Song of Simeon Luke 2: 21-40

Nunc Dimittis

Luke 2: 21 -40

Introduction

A week has gone by since that first Christmas; angels had filled the night sky over Bethlehem announcing to some shepherds           the birth of the Christ and they running to see their new born King.

Mary has hardly recovered from giving birth and the miraculous occurrences of events saved to her memory banks set in constant replay: the forced journey to Bethlehem, the desperate search for a place to stay and give birth, her labor under the stars, Joseph standing nervously beside her that night.

Irish poet William Yeats captures the scene in, “Mother of God”:  

‘What is this flesh I purchased with my pain,

This fallen star my milk sustains

This love that makes my heart’s blood stop

Or strikes a sudden chill into my bones

And bids my hair stand up?

            Unlike the billions of us in the world who just nod briefly to the memory of Christmas once a year, this young couple would live their entire lives in the unfolding mystery of the incarnation -

            The events Luke records in verses 21 - 40 deepen & confirm significance of the incarnation in the minds of Joseph & Mary & ultimately in the thoughts of the faithful throughout the centuries.

            Specifically the events associated with the baby’s circumcision which brought them deep meditation as they pondered the meaning of the birth of their son.

These same events can help make the wonder of the incarnation as year-long experience for all of us.

The Circumcision (v.21)

 In one short concise sentence Luke describes Christ’s circumcision -

The important thing about Christ being circumcised is that it was a command. In Genesis 17: 11-14; All males, inclusive the servants & foreign born servants brought into Abraham’s household were to be circumcised.

            Jesus could not have identified with His people without being circumcised even though He was of pure Hebrew blood. More significant & of greater importance  was that He would officially be named Jesus — Jehovah is salvation -

            I’m not sure if the average person in the secularized world knows what Jesus means. But for those who do, it is both a claim & a promise. That is why from their lips should come, “Jesus, how sweet the name.”

Jesus, our pronunciation of the Greek Iesus which is from the Hebrew Joshua, the man who succeeded Moses & lead the Israelites into the Promise land.

            In numbers 13:16 Moses gives Hoshea (meaning salvation) the name of Joshua because of his faith & leadership & also suggesting deliverance. The name carries the idea of our being delivered from the bondage of sin by a Mighty God, Isaiah 9:6.

            Let’s consider this: Here’s Mary & Joseph who were each old separately by an angel to name their child Jesus.

            Maybe they discussed this before their son’s birth & the week since, but at the circumcision when Joseph spoke the divinely given name, they had to have had a sense of being overwhelmed.-

            This child shall be called, ‘Jehovah is salvation.’ That’s some kind of a birth memory!

            Jesus - ‘Jehovah is salvation’ - He is my deliverance - This should be part of everyone’s mind set, those who claim Christianity, if not then they really haven’t come to know Him.

            The Christmas name was followed by the knife & the sharp cry of the Son of God & the blood of His circumcision as He fully identified with God’s covenant people.

            The post-Christmas events were the rites of purification & the couples presentation of their baby in the temple a month later.

            This reveals the kind of people to whom Christ comes.

The Purification

            The poverty of Jesus’ parents was obvious - consider the humble offering made for Mary.

            “And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord), “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” (Vv 22-24).

            From Leviticus 12: 6-8 it is clear that the Purification offering must be a yearling lamb, and for the sin offering a pigeon or dove; but if she can’t afford a lamb then two turtle doves or two pigeons - “‘When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. Then he shall offer it before the Lord and make atonement for her, and she shall be cleansed from the [a]flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, whether a male or a female.  But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”

            This humble offering by Mary & Joseph was a public display & declaration of their poverty.

            What we are seeing again, clearly, is that Christianity began & always begins with a spiritual need!

            This was a constant refrain of Christ’s life - The angels revelation song to the outcast shepherds instead of the high & mighty of Israel

            God did not come to the self-sufficient. We need to remind ourselves of this time & time again.

            Understanding Christianity wrongly gives an allusive sense of personal spiritual adequacy -

            Even one born-again can turn spiritual advances into prideful self-sufficiency - a sense that one has arrived, has reached Nirvana.

            Each and everyone must guard continually this in ourselves. Our only adequacy is Christ Jesus! (2 Corinthians 3: 1-5) .

The Presentation (Vv 25-38)

            While Mary & Joseph are in the temple they meet two other israelite; these two exemplify godliness & faith.

            Here enter Simeon & Anna: Simeon is righteous & devout who was waiting for the consolation of Israel.

            Anna is a prophetess, she is advanced in years & some have estimated her age to be probably 103 to 105 - She was a widow for 84 years, depending on her age when she married.

            Both were devoted to God; both were prophets & Simeon’s song is itself a prophecy.

            Both of them filled with expectancy - Simeon is described as a man “waiting the consolation of Israel”. The word found in the Greek Old Testament verses that refer to the Messiah in Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God and 66:13, As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted in Jerusalem.

            Simeon & Anna were both impacted by the expectation of the Messiah, they shared the electric joy.

            They believed when very few others believed in the coming of the Christ.

