able to speak for over 9 months. Almost a years time. Not being able to communicate verbally would have been a very hard thing in his day. No easy tools or technology to use. Not even simple notepads or pencils. Hand gestures were his only resource.
9. What happened when he came out of the temple according to Luke 1:21-23?
His being slow to come out of the temple caused the people to begin to worry. When he came out and couldn’t speak to them they knew he had seen something special in his time there. He could only try to use hand signs to explain. I find it interesting he finished the responsibilities of his time of service in the Temple and then went home.
10. Thoughts on the above?
I think it is well done and very clear in it’s presentation. Gives a good sense of the interaction between Gabriel and Zechariah.
Wednesday:
8. How is Zechariah to be disclplined according to Luke 1:19-20? How hard do you think this would have been and why?
“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.” This would have been pretty hard because of a compelling desire to talk about what he had just seen and also what was promised to him. He would have wanted to search the scriptures for God’s promises and discuss how his life fits into them with other men of God.
9. What happened when he came out of the temple according to Luke 1:21-23?
“He was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.”
Here is a Children’s Version of this account. I think it is pretty good — but you see what you think:
Watched it with my 8 yr old son. We both liked it. My son said, “That angel’s pretty angry.” I agree. But it was a straightforward adaptation—fun to watch!
Good to get an 8 year old’s reaction!
13. Psalm 51:7-17
A. Proof of a real desire for a changed life? David continually asks for a different attitude. He doesn’t say he is sorry that he got caught, but that he is sorry he acted contrary to God’s character. He agreed with God that it was wrong. I find it very easy to be lazy about repentance. Some of it is weariness of sin, period. Feeling like I’ll be in the same place tomorrow, all over again. If I could change one thing in the church, it would be for more openness to confront one another and choose to be accountable to each other. Having someone you have to give account to and that would be there for you in the thick of it sounds so good to me.
On on a totally new thought, wanted to share this poem from Jan Richardson that I ran across today.
Blessed are you who Bear the Light
blessed are you who bear the light in unbearable times,
who testify to its endurance amid the unendurable,
who bear witness to its persistence
when everything seems in shadow and grief.
blessed are you in whom the light lives,
in whom the brightness blazes….
your heart a chapel, an altar where
in the deepest night can be seen the fire that
shines forth in you in unaccountable faith
in stubborn hope that illumines
every broken thing it finds.
Mary B, I love the poem by Jan Richardson. It gives me hope that, perhaps, His light is still shining in me for others even when I am not aware of it in my brokenness.
As to your desire for Christians to have “more openness to confront one another and choose to be accountable to each other. Having someone you have to give account to and that would be there for you in the thick of it”, it sounds good and is biblical. But, if I might give a word of caution. In this fallen world and even in the church, it is a difficult thing, requiring a vulnerability that is very difficult. God designed us for intimacy; but our culture tells us to take the easy road.
I have a friend like that, who cares enough to confront, but sometimes it is a hard word she speaks that I do not desire to hear. Most of us, me included do not want to hear the deep but nasty truths about ourselves. Most relationships will not survive it. Our culture tells us to walk away from those who do not make us feel good about ourselves.
Mary, Good thoughts and a genuine desire on your part for something good in desiring accountability. But I agree with Mary that caution is wise in this area of confronting. I have experienced some very hard stuff in this regard. In a situation where I called for accountability from a very longterm Christian friend to being put on the hotseat by some who had no clear understanding of my circumstances. As Diane says it is biblical but there has to be much prayer and caution before entering into those things. There is an ideal for all of the Christian life but because of the sin and brokeness of this old World it won’t be experienced in it’s fullness until Christ returns and makes all things new. By comparison we just get snippets of it here now and then. That feeds our hope of Heaven.
