The High Road

We are Christians.  No matter what economic level we live in, whether we are rich or poor, we are at the top of God’s spiritual kingdom, immediately below our Lord and Savior Jesus (Revelation 1:5-6, 5:1-10).  We are kings and priests under the King of kings and Great High Priest (Revelation 17:14, 19:16 and Hebrews 4:14).  That means something important.  We are called to rule AND lead.  Kings rule by authority and power.  Priests lead by precept and example.  Both must have unassailable integrity.

We are the narrow road to greatness that few find, not the wide road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-15).  This means that we follow those who follow the Word and not those who follow their belly (Philippians 3:17-21).

Matthew 5:38  Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 

Exodus 21:22-25  If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Matthew 5:39  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Proverbs 15:1  A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

If you ask the world’s system – and sadly more often than not, the church – they would say you never let someone take advantage of you or treat you badly or be disrespectful or rude.  Had Jesus held any of those attitudes He would have never given Himself for our salvation.  Even today He endures slander and mocking from the hard hearted and blind.  Scripture is filled with those who don’t take any trash from others.  These people are usually called the enemies of God.  It is also filled with those who gave their lives for the Lord and loved their enemies.  These are called evangelists, pastors, teachers, prophets and apostles.  They are called deacons, ushers, servants of the Most High, lovers of God more than lovers of themselves.

Matthew 5:40  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

Give more than required.

There are often times when we are sued or required to repay someone for some inadvertent offense or accidental damage we may have caused.  Never forget that when you have hurt someone the damage goes beyond the monetary considerations.  Perhaps you have cost them time; the time required to repair what you have damaged.  It could be that you have reduced the value of a special piece of property but the law is only interested in the bare replacement.  Whatever is required of you by law or custom, go beyond that, especially if the person hurt is offended as well. 

Scripture says the wounds of a friend are faithful if they lead us to repentance and growth (Proverbs 27:6), but wounds to a stranger often cause them to examine and hate everything about us, even our faith.  Always remember you are a representative of Christ Jesus.  Scripture also contains several examples of Jesus behaving rudely toward someone so it isn’t that there is never a reason to do so.  It should be noted however that He was only rude toward those who knew better and broke His Father’s laws.  His target for wrath was the Jewish religious community who were breaking God’s laws on a daily basis as seen in Matthew 23:13 below.

When you are discovered in a fault, make it your mission to repair as much as possible the offence you caused and leave them understanding that it was caused by your immaturity and flawed humanity, not by your relationship with God.  They ought to know that it is your relationship to God that has caused you to go above and beyond what is strictly required.

Matthew 5:41  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Do more than required.

There are times when you are required to work for someone who you would not normally work for.  In Israel during this period a person might be sold to another to pay off a debt or fine.  This economic slavery was common in the ancient world and allowed in Israel in a more regulated manner.  Slaves had certain rights; it was understood that they were human beings just like their owners.  They had simply fallen on difficult times.  Slavery as practiced in America was an absolute abomination to God’s word.  It is rarely taught in our history that the less racist Christians (Quakers come to mind) had much to do with ending it in this country.

My point here is that we ought to go beyond in these life journeys.  A slave who was sold for a year to pay off a debt was admonished to give two.  A laborer who was ordered by the court to work six months to pay off his or her debt was admonished by God to give a year.  This might seem harsh or difficult to the man or woman who does so but one thing is certain; if you give twice what you were required because of your faith and love for God you will certainly cause the other party to consider his opinion of our Lord.  No matter what your crime or debt, God expects us to turn it into a kingdom building occasion.  To do such a thing requires great faith.

Matthew 5:42  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Offer more than is necessary.  There are times when we have an excess to give.  Christians should not be guilty of living for filthy lucre.  There is nothing wrong with having more than a sufficiency (2 Corinthians 9:8), but God may send people to you when there is a need.  Some will come who have nothing and cannot pay you back.  Others wish to borrow and pay you back.  Loaning money to others is allowed but giving to others is better.  Remember that you have what you have by the grace of God and the gifts He has given you.  God desires to prosper us but we limit Him by greed and a refusal to share in our good blessings.  Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down shaken together and running over shall men give unto your bosom (Luke 6:38).

 Matthew 5:43  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.  44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Luke 10:30-37  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

The path being traveled meant the man might have been a Jew or a Gentile.  There were no obvious physical cues and the clothing that would have revealed his station in life and his nation was missing. 

A priest, a descendant of Aaron came by along the same path and stopped to look upon the man.  He had been stripped naked and wounded.  There was no way to tell if the naked man was a Jew.  This ruler of God’s people would not help a stranger and went away.  Next came a Levite, a worker in the temple.  He too came and looked upon the bleeding man without compassion and went the other way. 

Finally, a Samaritan, hated by the Jews for their mixed Hebrew and Gentile faith came by and looked upon the man.  He was unconscious and bleeding with terrible wounds.  The man’s heart was touched by this sorry wretch’s condition and began to methodically bind his wounds after pouring valuable oil and wine in them to help them heal.  He placed the man upon his own animal and began walking to the nearest inn along his way.  All night long this Samaritan nursed this poor man and finally left early the next day upon his business.  Before leaving he took two days wages and gave them to the innkeeper with instructions to care for the man, promising to pay any extra for his care when he passed by in the other direction.

The question Jesus posed to his young proselyte was, “Who was this man’s neighbor?”  It is often said in various parts of the world that ‘life is cheap.’  God would say to you, “Life is precious, it cost me the life of my Son Jesus.”  Never forget that great truth.

Matthew 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

If we wish to be the children of our Father we must have compassion and concern for the lost.  We do not live this life for money or riches.  They may come or may not but that is not the purpose for our love.  We live this life for the one who died for us and gave His life for us.  We live for God to the benefit of man.  I pray we never forget this great truth.