            They never gave up but kept trusting & looking. They make great examples for us today. They represent all who saw and see today that the only hope is in the mercy & grace of God.

            They are the personification of the paradox of being profoundly empty & at the same time profoundly full. “Blessed are those who hunger & thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied, (Matt.5:6).

            These kinds of lives, longing as they do, is not in fashion in the modern world today – The ideal, and you see it a lot even in “Christian” circles, is the one fulfilling Hemingway’s line in his story “Snows of Kilimanjaro, “You’re the completest man I’ve known.”

            But all need to know that without God all are incomplete & need to ask God to show us our insufficiency. Imagine the grace that would come to all if all prayed for a greater sense of spiritual need?

Psalm 37: 3-5 tells us to trust in the Lord, to delight in Him & He will then give to us those desires; when we commit ourselves to Him, trust in Him –

There was more to Simeon’s soul, v. 26 -  

How long had he been waiting; A few days, a few months, maybe a few or more years? How long are we willing to wait for the Lord to answer us?

He went to the temple each looking at the young couples with their first born and wondering if this is the one. That pair looks like a likely couple. ---- Then one day, he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law ,then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, -- and:

The man of God was as the early church called him, Theodoches – “God receiver” –

Nunc Dimittis, Simeon’s Song

            Simeon holds the baby close, he praises God in song and it lays down for all mankind the purpose of the Christ Child. - Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, … v 29. – he experience a profound peace of soul – he held the Prince of Peace, Isa. 9:6, the one of whom the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.

            God’s favor rested with Simeon & now he was ready to depart, ready to die & go home to be with his God forever.

            His reason was clearly stated, “my eyes have seen your salvation”, not ‘part’ of it, but, Your salvation, Christ, who is totally sufficient. – He is all that we need – Simeon said what Jesus will say some years down the line, “. . . No one comes to the Father but through me,” (John 14:6).

            True peace comes when one understands like Simeon that salvation is Jesus Christ plus nothing.

            It is a universal offer, “. . .  You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” This is very significant for the Gentiles, who are the majority of the world’s population.

            Listen, we were sung about in the Jewish Temple by a prophet as he held the Messiah in his arms.

            He is the light to revelation to us in this dark world while at the same time He is the glory of Israel. Christ, a light to the Gentiles, the full realization of Israel’s glory.

            Holding that baby tightly, think of the joy & ecstasy he felt. – Just think of the joy you feel when holding your baby, your grandchild, your great grandchild –

            His heart was overflowing with joy at the coming of the Redeemer & the fulfillment of God’s personal promise to him. –

            For you, you, for anyone to receive salvation, all you have to do is take Jesus in to your arms as Lord.

            His mother & father marveled at what was said about Him; could we share their profound amazement & hold every word close to our hearts?

The Revelation

            The encounter with Simeon ends with him addressing Mary & Joseph directly – especially Mary. “Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.

            These words are meant for all of us, though the mention of the sword piercing Mary’s soul was meant for her alone. A great sword would go right through this mother’s soul! The most honored woman of all would know great pain!

            The rest of his prophetic words apply to all of us. V. 34a, “This child is appointed for the fall & rising of many.” This reveals the necessary experience of everyone who comes to Christ; all of us have to bow down in humiliation & poverty of spirit before we can rise to new life in Christ. When we see our inadequacy, we then are ready for God’s Grace.

            Jesus truly has been a “sign that is opposed . . . so that many hearts may be revealed, (vv 34b-35a). When people truly encounter Christ, their inner thoughts, that is, their evil thoughts are seen for what they are. Apart from God’s merciful intervention, people naturally oppose Him. Christ reveals what our inner lives are really like. Human goodness is seen as filthy rags - all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. (Isaiah 64:6).

            But when we fall before Him in humiliation, we receive grace & a new life. Jesus knocks us down so He can pick us up.

Closing Thoughts, Reflections

            Think of what was going through Mary & Joseph’s minds. Their baby, whose name is “Jehovah is Salvation”, was and is a mighty deliverer. He delivers us through the heroics of the incarnation & the cross. This has to give us Christmas joy year round.

            Jehovah is Salvation, also known as Jesus, is the ultimate hero of heroes.

            the ultimate hero of heroes.; from Mary’s Magnificat v.53.

            Jesus Christ is the whole of salvation; not one of the ways to it. It is Jesus Christ alone; this realization brings peace to all who hold to Him.

            We come to new life as He brings us to the end of ourselves & then raises us to new life.

            We can say with Paul,   (Gal. 2:20).

            Reflecting on that, the spiritual life we have in Christ will help experience Christ day by day.

The Magnificat Luke 1: 46-55

"When The Time Has Fully Come"

<The Magnificat >

Luke 1:46-55

Introduction

            The unborn child jumped for joy in the darkness of Elizabeth's womb as he responded to the presence of the unborn Christ in Mary.

            The happy leap he made was prophetic of his life's mission in heralding Jesus as God's Son and Messiah -

            Elizabeth who as also filled with the Holy S[irit showed her prophetic cry in celebrating the divine person in Mary's womb.

