Word for Today, Wed, 22 Dec 2005: Preparing For His Coming
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
It is good to read the Bible, and if you have not read the Gospel of Luke
recently, the first chapter of Luke sets the stage for the coming of Christ.
First, John was born in order to prepare for Christ's coming. John the
Baptist, as he was known to some,
foretold of the day, soon coming, where the Messiah would actually appear to
save all who will call upon Him in belief, to save us from our sin.
This reading precedes Luke's description of Gabriel's visit to Mary. Notice
that Elizabeth and Zechariah (also known in classic
translations as Zecharias) were considered righteous in God's eyes. Right
there, that tells me, based on numerous other scripture passages (but
summarized nicely in Hebrews 11) that they were people of faith. Even so,
notice that Zechariah was unsure of what he was experiencing and doubting. He
was silent for a while because of his unbelief.
Perhaps that says something about us as well. We believe God and we believe
His promises, yet at times, we, too, doubt and question God. Those are good
times for us to be silent, too, until we come to grips with the realization
that God's Word is always perfect, right, and true, trustworthy in every way.
Can we honestly say the same about anything else? Only that which is of God's
Spirit, in my experience. Do you find the same to be true in your life?
Yours in Christ,
Brian
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Luke 1:1-25 - 1 Most honorable Theophilus: Many people have written accounts
about the events that took place among us. 2 They used as their source
material the reports circulating among us from the early disciples and other
eyewitnesses of what God has done in fulfillment of his promises. Having
carefully investigated all of these accounts from the beginning, I have decided
to write a careful summary for you, 4 to reassure you of the truth of all you
were taught.
5 It all begins with a Jewish priest, Zechariah, who lived when Herod was king
of Judea. Zechariah was a member of the priestly
order of Abijah. His wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron.
6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of
the Lord's commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because
Elizabeth was barren, and now they were both very old.
8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty
that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was
chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary and burn incense in the Lord's presence.
10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. 11
Zechariah was in the sanctuary when an angel of the Lord appeared, standing to
the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was overwhelmed with fear. 13 But
the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! For God has heard your prayer, and
your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John. 14 You
will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice with you at his birth,
15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or
hard liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.
16 And he will persuade many Israelites to turn to the Lord their God. 17 He
will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah, the prophet of old. He will
precede the coming of the Lord, preparing the people for his arrival. He will
turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will change
disobedient minds to accept godly wisdom."
18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I know this will happen? I'm an old
man now, and my wife is also well along in years." 19
Then the angel said, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It
was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20 And now, since you didn't
believe what I said, you won't be able to speak until the child is born. For
my words will certainly come true at the proper time." 21 Meanwhile, the people
were waiting for Zechariah to come out, wondering why he was taking so long.
22 When he finally did come out, he couldn't speak to them. Then they realized
from his gestures that he must have seen a vision in the Temple sanctuary. 23
He stayed at the Temple until his term of service was over, and then he
returned home. 24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went
into seclusion for five months. 25 "How kind the Lord is!" she exclaimed. "He
has taken away my disgrace of having no children!"
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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