Matthew 5:46  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

We should be the best husbands, wives, children or friends.  We serve the God of all the universe.  We should reveal all the good and love of our Father, not the limited and nearsighted love of the publicans.  Our reward is in HIS hands.  Don’t limit it by shortsighted acts of worldly attitudes.  Love those who hate you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you.  If it doesn’t drive them crazy it will drive them to Jesus. 

In the verses below you see the failures of lying preachers and deacons.  Never let those failures be found in you.  Love without falsehoods.  Give without fanfare.  Worship and pray without doubting.  Trust and obey Jesus in all things and His Word as supreme.  Have INTEGRITY in everything you do.

Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows 'houses, and for a pretense make long prayer:  therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind:  for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind:  for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?  Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Matthew 5:47  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

Matthew 7:9-11 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him.

Matthew 5:48  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Perfect = Teleios = Complete, mature, without character flaws, lacking nothing. 

And having done all to stand…stand therefore (Ephesians 6:13).

Luke Chapter 1, Part 3 - Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

³⁶ And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

Elisabeth was likely Mary’s third or second cousin.  Remember that a man or woman is a Jew if their mother is but their tribal standing came from their father.  Someone in the near past married a woman from Judah who was related to Mary.  Their children (if the husband was a Levite) would be Levites or as in the case of Zacharias or Elisabeth’s parents, Aaronic Levites, descendants of Aaron.  I find it a wonderful thing that in God’s chosen plan, the woman ushers the child into the kingdom, but the man places the child in a family.  Even today any woman can get pregnant and any man can get her pregnant and she will have a child who is part of the human race, but it takes a dependable, faithful, loving man to bind them all together into a complete family; and it takes a faithful, loving woman to help keep a home.

How appropriate that God supplied Mary with a sign that He was at work in her own pregnancy.  Elisabeth was past bearing years and yet God gave her strength to conceive.  If God could open a womb long dead, surely He could produce life in a new and untouched womb.  In both cases he brought life.  I believe Elisabeth’s womb was indeed dead and God brought it to life.  Which miracle was greater; producing a child through a dead womb using the husband’s seed or producing a child through a healthy womb using God’s seed.  Jesus said (John 14:6), “I am the way, the truth and the LIFE!”

³⁷ For with God nothing shall be impossible.

750 years before His birth, Isaiah prophesied about a virgin giving birth to a son and that son would be called Immanuel, God with us.  God does not simply know everything that will happen, He sees everything that has happened, will happen or is happening right now, this instant.  God is Spirit.  Spirit can create energy.  Energy can create matter.  His Spirit can create matter and LIFE.  John 5:11 says that this life is IN HIS SON.  When He created the pregnancy that Mary carried, He created God life in Mary.  Jesus was always different in one fundamental way; God abided and still abides in Him.  He did not need to become holy because like Adam and Eve, He was born holy. 

³⁸ And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

As we get older we tend to remember our life experiences and they color our decisions.  Someone who has been wounded many times in life may find it difficult to trust or love others.  Luke 18:17 says, “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”  If we learn how to trust and depend upon God, we will receive His blessings.  When we fail to trust Him we do not walk in faith and test His patience.  Mary did not question God except to satisfy her lack of understanding.  Scripture says if anyone lack wisdom, let them ask of God who will freely grant it without chastening (James 1:5).  She got her understanding and simply said, “Let it be according to your word.”

What a wonderful example for all of us.  As you read scripture and discover a new promise, you should look to heaven and declare, “Let it be according to you Word Lord.”  This is why we meditate upon his Word each day so our minds are renewed by the Word of God (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2).  Mary essentially declared, “I believe in the Word of the Lord and I accept.  I am not fearful what man may do but I trust in God and in His wisdom.  I will observe to do all that God has commanded me and will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6).”

³⁹ And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; ⁴⁰ And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

I can well imagine this young woman rushing home to pack.  Her parents must have looked at her with some confusion as she declared her intention to travel to Zacharias and Elisabeth’s home.  Perhaps her father accompanied her or sent a brother to travel with her though it does not say.  It is unlikely she walked any great distance unaccompanied.  Consider how important this cousin of hers must have been to her.  Throughout her life following Jesus’ birth there would be whispers.  Not until His resurrection would most of them cease.  Most would assume that she slept with Joseph or some other man before their marriage.  That was unthinkable for a properly brought up young woman.

There were two who would know the truth however.  Zacharias and Elisabeth must have been a great comfort to her.  There would be no look of speculation on THEIR faces.  They would know and believe the truth.  They would understand, even before Joseph did.  That thought must have been like cold water to Mary.  How would she tell Joseph?  How would he react?  This wasn’t the old days, but people were still occasionally stoned for fornication and adultery if the family made a big thing of it.  How would her own family react?  All these thoughts must have been going through her mind.

⁴¹ And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: ⁴² And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

Even from his mother’s womb, John the Baptist was fulfilling his prophecy of preparing the way before Jesus (Mathew 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4, John 1:23).  His rejoicing served to focus his mother on this young woman who appeared before her.  Her salutation would have calmed any doubts and fears that Mary might have felt.  She wasn’t crazy, it wasn’t just her.  God had sent witnesses (Matthew 18:16).  The word for “blessed” is eulogeo which is the word we get eulogy from.  A eulogy is a praise or exclamation of someone’s life.  Some translate it as ‘happy,’ but happy is not the same word. 

Perhaps a better way to describe it is that one’s life mattered or made a difference.  Nobody in the world would say that Jesus’ life did not matter.  Even those who do not believe  He is the Son of God know His life mattered and made a difference.  In this case verse 42 might have been better said, “Your life mattered more than any other woman’s.  The fruit of your womb, your firstborn will matter more than anyone born before or after.  He will make all the difference in the world.”  Why does that fit better than blessed or happy?  Because Mary’s life was rarely happy after Jesus came of age.  Her heart was pierced through with many sorrows and griefs after He began to minister.