Mary B, I’m still pondering why as Christians we hide our brokenness and do not do accountability well. I read this article and thought I would pass it on. It might need a little background if you do not know a bit of Tullian’s story. Tullian is a well-known pastor who was caught in adultery and is now repentant and beginning to serve in the church again. I believe he has a message we need to hear. (I am not fully cognizant of all the details of Tullian’s story, because I am watching it only online, however.) He led a Christmas service this year called “Broken Christmas” for those who are struggling at Christmas. This article, however, is written by a friend of his, but is on his website.
https://www.tullian.net/articles/a-disease-that-i-dont-have-the-courage-to-name
Diane, thank you for the link. I read the articles, and am pondering them. It is especially relevant to me because our youth pastor just stepped down over an ‘inappropriate emotional and physical but not sexual relationship ‘. I love him and would like to see him restored, but I know also that restoration is a process. Maybe much like life in Christ. I’ve heard it said that Christians are like porcupines. It is really hard to get close to one another. I understand Bev’s cautions, because truly speaking truth in love is rare. And you are right. People often speak without knowing much of anything of the whole story. I have been guilty of that. And yet I long for the depth of relationship that loves too much to look the other way, and that is willing to be just as vulnerable in return. The question is whether we can experience this here and now. We won’t need it on the other side.
Mary B., I understand the longing of your heart in regard to intimacy within the church. I feel it too. And many of the rest of us have expressed a similar desire here on this blog. I will pray specifically for you to find someone to whom you can confide.
Also, some of us on this blog have become “friends” (mentors, encouragers, etc.) through this blog via sharing concerns, emails, prayer requests, etc. Are you connected to us on our Facebook page? If not, you can send me your email address and I can add you. It is an imperfect system but helps us share prayer requests and so on.
Diane, I am on the Facebook page. And I am finding the blog to be closer than most of my spiritual connections at church, and am so grateful for it. Thank you for pondering with me!
11. Read Luke 1:57-66
A. What was the disagreement about in 57 to 61? Why, do you think?
The disagreement was over what to name the child. Disagreements about naming children are pretty common in families. I know some young women who don’t reveal the name until the child is born. This is because they don’t want any family member critiquing the name that they are giving the child. We always tried to name our kids one family name and then one other well liked name. These family members must of been fairly confused, because I bet it was common practice back in those days to only use family names.
B. How does Zechariah show his faith and the fruit of repentance in verse 62- 63?
He quickly offers of the name John by writing it on a tablet.
C. Reading between the lines, how can you see that Zechariah was deaf as well as mute?
I’m thinking he was unaware of the conversations that were actually going on about this very topic. They had to make signs to get his attention.
D. How can you see that he and his wife had still communicated?
Elizabeth went along with the naming even though it was not the conventional thing to do.
E. Why do you think his tongue was unleashed at this moment?
I think God wanted everyone to see that he was in control in the situation. That’s why he opened his mouth at this particular time.
F. What was the impact on the crowd?
The crowd was afraid. They spoke of it all throughout the land in fact. They were wondering just what the child would be used for by God.
12. What did Zechariah need to repent of? How do you see the fruit of repentance?
He needed to repent of his lack of faith. I guess the fruit of repentance was his total faith at the end? Not sure here.
11. Read Luke 1:57-66
A. What was the disagreement about in 57 to 61? Why, do you think?
The friends and relatives came to circumcise the baby on the eighth day as was the Jewish custom and assumed he would be named Zechariah after his father. But Elizabeth told them no, his name was to be John. They made the point that she was breaking with tradition because John wasn’t a family name.
I think about the names we have personally that are family names and the names of our children that are family or friends names. They have special ties and meaning. And often for family members there is an honor in having your name used again for a new baby. Sometimes names that come out of the blue or are construed have a foreign feeling about them. God was truly setting John apart from others even before he was born.
B. How does Zechariah show his faith and the fruit of repentance in verse 62- 63?
I realize now when I made comments the other day about Zechariah and Elizabeth not being able to communicate with one another not even with a note pad and pencil I was wrong. I had forgotten in this account of the story that Zechariah asked for a writing tablet.
When they questioned Zechariah he stood firm with what he had been told by Gabriel and asked for a writing tablet making it clear “His name is John “. He was exercising his faith by carrying out those instructions in spite of tradition and family pressure. Repentance is demonstrated by action.
C. Reading between the lines, how can you see that Zechariah was deaf as well as mute?
In verse 62 it says they made signs to him instead of verbally asking which could possibly indicate he was mute. But verse 64 only says his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed and he spoke. No comment he had hearing restored so I’m not sure. And back at the pronouncement Gabriel only says he will be unable to speak. It would seem to me he would have said it as well if his hearing was stopped. Making signs to Zechariah may very well mean that he couldn’t hear.
