HYMM: S.S & S. 642 “When we walk with the Lord”
CENTRAL THOUGHT
Service to God and mankind is a great privilege.
TEXT: LUKE 1:5-25
INTRODUCTION:
Zachariah, a Jewish priest in his days, was privileged to be chosen one day as the “minister on duty” to enter the Holy place of the temple to offer incense to God for the people. God guided the choice of Zachariah to bring His purpose to pass. Bible records that both Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth were righteous before God. There were blameless in keeping God’s commandments and ordinances, yet they had the challenge of childlessness. The challenge notwithstanding, Zachariah and his wife continues to serve God faithfully. It was while Zachariah was serving in the temple and the congregation worshipping and praying outside that an angel of God brought the news of God’s answer to prayers. At the right time, God answered the prayers of the couple. They gave birth to John the Baptist who was the forerunner of Jesus Christ. We have lessons to learn on the records of this man and his wife as we serve in the house of God.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
- To describe the person Zachariah
- Explain his being “minister on duty”
- Discuss the encounter with an angel of the Lord while ministering
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHO WAS ZECHARIAH AND WHAT WERE THE LIFESTYLES OF THE MAN AND HIS WIFE? (LUKE 1:5-7)
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHO WAS ZECHARIAH AND WHAT WERE THE LIFESTYLES OF THE MAN AND HIS WIFE? (LUKE 1:5-7)
Zechariah was a Jewish priest, a member of the priestly order of Abijah, married to Elizabeth also of the priesthood lineage of Aaron. They were upright and holy in the sight of God blamelessly. As a priest, he was expected to be teaching people the word of God, directing the worship services, burning incense, and interceding on behalf of the people. Though Zechariah and his wife were righteous and serving God diligently, they had a big challenge on their marriage. They were childless and this was considered as a curse in the Jewish culture (Gen 30:22-23). We don’t know how many years they have been praying for the fruit of the womb with no manifestation. They were now very old, and the situation appeared hopeless and helpless. It is instructive to note that excellent Christian life does not insulate one from this world’s challenges and difficulties. However, prayers offered in faith through Jesus Christ will surely be heard. The answer may appear delayed, but it will surely come to pass. God intervened at the right time; for it is written, “Behold, God will not forget the righteous” (Job 8:20).
QUESTION 2) EXPLAIN HIM BEING “MINISTER ON DUTY” AND RELATE TO TODAY’S CHURCH DUTIES (EXODUS 30:7-8; 2 CHRO. 31:2; LUKE 1:8-10)
History has it that at this period, there were about 20,000 priests in the land. They were divided into 24 groups. Each group would be on duty for a week. Every morning the group on duty will cast a lot to determine who God will choose to enter into the Holy of place. It was therefore a great privilege and perhaps once in a lifetime for a priest to be chosen to enter into this Holy place. On this occasion, the lot fell on Zechariah. He was to offer incense in the Holy Place and intercede for the people. It was in the process of carrying out this God given responsibility that an angel appeared to him. A minister should always stick to his calling and not allow circumstances around derail his commitment.
In the present-day assemblies, each minister is similarly assigned to perform one duty or the other. At other times of the day or week, ministers should be assigned to various responsibilities to meet the spiritual and physical needs of members by the church.
QUESTION 3) DISCUSS ZECHARIAH’S ENCOUNTER WITH AN ANGEL WHILE MINSITERING IN THE TEMPLE.
His shock: The Holy Place was a secluded place, with only the chosen priest expected to be found there. In that locked up room while performing his duties as a priest, Angel Gabriel appeared to him in physical form and spoke to him audibly. Angels are spirit beings and physical walls are no barrier to them. Zechariah was not expecting to see anybody inside this Holy Place thus he was shocked and overwhelmed with fear when he saw the angel.
Good news: Over the years, Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth have been praying for the blessing of the fruit of the womb, but it appeared no answer. Now angel Gabriel said, “But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.” (Luke 1:13) . What a great and comforting news. After many years of waiting, God now honored them. The angel brought a word of assurance, encouragement, and a promise. The baby would bring joy and gladness to Zechariah’s family in particular and to all people in general. The child will grow to become the one that will prepare the way for the long-awaited Messiah.
His mistake: Zechariah the priest prayed and God answered but doubted even with all the details given by angel Gabriel. For he asked, “And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years” (Luke 1:18). The news brought to Zechariah by the angel was too amazing to believe, so he requested for assurance. But angel Gabriel was not an ordinary messenger, and He brought this good news from God Himself. From Zechariah’s human point of view his doubt is understandable, but not with God, whom Zechariah knew very well can do all things. Based on his unbelief, he was to remain silent and unable to speak until the child was born. This is because whom much is committed, from him much will be expected.
QUESTION 4) AFTER THE ENCOUNTER, ZECHARIAH COMPLETED HIS MINISTRATION BEFORE GOING HOME. ANY LESSONS? LUKE 1:25; PSALM 27:14; 130:5; HEB 12:5-11
With the good news of the upcoming baby and the sad experience of becoming dumb, one would have expected that Zechariah would have excused himself and hurried home to share with his wife and relatives. Rather he waited patiently and completed his assignment before going home. He accepted the chastisement of the Lord with humility not considering the shame and ridicule of his dumbness. He continued to serve diligently. He did not desert his duty post because of the excitement of getting a child; neither did he resign from his appointed duty because of the ugly experience of becoming dumb. Ministry is full of excitements and challenges, but none of them should make us abandon our calling. Paul could say to Timothy, preach the gospel whether the time is favorable or not (2 Tim 4:2).
Also, he lived in a peaceful relationship with this wife throughout the period of her conception. They looked up to God for manifestation of the promise of God through the angel. God is always faithful to all who wait upon Him.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
For Zechariah, his age spoke more loudly than God’s promise from the angel’s words. He was then struck with dumbness until the fulfillment of the word of the angel. This episode should therefore serve as a warning to all those who doubt God’s word. No matter how seemingly impossible they appear, what God has said in His word will surely come true. For it is written, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matt. 5:18). We should learn to have complete confidence that God will keep His promise “in their season” (i.e at the right time).
MEMORY VERSE: LUKE 1:6
“And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MONDAY: A blameless priest. (Luke 1:5-7)
TUESDAY: Minister on Duty- a privilege. (Luke 1:8-10)
WEDNESDAY: Divine visitation while on duty. (Luke 1:9-12)
THURSDAY: Prayer answering God. (Luke 1:13-14)
FRIDAY: The great good news. (Luke 1:15-17)
SATURDAY: A testimony indeed. (Luke 1:25)