⁴³ And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and understood exactly who rested in Mary’s womb.  She had remained hidden for five months out of fear it might all be a dream.  When Mary arrived it all came together and the Word of the Lord came forth.  “Why should I be so honored that the mother of my Lord should come to my house.”  John the Baptist would begin his ministry first.  He would spend many years with the Essenes learning scripture and one day would rise up as a bright torch with holy fire.  Once Jesus came upon the scene and was baptized, John’s flame began to wane as was fitting (John 3:30).

⁴⁴ For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

This is rather a strong voice against abortion or the current practice of always calling the unborn a fetus rather than a baby.  God calls the unborn babes.  In this case, a six month old in his mother’s womb already had a ministry from God and was active in it.  Who are we to judge what child has a right to live or not?  Herod tried to kill the child Jesus as well.  How dare we decide what child has a right to live or die.  John leapt for joy when he heard the voice of Mary.  He leapt at the anointing upon her when it touched the anointing upon him.  Mary needed encouragement right now as evidenced by her hasty trip to visit her cousin.  She would soon have to return home and face Joseph.  That must have been a daunting prospect.

⁴⁵ And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

This was the final encouragement from Elisabeth.  It was a simple reminder that what God promises He performs.  Her blessing is that she believed and in her believing His Word will come to pass.  Elisabeth seemed to be saying, “Because of your willingness to obey in this thing men and women will be saved.  They will meet and know the Lord and all because one apparently insignificant woman said yes.”  Had she refused, God would have had to make other plans, but she did not refuse.  She said yes.  No matter the shame, no matter the awkwardness, she said yes to her Lord.  How many times have I heard someone fail God simply by saying the words, “I can’t.  I’m not ready and I would look like a fool if I try.”  These were Moses’ words.  They are the words of someone who trusts their own ability to fail above Gods ability to make them a success.

⁴⁶ And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, ⁴⁷ And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

These ten verses have been called the “Magnificat.”  It is a prophetic song sung by Mary as the Holy Spirit took hold of her and caused her to expound upon this great gift and the miracle growing within her.  There has been some scientific study on what our soul is. We are a spirit.  Our brain calculates and reasons, but our soul seems to be a storage of memories, hopes and desires that is outside our actual physical brain.  From a scriptural standpoint this makes sense.  If everything we know or think or understand is attached to our physical bodies, then we would cease to exist as a thinking person once we die.  It is more likely that our soul is attached to our spirit and not to our flesh. 

We know that spirit is pnuema which means breath or wind.  Our soul is called psyche which also means wind and is considered to be the rational thinking part of us.  Spirit is our nature and our eternal vessel, while soul is who we are, how we feel and think about ourselves.  Our soul is rational and magnifies the Lord.  It speaks all the words it has learned that describe how great and wondrous God is.  She said, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”  Joy is eternal.  It is not like being happy which can change.  Joy can feed off of God’s Word at any moment and is sufficient to help us charge through our day.  Joy is a reflection of our spirit’s touch to God’s Spirit.

⁴⁸ For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

God has regarded the humility and graciousness of His bond slave.  A bond slave is someone who has served a house and discovered that living as a servant to a house is better than being master over their own house.  In Mary’s case, she was a bond slave to God.  His love in her heart was so strong that she couldn’t imagine any other life than one of total obedience to her Savior.  It is not a burden to be a bond slave to God; it is a great blessing. 

Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The burdens of our life are many and difficult.  God has promised to lift those burdens if we will take up His yoke and learn of his ways.  He is not a violent or angry ruler, He is full of grace and love.  One day He will judge those who deny His love and sacrifice.  How sad to be relegated to a Hell, not designed for man, but for fallen angels, simply because they would choose not to follow after love and grace, but after lust, greed and sin.  Sin may please the human nature, but ultimately it leads to spiritual death.  There is no half-sin or getting God to change His mind.  History always goes through seasons of religious persecution because we are the standard bearers.  We keep His standards and if we should choose to ignore some of them for political or social reasons we are no different than those who ignore all of them.

⁴⁹ For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

God is El Shaddai, ALMIGHTY, the one who wields ALL might.  As long as we live according to His plan and seek to abstain from sins we are the recipients of His mighty acts.  He will do great things for us.  The High Priests wore a golden plate on their forehead that said, “Holiness unto the Lord.”  We are required to be holy (Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:26) as God is holy.  It is an awesome honor to be chosen by God for ministry. 

⁵⁰ And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

“And His good will and gracious acts are upon them that fear Him from one generation to the next.  Even your children will reap the rewards of your dedication.”

A life lived well before God will reap eternal rewards on your behalf as well as much good will from God toward your posterity.  God had every right to cut Israel off after Solomon’s sin … except … He promised David that someone from his line would be on his throne forever.  That has not happened.  Either God lied or is not real, or it is yet in the future.  We in Christ know it is in the future because the man Jesus will return in power and take His throne.  Scripture says that David was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).  The Mercy Seat that covered the Ark of the Covenant will be restored and many believe it will become the throne upon which our Lord will rule.

⁵¹ He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

God’s strength is unassailable.  There is none greater and none stronger.  One of the great truths of His strength is that it is greater than spirit, greater than matter and greater than energy.  Spirit creates energy and energy creates matter.  If you smash matter against matter it creates energy again.  Only spirit is unique and unchangeable.  God is a Spirit, you are in His image and are a spirit.  Animals are purely physical life but we are spirit.  Our life here on earth is supposed to be lived in the manner God requires.  When we do not, we are no longer living within His rules having refused them, and have become EARTHBORN, lawless and lost.

These are the ones who seek to defy our God.  They are unarmed and incapable of touching the true life, the life of God.  They are proud and arrogant, believing nothing yet claiming everything.  These are the ones God will scatter in His strength and cast away from His presence.  They have denied the Holy One and have no hope.

⁵² He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

This same God will cast the chief leaders, chief rulers and even chief priests from off their thrones.  They will lift up their eyes to the penthouses, palaces and pinnacles of society and still they will miss the true heights of power and grace.  They will miss God. 