D. How can you see that he and his wife had still communicated?
Elizabeth knew clearly the baby was to be named John so it is apparent they had written communication with each other for her to have that information. Because of their status I would expect Elizabeth to have been literate.
E. Why do you think his tongue was unleashed at this moment?
Because Gabriel told Zechariah he would be silent and unable to speak until the day these things had taken place. And at this time when Zechariah affirmed and testified by his action all that Gabriel had said it was accomplished. Also I think God was showing Himself sovereign and very present to the larger group bringing glory to Himself.
F. What was the impact on the crowd?
They were in awe and wonder of the things that had happened to Zechariah and Elizabeth. It was a powerful testimony of God at work in their lives. People were aware there was going to be something special about this child John.
12. What did Zechariah need to repent of? How do you see the fruit of repentance?
He repented of his doubt and unbelief of the message God had sent to him by Gabriel. But he stood firm with what God had instructed him to do and demonstrated his faith by naming the baby John and then when God opened his mouth to let him speak he gave a strong testimony of praise to God.
Blessing and restoration always come as a fruit of repentance.
It makes things right again.
8. How is Zechariah to be disciplined according to Luke 1:19-20? How hard do you think this would have been and why?
Not be able to speak. Not sure how I would be able to communicate to anybody and for such a long time 9 months and 8 days!
9. What happened when he came out of the temple according to Luke 1:21-23?
He couldn’t speak at all. I wondered what else happened after this visitation since the verse said he stayed there too long?
Here is a Children’s Version of this account. I think it is pretty good — but you see what you think:
Very true to the Scripture. Zechariah looked really scared. I would be, too.
11. Read Luke 1:57-66
A. What was the disagreement about in 57 to 61? Why, do you think?
The naming of the child. Perhaps, they often named their sons by somebody in the family?
B. How does Zechariah show his faith and the fruit of repentance in verse 62- 63?
He believed what the angel said that their son would be named John.
C. Reading between the lines, how can you see that Zechariah was deaf as well as mute?
The people made signs to him about what they should name the boy instead of just asking Zechariah out loud?
D. How can you see that he and his wife had still communicated?
They both said the boy should be named John so therefore they must have “talked” to each other somehow.
E. Why do you think his tongue was unleashed at this moment?
He confirmed his acceptance of what the angel has said to him by writing down John’s name.
F. What was the impact on the crowd?
They were filled with awe and talked about it.
12. What did Zechariah need to repent of? How do you see the fruit of repentance?
Doubt. His song on verses 68-79 acknowledging all that was said by the angel, Gabriel.
11. Read Luke 1:57-66
A. What was the disagreement about in 57 to 61? Why, do you think?
The community disagreed with Elizabeth about naming her baby John. They came to circumcise and name him Zechariah. Tradition and community norms are important elements of personal and collective identity. They were trying to affirm the baby (and Elizabeth & Zechariah) as belonging within their set of people. It was their way of “sharing her joy.”
B. How does Zechariah show his faith and the fruit of repentance in verse 62- 63?
Z. confirms the baby will be named John. He intentionally contradicts the will of his community to obey God. Repentance is a lonely road.
C. Reading between the lines, how can you see that Zechariah was deaf as well as mute?
“making signs to him” It’s possible that he may have been really hard of hearing because of his old age. But I think God wanted to separate Zechariah for Himself–it was intense heart-rending that required utter dependence. Powerfully focused changes in Zechariah’s heart mandated a severe method.
D. How can you see that he and his wife had still communicated?
Gabriel told Zechariah, not Elizabeth, that the baby was to be named John. Elizabeth was telling everyone at the bris that his name was John–that information had to travel to Elizabeth from Zechariah.
E. Why do you think his tongue was unleashed at this moment?
Fulfillment of scripture. Gabriel’s singular command (except the “do not be afraid” one) to Zechariah was “…you are to give him the name John.” (v13). Then Gabriel later says ” silent…until the day this happens.”(v20). The bris was when Z’s main job was finished.