Nevertheless, those who walk in humility, loving and caring for the dispossessed and wounded, God will raise up and deliver.  These are they who God will raise up from servants to great leaders.  They will accomplish great exploits in His strength because He is greater than any other.

⁵³ He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

Are you hungry; not merely the hunger of this body we live in, but the hunger of career, ministry, hope and a future?  God fills the hungry with good.  Good what?  Whatever is good.  It could mean good to eat or good for you.  Many are so filled with passion for their future that they would not eat if food was set before them.  They WANT that future more than anything.  Others, like Esau, would put food ahead of his own birthright.  What is your hunger?  If it is not a lust of the flesh, then God is always working to fulfill that hunger with good things.

Why would God send the rich away empty?  Is it a crime to be rich?  …a sin?  Not at all.  It is a sin to be rich in money and dead in spirit.  God says you cannot serve God and wealth (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13).  What does that mean exactly?  It means that you cannot develop a love for money.  It doesn’t matter if you are wealthy or well off but if your heart is turned to more and more money and God receives less of your heart, then you have become what he hates, someone who loves mammon more than Him. 

In some cases, the wealthy have hardened their hearts so much that they have abandoned God.  In other cases they have lost their first love.  Both of these are answered the same way by God.  He will strip them of their wealth and drive them to a decision to trust Him or not.  Both may be saved, but a person who has the gift of making wealth must keep his spirit more diligently than a poor man.  It is too easy to get himself in trouble by behaving as Nebuchadnezzar and saying, “Look at this great thing I have done (Daniel 4:13-37)!” What has been accomplished was done in God’s strength and His gifts.  God will not surrender His honor to man.  This is why it is harder for a rich man to make it into the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 19:23-24).  They are often too full of themselves to rely on God.

⁵⁴ He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; ⁵⁵ As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Be aware who Mary is speaking of here.  There are so many Christians today who hate the Jews just as much as any Arab does.  Why do you suppose that is?  I ask this question because it must be asked in light of so many scriptures.  We in Christ are servants of God, but we are more.  We are the children of God through adoption as is stated in Romans 8:1-17).  Israel has always been the servant of God.  Though they have run away and been chastened numerous times God has never turned His back on them.  Every nation that has attacked the Jews has been severely damaged.

Scripture says that a house divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:25, Mark 3:25, Luke 11:17).  The Romans went against the Jews and were broken into two kingdoms.  Germany tried to obliterate the Jews and was broken into two nations.  The Soviet Union drove millions of Jews out and was broken into pieces.  All these things happened to the nations that persecuted Jews.  Arab nations are united in only one thing, their hatred of Israel and Jews.  They will never band together effectively because of this.  Every nation that afflicts Israel has been broken up to prevent their ability to continue.  Some have been utterly destroyed.  Germany was only reunited after the last leader of the extermination program of the Jews had died. 

God has always supported Israel no matter how far they have fallen short.  He remembers His promises to Abraham, even His promise not to destroy Sodom or Gomorrah if at least ten righteous can be found (Genesis 18:32-33).  Do you think God would give less grace to His own chosen people?  Not so.  He may not continue with Israel because of their faithfulness, but He will surely keep them because of His mercy and His promises.  His promise to Abraham was eternal.  His promise to David was eternal.  His promise to the prophets was eternal.  We are the wild olive branch and grafted in.  We should not get the idea that Israel has lost to us.  Israel’s sin made an opening for our future.  Now we are to pray that they be reawakened and restored to their proper place.

Beloved, continue in His love.

Bishop J

Luke Chapter 1 Part 2

²¹ And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple.

When your pastor or church leaders pray for you, do you expect an answer or do you go through the motions like, “good church people should?”  We read verses like this and think how old fashioned it all is.  They stood in the temple, the men closest in the Court of the Israelites near the great altar.  The women would be on the other side of the gate in the court of women.  From the men’s area they could have watched Zacharias walk to the great laver (washbasin) and cleanse himself.  He would take the perfectly prepared incense and carry it up the steps and enter the Holy Place. 

Think about it, these men…and women…came each day to pray in the evening and in the morning.  While they prayed to God, in their hearts and minds it was the incense burning beside the ark of the covenant that would carry their prayers up to heaven.  Perhaps they imagined it filtering through the veil to be caught up by the cherubim on the mercy seat.  They waited for the priest to return which signaled that their prayers were on their way heavenward.  This was a very real process for them which activated their faith in God.

There was only one problem…Zacharias did not return.  For devout Jewish saints the procedure was both comforting and as regular as clockwork.  The priest would enter.  A short time would pass.  The priest would exit.  The prayers are delivered.  In this case Zacharias, a well known and elderly priest remained inside far longer than was normal.  The scripture says that they were filled with wonder at the time he remained within.  He must have been in there for a really long time if they had become astonished.  They were astonished and the experience itself must have been terrifying for the priest, so much so that the angel had to say, “Fear not!”

²² And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

There are several scriptures regarding someone who is unable to speak.  Ezekiel 24:27 says, “On that day your mouth will be opened to the fugitive, and you shall speak and be no longer mute. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the Lord.”  The Pharisee Saul of Tarsus was blinded because he refused to see who Christ was.  Zacharias was made mute so he could speak no doubtful words until his son was born.  What if God struck each of us in the manner that would best preserve our confession of faith?  Would we have endured days or weeks of muteness, deafness or blindness?  I’m sure I would have. 

When it comes to receiving from God we are our own worst enemies.  Very few of us maintain a perfect profession of faith (Hebrews 10:23) until it becomes accomplished visible tangible fact.  Most of us waver and doubt over money or ministry or healings (James 1:5-8) and that wavering can easily defeat our faith.  We must meditate on His Word and maintain a strong profession. 

²³ And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

I think it’s wonderful that this man who suddenly found himself unable to speak, refused to be rushed to the hospital or hurry home to his wife to be consoled.  He remained on the job until his course was finished and the ninth course came on duty.  Only then did he return home to his wife…and his prophecy.  I can well imagine that he got home and told his wife that their life was about to change.  I wonder if she was more or less believing than her husband?

²⁴ And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, ²⁵ Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

There are all sorts in the world today.  Some would shout the wonderful news from the rooftops.  Others would remain silent, afraid the promise might pop like a soap bubble.  I don’t believe the true promises of God are that fragile.  I believe that if God says a thing is going to come to pass, neither heaven nor earth can stop it.  Elisabeth’s response is a familiar one to me.  It is the response of a woman who has understood her husband’s vision and still can’t quite believe her good fortune.  She spent five months in solitude until it was quite apparent she wasn’t merely gaining weight but that a miracle had indeed happened.  Through it all she maintains the proper response before the Lord and gives him glory for his grace and mercy.

Today a woman might feel less than whole if she was unable to bear a child, but that is nothing compared to the desperate need a woman of that era felt about producing a child, and especially a male child, for her husband.  Jacob’s wife Leah loved her husband with all her heart.  Rachel loved him but she loved motherhood even more.  The prophecy in Jeremiah 31:15 tells of her future agony when the children in Bethlehem were murdered by Herod.  In a very real way, Rachel was the mother of all Israel.  She loved her seed more than life itself, certainly more than even marriage.  This is the type of desperate need to have children that was planted in Israelite women.  This is what prompted her to say that God had removed her reproach.

²⁶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, ²⁷ To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

Never forget that all things and all dates matter in scripture.  On the first month Elizabeth conceived.  On the fifth month she declared her condition in her village.  On the sixth month God sent that same angel to Mary to propose his plan to her.  That city was Nazareth, a small unassuming village in Galilee.  During this time it was said that Galilee produced only three things, fishermen, rabbis or zealots (the freedom fighters of this age).  Jesus was sent to a place that was a powder keg.  He could either make it explode with grace or blood.  He chose to make grace explode with HIS blood.

Mary was a virgin who was espoused, promised, engaged to Joseph, a carpenter in the small village of Nazareth.  She loved Joseph and was expectantly awaiting the day of her marriage.  Her expectation was that one day soon her intended husband would kidnap her (with her father’s permission of course), and carry her off to the home he had prepared for her where a local rabbi would be waiting to marry them.  She would have kept an oil lamp burning in her window each night so her beloved would know which room she was in.  As a young woman, probably in her middle to late teens she had expectantly awaited this day for many years.

Little did she know that her marriage and indeed her first child would come in a totally different manner.  One important point of her relationship to God is that she didn’t even consider turning down his offer or questioning how Joseph might receive the news that she was married.  By law she should be stoned to death for adultery because a betrothal back then had the same force as a marriage.  She didn’t let an understanding of the whispers she might endure behind her back for years to come sway her.  Many who would not believe her son was the Messiah would spread hateful gossip.  Mary simply said, “Yes Lord.”

²⁸ And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.  ²⁹ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

God has a habit of taking someone from very low status and raising them up for His purposes.  He does not always do this but it does happen often.  King Saul came from one of the smallest tribes, Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:21).  David was the least esteemed child of his family who was sent out alone with the sheep when his other brothers stayed at home (1 Samuel 16:11).  Rahab was a prostitute (Joshua 6, James 2:25) and Ruth was a cursed Moabite (Ruth 1:22).  Mary was an unknown woman from a small village some distance from any large town. 

God chose Israel because they were the least of all people, not even a people yet.  Abraham went through many failed tests and trials before he truly became a man of faith.  His son Isaac and grandson Jacob failed as often as he did before learning to stand before God.  God was not looking for a woman of great nobility or power.  God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).  Mary loved God and she loved a man named Joseph.  In that, she loved God even more.  Serving Him in this would become an embarrassment throughout her adult life.  Only those who knew the truth would believe she had not cheated on Joseph.

The angels greeting was troubling to her as well.  How would she be blessed above all women on earth?  She turned these things over in her mind and was filled with concern even as she made her decision of faith, “Thy will be done Lord.”

³⁰ And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

God often speaks these words to His children…fear not.  Fear not little flock for it is your father’s will to give you the kingdom.  Jesus calls us a little flock.  We may never be the greatest number of people but we are the people with the greatest authority, the greatest power.  Grace is unmerited favor with someone.  I walked into a community center and the woman who works there has worked very hard to make sure I have the space and day I want for my Bible Study.  Christians spend too much time in fear of what might happen to us.  We should spend more effort walking in the authority of the Lord instead.  God’s favor is not to be sneered at.  His favor turns hearts of the fathers to the sons, and daughters back to their mothers.

³¹ And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

This verse is almost verbatim from Isaiah 7:14 except Isaiah 7 tells us some additional things about Jesus the child.  According to Isaiah, Jesus will grow through infancy and childhood as a normal child who has no understanding of bad or good.  As he matures in knowledge and spirit He will always choose the good and not the evil.  This also lets us know how important parental guidance is.  In this country we have cut parental rights almost to nothing; spoken publically against Christian believers who brought standards of living, and then we wonder why our children commit murder and invent new ways of committing sins.  If the Son of God needed parental guidance until He was twelve, the age of accountability in Israel, then we most certainly need parents who will raise us in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4) and not allow us to grow up as a pack of wolves, hoping we’ll find God later.

³² He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

He shall be exceedingly great and shall be called the Son of the Highest (the Supreme one).  Jesus is legally the son of Joseph by adoption.  This makes Him the lion of the tribe of Judah.  Joseph’s line was cursed by God so Jesus had to be the Son of God.  There is a law of adoption in Israel where the father of the bride can adopt the son-in-law.  This applies under the daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 26:33, 27, 36:2-6).  For this reason, Joseph was considered to be in the line of Mary and not his own father’s line so his son Jesus is qualified to reign. 