F. What was the impact on the crowd?
“The neighbors were all filled with awe, and ….people were talking about all these things….everyone….wondered about it.” (v65-66)
12. What did Zechariah need to repent of? How do you see the fruit of repentance?
Selfishness and pride. The fruit of repentance is evident in his humility and obedience. He doesn’t try to explain anything to his neighbors or preach a sermon about all the OT heroes leading up to his own son. He just simply obeys and lets the chips fall where they may. He’s not in charge. Oswald Chambers says, “If I obey Jesus Christ, the redemption of God will flow through me to the lives of others, because behind the deed of obedience is the reality of Almighty God.”
13. Read Psalm 51:7-17
A. How does this prayer show a real desire for a changed life?
Oh my! It is not often that scripture makes me tear up, however this one did! David is in anguish and begging for mercy. It is sweet. I appreciated the NIV version this morning. David is overwhelmed with his sin and is repenting, begging the Lord to forgive him, not forget him; to wash him clean. He says he will rejoice in the name of Lord and teach others the Lords ways.
B. What does God want according to verse 17?
God wants a broken spirit and a contrite heart.
C. What will happen when we truly bear fruit of repentance (verses 12-15)
We will have joy of salvation, we will have a willing spirit. We will also be relieved of our guilt. We will tell others of these occurrences so they may be able to have the same freedoms we have.
14. Have you been able to bear fruit worthy of repentance that you can share? Have you experienced some of what David says will happen? If so, share!
I can honestly say I have accomplished this this week! I have been blessed as David says also. I would rather not say what the sin is (I’m embarrassed), but just know it is one that is consuming me and I need it gone! I have succeeded in keeping it at bay all week and as I said before, I have been free of this idol!
Wonderful! Each day a victory.
8. How is Zechariah to be disclplined according to Luke 1:19-20? How hard do you think this would have been and why?
Because he is a priest and this greatly affects his ministry and closeness with God. He was a righteous man but not perfect and may have had an idol working underneath so God in His great love disciplined him instead of striking him dead. Also, the stigma of a priest being disciplined-This must have been humiliating in front of his peers let alone the deep frustration of not being able to talk.
13. Read Psalm 51:7-17
A. How does this prayer show a real desire for a changed life?
In the early part of this Psalm David clearly acknowledges he has sinned and that only God can take away and cleanse him of his sin. He wants cleansing from from it all. “Purge me…wash me…blot out my iniquities….create in me a clean heart….renew a right spirit….restore….uphold…deliver me….” All these phrases speak to his desire to be in a right relationship with his God.
B. What does God want according to verse 17?
God wants a humbled heart that recognizes apart from Him we are nothing. One free from independence and any pride in pulling myself up by my boot straps and trying to clean up and fix my life on my own. No religious activity like sacrificing can do it. I have to come to Him empty. Letting go of everything and that can be very hard to do.
C. What will happen when we truly bear fruit of repentance (verses 12-15)
It is beautiful how God gives joy to the heart. When a burden is lifted lightness comes and it brings relief. It results in a willing spirit that wants to be a witness of God’s wonderful goodness by leading others to the truth so they can find repentance and God’s salvation for their lives. The fruit of repentance also is evidenced by singing and speaking praise for God. Sad songs are a waste. Singing should be soothing and calming as with lullabies or acknowledgements of what God has done and definitely full of praise to God for Who He is. Verse 15 reflects Zechariah. Opened lips declaring God’s praise.
14. Have you been able to bear fruit worthy of repentance that you can share? Have you experienced some of what David says will happen? If so, share!
It is easy for me to be generic in my answers because God has been so faithful in my life for many years. I have known Jesus as my Savior since I was a child and have lived a pretty ordinary life with out any major waywardness. But there came a time when God had to confront my self righteous attitude and show me my sin was just as black as anyone who committed “big” sins. From his Word I understood my good deeds were filthy rags and my heart was deceitful and wicked like everyones. I too was a dirty rotten sinner. (I said that in a Sunday School class one time and it got very quiet. I got the feeling not everyone there agreed with me that we were all dirty rotten sinners). God was so gracious to grant me repentance from a sinful heart and He has continued to call me back when I am prone to wander. I love the times of refreshing that come from being in the study of his Word, hearing it taught and times of prayer. Singing worship songs whether in the shower, around the house, driving in the car or at church in corporate worship are so satisfying to my soul. The fruit of repentance is a wonderful and freeing thing.
I love your answer Bev ! We are equal at the foot of the cross.