He IS also the Son of God, the firstborn Son.  God His Father has promised Him the throne of David.  The throne of David must be reestablished before Jesus may sit on His own throne.  Right now He sits on His Father’s throne in heaven.  The various gospels render different genealogies because they approach Jesus from differing perspectives.  They show him as Jesus the Son of God (John 1), Jesus the Son of man (Mark 10:45, Daniel 7), etc.  Jesus had to qualify in different areas to fulfill scripture.  Only His multiple natures make this possible.

It is obvious that God chose Mary and Joseph very carefully.  Joseph was a carpenter and may well have been a Rabbi.  Jesus Himself was called a Rabbi and Doctor of the Law (Torah), even by His enemies.  Some scholars believe Joseph may have been a Rabbi and an architect.  Though Herod funded the new Temple, the Jews would not have allowed just anybody to build it.  Joseph may have worked on that Temple since only properly trained Jews could work there.  Some believe that the things Jesus ‘got away with’ in Jerusalem, especially in the temple, may have been because his father was well known as well as because of the Spirit of His Heavenly Father within Him.  Was Joseph more than just an itinerant carpenter?  Was He a Rabbi or an Architect?

While these ideas were ‘possible’ I can’t help but wonder why a well known or up and coming Architect would only have been able to afford two turtle doves to consecrate his firstborn son, especially a son born under such unique circumstances.  It is also possible that the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh presented upon the birth of his son Jesus allowed Joseph to prosper and be educated as it allowed him to live in Egypt until Herod died.  These possibilities were presented during my research and I offer them to you.  There are any number of articles about who Joseph may have been on the internet but the only one that truly matters is found in Matthew 1:18-20.  Joseph was a just man, a thoughtful man, a prayerful man. 

One thing is certain, according to Matthew 1:12, Joseph’s ancestor Jeconiah was cursed by God (Jeremiah 22:24-30).  You might say that Jesus was not Joseph’s true son, being a son of God and Mary.  A wonderful thing about God is that He will not allow anyone to say a person is unworthy who He has deemed worthy for special honor.  God COULD have said that He and He alone was the Father of Jesus and Joseph was not, but He did not do so.  He is listed as the Father of Jesus in John’s Gospel but Joseph’s in Matthew’s.  Both had to be worthy parents (as God obviously is).  Only because of the Daughters of Zelophehad could Joseph be Jesus’ adoptive father because the lineage of Jesus, the man who will one day sit on the throne of David forever, comes through Mary and not Joseph.  Some believe that Luke’s genealogy is through Mary although some are not sure.  What is certain is that both Joseph AND Mary have King David as an ancestor and that because of the Daughters of Zelophehad, Jesus is as worthy in a natural sense to reign on His throne as He is in a spiritual sense.

³³ And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Because of Jesus’ heavenly Father He is worthy to reign forever over the house of Jacob.  God’s promises to the sons of Jacob are eternal.  Christians do not replace Jews.  We are the wild olive branch and we have been grafted in.  While we grow, Israel the tame olive branch is not replaced, it is simply allowed to wither until it acknowledges God and His actions in their behalf and also acknowledges that Jesus is the Messiah.  Israel is like Nebuchadnezzar who spent seven years in exile as a wild beast until he acknowledged the God of Heaven.  As soon as the time prophesied by Daniel had come to pass, Nebuchadnezzar came to himself and cried out to God.  God healed him and made his kingdom greater than ever.  There is a certain misplaced arrogance in the church today.  They look down their noses at Jews and forget that we are only allowed in because of God’s grace.  Israel is the chosen people.  We are the people grafted into the root of Jesse.  One day God will re-approach His people and we will have received our inheritance and reign with God but Israel’s promises remain.  Blessed are those who bless Jacob and cursed are those who curse him and his seed (Genesis 12:3).

³⁴ Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

How often do we display just how defiled we are by how much we know of worldly things?  Mary, upon hearing all these pronouncements by the Archangel Gabriel had only one question.  In her limited understanding there was only one way for a woman to get pregnant.  She had to have sex with a man.  If you do not believe the Bible then your issues are much greater than whether or not a virgin can be made pregnant by her Creator.  If you do believe the Bible then you have to believe it all.  Mary is not an allegory for a morally upright person.  She was not said to be perfect or without any flaws.  She was a modest and gracious virgin who was patiently awaiting her wedding day when God chose to enter her perception.  He chose her because He did.  Period.

We cannot say why she was the one or why her cousin Elizabeth who bore John the Baptist.  If you think about it there was probably a fairly small group of women He could choose from.  His choice had to be:

From Nazareth.

A virgin.

Betrothed (He needed a father to raise and train Him.)

Of a specific family tree, a tainted family tree at that.

Related to God’s choice for forerunner…John the Baptist.

Etc.

There are literally hundreds of specifications in the Old Testament that the Messiah had to fulfill and Jesus fulfilled ALL of them.  Nazareth was a fairly small town so finding a specific virgin who had a specific relative and was espoused to someone who had a legally flawed shoresh (root) but by God’s grace could be made worthy was not easy.  He was as a root out of dry ground, his lineage had been ignored, damaged goods and unworthy of notice (Isaiah 53:2).  His ancestor Jeconiah had cursed his inheritance, but God’s grace through Zelophehad had restored it.  Mary did not care about any of this.  Her only question was based in curiosity, not doubt.  How does it work?

³⁵ And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Mary was anointed with power by the Holy Ghost and God’s power performed a miraculous medical procedure upon her.  In Acts 5:15 people used to bring their sick and infirm to the streets where Peter was ministering so they might be touched by his shadow.  That fleeting touch of shade would heal them.  God placed His shadow upon Mary and she became pregnant.  Do you have this type of miraculous ministry in Christ?  According to 1 Corinthians 12:4-12 we all have different gifts, abilities and duties.  It is foolish to assume that I have the same responsibilities before God as someone else.  My duties are mine and the kingdom of God is lessened if I do not perform them.  Yours are for you and the same applies. 

From this verse we know that Jesus is both holy (free from sin), and that He is the Son of God.  Scriptures says, “Whom He calls He justifies (Romans 8:29-30).”  Whether we understand just how this works or how God can take a portion of who He is and make it into something else and yet the same is unimportant.  God justifies and only God can judge.  Jesus is the Son (with all rights and powers) of God.  Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1-14).  Jesus and His Father are one (John 10:27-30).  If you continue reading to the end of John 10 the Pharisees help you out.  They seek to stone Jesus.  Why?  Because they understood that He clearly called himself the Son of God and equal with God.  There was no misunderstanding there.  Jesus Himself said that He is the Son of God and one with God.

Luke 1, Part 1

Luke 1

King James Version (KJV)

Part 1

Luke chapter one is the longest chapter in the New Testament.  It is broken down into 80 verses and describes the new beginning of our life in Christ Jesus.  Paul in Colossians 4:14 described Luke as the ‘beloved physician.’  Some scholars believe that Luke wrote his gospel AND the book of acts as book one and two of required trial documents to follow Paul to Rome for his meeting with Caesar.  If this is true, then these must be the first trial documents that have also won souls and helped thousands over the centuries be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, ² Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; ³ It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴ That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

The name Theophilus to whom this book and Acts was written may have been someone’s name or the title of an office.  The name means ‘Friend of God.’  The name was also used as an honorary title for scholars and academics during this time by Romans and Jews.  It is quite possible that Luke used this name as an honorary title for the recipient.  Even today in many churches we use the honorific ‘doc’ or ‘doctor’ to refer to a respected pastor or church leader. 

The book was written in refined Koine Greek as befitted someone trained as a physician.  It is believed that Luke traveled with Paul as his personal physician and as a fellow laborer in the gospel.  Remember as you read the account of Zacharias that it is never as easy to obey God after a period of disobedience or doubt as it is from the start.  Saul of Tarsus tried to destroy the church until Jesus arrested him on the road to Damascus.  For this disobedience God smote him with blindness for a season and some believe his eyesight was never quite the same afterwards.  Paul called his affliction a ‘thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan’ and sought God three times to deliver him from it (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).  Rather than healing him, Jesus informed him that HIS strength is made perfect in man’s weakness and that HIS grace was sufficient.  This revelation caused Paul to rejoice in his affliction.

Consider this if you are afraid to press forward in Christ or obey His calling; Paul rejoiced in his infirmities after this and gloried in the very weaknesses he endured before with frustration and grief.  A man who is strong in his own abilities has no strength at all, but a man called of God who is only strong in Christ cannot be stopped.  You can then run through a troop and leap over walls; you are MORE than a conqueror (Romans 8:37-39).

⁵ There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

Herod the Great was not Jewish but rather an Idumean.  He was an appointee of Rome and would stop at nothing to prop up his shaky throne.  He killed many rabbis because he felt they might stir up the people.  He also murdered many of his own wives and sons to protect the throne and tried to kill the baby Jesus.  After Jesus’ birth Herod killed every male child in Bethlehem under the age of two.  Joseph had been warned in a dream and hid his family in Egypt until after Herod’s death in 4AD.  Herod also built the great temple in Jerusalem which was in use throughout the life of Christ and ultimately destroyed in 70AD.

To understand Zacharias you must understand that there are Levitical Priests and there are Levites.  Levites served the priests.  The priests are all sons of Aaron.  Levites are all descended from Jacob’s son Levi but not Aaron the brother of Moses.  Zacharias the ‘priest’ was a descendant of Aaron.  The course of Abia was the eighth course of twenty four courses that King David established to allow the priesthood to function more efficiently and serve God more diligently.  Keep in mind that any children they had would be Priests, not merely Levites since they were both descended from Aaron.  John the Baptist was a priest by birth and a prophet by God’s calling.

One interesting bit of information is that a persons Jewish roots come from their mother while their tribal affiliation comes from the father.  If a man who is not a Jew marries a Jewish woman, their children are Jewish though not specifically of any particular tribe.  If a man who is Jewish marries a Gentile woman their children are not Jewish unless they convert and even if they do convert they will not inherit the tribal affiliation of their father.  God was quite serious when he said believers and unbelievers were not to marry (1 Corinthians 6:14-16).

In Ezra following the rebuilding of the Temple, Ezra was very hard on the Israelites who had married Gentile women.  Those who were Priests or Levites were not allowed to minister before the Lord until they had put away their wives and offered sacrifices for trespass against God’s Word.  Some Christian teachers say this was not required since in the New Testament we are commanded to keep our unsaved mates if we were married before we came to Christ.  I do not agree.  The relationship between God and Israel is much different than between God and Christian believers.  The Jews had many hard rules and repairing breaches in those laws was often costly as well.

Today a Priest or Levite who marries a Gentile woman is forbidden to minister while he is married to the woman and any children he has with her are not Levites, Priests or even Jews.  Even if the mother has converted or later the children convert they are not considered Levites.  The office of Priest or Levite is a genetic office passed from father to child but only if the child is a natural Jew through the mother.  It takes this double ‘witness’ to fulfill the requirements.

⁶ And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. ⁷ And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

Every patriarch of Israel and almost every hero or heroine of scripture involved difficulty in child bearing.  Abraham (Genesis 17) and Isaac both wrestled with God for children.  Jacob’s wife Rachel’s womb was shut up because Jacob loved her but not her sister Leah (Genesis 29:31).  It took years for her to bear a child.  Mary bore a child without a man because God willed it and Elisabeth, like Rachel and even Hannah the mother of Samuel the priest prophet (1 Samuel 1) wrestled with God to procure faith for His service. 

⁸ And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, ⁹ According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. ¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

King David arranged the priesthood into courses so they might do their work more efficiently.  Within each course there were daily duties to perform, one of which was burning incense upon the golden altar in the Holy Place just outside of the Holy of Holies.  This responsibility was vital and if your heart was not right or the incense not properly produced, extremely dangerous.  Two of Aaron’s sons were killed by God for using incense improperly.  Burning incense before the Holy of Holies was a great honor and a great responsibility.  It represented the prayers of the people day and night.

The people gathered twice a day in the temple if they could, to pray while the priest burned incense.  You can imagine how holy this was just outside the veil separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place.  It says Zacharias was chosen by lot for this honor, either by actual lot or because it was his turn on a schedule.  There is some question about this although it hardly matters.  Scripture says the lot is in God’s lap.  He controls the outcome.  God’s timing is flawless.  Everything He does is exact and to the moment that He has ordained.

¹¹ And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

You can almost imagine Zacharias walking into the Holy Place with his vessel of incense.  He was getting older and walked carefully, possibly looking downward to be sure of his footing.  As he approached the golden altar used for burning incense he might have looked up startled to see someone standing to the right of the altar.  You have to understand that there was no playing around in the temple.  Directly behind the altar of incense was the veil that separated him from the Holy of Holies and the ark of God.  Service to God is a serious business.  Zacharias knew he was the only one in that special room.  To see someone as imposing as Archangel Gabriel must have looked might have startled him into dropping the incense.

¹³ 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. ¹⁴ And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

Luke 12:32 says, “Fear not little flock for it is your father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”  In this case the angel informs him that his prayer has been heard.  How long do you suppose this godly man prayed for children?  It is likely that he and his wife were in their fifties.  They probably married in their late teens.  How many nights did Elisabeth cry herself to sleep over her barren womb?  He obviously loved her very much so that sound would have been a knife in his own heart.  You never know what God might require of you in life, what sacrifices or what trials of patience and faith. 

I had a few friends in High School but when I became a Christian later I would pray for them each day.  Two of them know the Lord now and one does not.  There are two others I haven’t heard from in almost forty years but I still pray for them.  You never know when your prayers will bear fruit.  It says in Romans 5:3-5, “… we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” 

I have three children and I couldn’t imagine life without out any one of them.  My eldest is handicapped following an injury but the love he shares and the joy he brings to others is wonderful.  The middle child is smart, talented and more like me than he knows.  He’s a good husband and great father and I am very proud of him.  My baby girl is wrapped around my heart in every way possible.  She is a fierce warrior for the Lord in her own special way.  God looks upon each and every one of us exactly the same way.  We each succeed and fail in our own special ways and He is there for us all uniquely and individually.  My God shall supply all our needs individually and specifically.  He is not limited. 

¹⁵ For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. ¹⁶ And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

John was ordained before the Earth was created to be great in the sight of the Lord.  Scripture says he was a fiery prophet wearing camel skins and eating locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:3-4).  He was a man’s man but never drank strong drink in his life.  Some may have wondered about his sanity or wisdom but he was clear headed and full of God’s wisdom from birth.  Because of his passion and clarity of purpose many Jewish hearts were turned back to God.  Secularism is not a new thing in Israel.  John attacked it head on with God’s power and made a real difference.

¹⁷ And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

The Jewish people had waited centuries for the Messiah, the deliverer to come.  Everyone knew He would come one day.  John was the herald of this great deliverer.  His purpose was to make the path straight for the one (Jesus) who would follow (Isaiah 42:16).  Elijah was taken up into heaven without dying.  Many Jews believed he would return again one day.  In truth he did, but through the ministry of John and not his own.  John’s ministry was filled with hidden purpose.  Even though he knew his purpose from his father’s knee and the Spirit within, he wished to know if Jesus was truly the one who followed (Matthew 11:3-5, Luke 7:19-23).

The reason for John’s doubts (while sitting in prison awaiting death), was that Jesus did not come as a conquering hero in the national sense.  He came to conquer sin and disobedience in the hearts of God’s people.  He came to heal the sick and lame and cleanse lepers.  They were looking for a king who would destroy their enemies.  Jesus came to every man, woman and child on the earth.  He came to love them.  He came to save them.  He was not there for Israel alone and they did not like that fact.  Shortly after hearing Jesus’ response of whether He was the sent one, John faced his greatest test and was beheaded.  His greatest statement of understanding came when he said of Christ, “He must increase and I must decrease (John 3:23-36).”

¹⁸ And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

It does not appear that Zacharias’ question is much different than Mary’s.  Her question was, “How can I have a child without a man?”  His question was, “How can I have a child when I am old?”  In her case it was a question borne of curiosity and wonder.  In his it was borne of many years of apparently failed prayers and sorrow.  She genuinely wanted to know how God would do it.  He appears to be asking, “If my prayers didn’t work when I was strong and virile and my wife in the flower of her youth, how can they now?”  I can imagine that this is quite offensive to the God who said, “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

¹⁹ And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

“I am Gabriel who can do what you cannot and stand in the very presence of God.  I am the messenger of God and He has sent me to speak to you and show you the things to come.”  I don’t believe Gabriel looked like some ordinary guy when God sent him to Zacharias.  Just hearing the name of the Cherub who spoke to Daniel (Daniel 8:16, 9:21) should have sent a thrill through Zacharias’ body.  Only two books in the Bible even mention him.  He is extremely high up in the angelic hierarchy.

²⁰ And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

Why this particular form of chastening?  I believe it is because when someone is in position as a pastor or leader of God’s people they are held to a high standard in teaching.  I also believe it is so he would not be able to speak against the word of God through doubt.  God would allow no interference to hamper the arrival of His Son Jesus.  God, for reasons known only to Him, has chosen to work through flawed human beings.  His decision to use an elder cousin of Mary to bring Christ’s herald necessitated extraordinary measures with Zachariah.  The last portion is a bold pronouncement of faith on the part of Gabriel.