            Mary then begins to sing the song of the incarnation – There would be other's that would follow: The Benedictus by Zachariah, the hosts of heaven would sing Gloria In Altissimus, & Simeon, the Nunc Dimitis

            Mary's song is the first & greatest – The Magnificat -

Many critics, because of the greatness of this song, have said the the song couldn't have brrn sung by Mary because it's too theological, too packed with Old Testament allusions, too poetic, too finished.

            Look, she is only an illiterate country girl, a very young teenager, having no formal studies she never went to a seminary.

            The theory is that Luke borrowed from existing canticles that praised the saving actions of God.

            There's more suppositions but we don't have the time to cover them all and besides for the purpose of today's message they're not all that important.

            The Magnificat is a beautifully woven tapestry of Scripture. Critics are correct about one thing – it is sublimely theological!

            Every young Israelite knew by heart the song of Hannah & Deborah & David, and sang them. Many would have brooded over the story of Hannah's conception of Samuel – She probably formed her song in the forms of those familiar to her.

            Keep in mind that Mary was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Her experience was like the prophets of old, she was carrying the Son of the Most High -

            Peter in his second letter, in 1: 20-21  we read, “know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

            Her mind was full of the Scripture & phraseology from what she heard ay home & synagogue – So, when the Holy Spirit came upon her, He took what she had & wove it into this hallowed tapestry.

            Mary starts her song – she gives an unforgettable expression to the elevation of her soul.

            God can't be made any bigger but He can be enlarged in our hearts, in our lives – as Mary puts it, our soul and spirits.

            God can't be made any bigger but He can be enlarged in out hearts, our lives – As many put it, our soul make

            We enlarge God in our soul's in our souls when we contemplate, meditate some aspect of His greatness.

            How about when we contemplate the wonders of His creation - “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Forby Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. Heis before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is alsohead of the body, the church; and He is the beginning the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

(Colossians 1: 15-18)

            After the announcement by Gabriel & her subsequent visit to Elizabeth, had begun to think bigger & grander thoughts then before. What He was doing in her womb, what more would He do in the universe.

            When Christ comes into our lives, His life courses through us – we naturally begin to think greater things of our God.

            Not only only do we magnify, enlarge, the Lord in our minds & our lips but also with the passion of our whole being.

            Mary speaks in Hebrew poetic parallelism saying, her soul magnifies the Lord & my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

            Its a powerful emotional combination in saying “My total self, all that I am, magnifies & praises the Lord.”

            Two lines from the lyrics of John Legend's song, “All of Me” could be fitting; 'Cause all of me loves all of you' -

            This is significant, when Jesus began His ministry he sais as recorded in John 4: 23-24 – But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

            Worshiping in spirit; Jesus means the inner spirit, the inner person – God seeks those who will worship, engaging their entire human spirits.

            The woman in Bethany comes to mind as a supreme example of this as we find in Mark14:3 - there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. Her entire human spirit, her total self, 'all of her, was given over to the passionate worship of the Lord Jesus Chrsit.

            Just go back a 1,000 years- King David danced before the Lord totally absorbed in worship of the Lord, (2 Samuel 6:16), and in Psal108: 1 - My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul.

            Magnify the Lord with our entire spirit & soul – That's what the Lord desires in our live. - Deuteronomy 6:5, “You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all your soul, and with all of your might.”

            This also is what God desires in our corporate worship. Congregational worship makes possible an intensity of magnification that won't occur as in individual worship. Music lovers at a symphony or at a Christian concert is more intense & appreciative than of a single listener at home.

            Corporate worship provides a context where holy passion is joyously elevated & God's word comes with unque power to the hearts of all there.

            Martin Luther wrote that in his home there is no vigor, warmth but when he's in church with the multitude gathered, there's a fire in his heart and it breaks through.

Mary's personal reasons (Vv 48-5-)

            For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave, (v48a) - The first reason would be an allusion to Hannah, in 1 Samuel 1:11) – weeping bitterly she said to the Lord if You will indeed look to the affliction of Your maidservant – Affliction is also translated as 'humble state' which is what Luke uses.

            Mary in heart was like Hannah, both who humbly cast themselves upon God as the only one who can help. Up close we see the principle that Christ comes to those who realize their need, those who know they can't save themselves..l

            The humble, marginalized Mary, a nobody from a non-place.

            Aurelius Augustine, known better as Saint Augustine who  is considered the greatest theologian by many, said that, “For those who would learn God's ways, humility is the first thing, humility is the second, & humility is the third.”

            Humility is a necessary common thread in the Nativity accounts & in much of Scripture, for Christ comes to the lowly. He He doesn't come to major department stores during Christmas, nor ride in limos with the rich & famous; He was born to an ordinary young woman in a peasant nothing obscure village in an obscure part of Israel.

            Is all this negative to look at all of this this way? No! It's divinely positive – the grace of humility, divine favor that comes to those who acknowledge that spiritual need is available to all of us. Especially to those who are “. . . broken hearted . . . & crushed in spirit”\. All that are aware of their humb le state may have this gift of God.

Her Blessedness (v 48b)

            . . . behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. Here we got a statement by her that all future generations will pronounce beatitudes over her name.

            Did you know that Mary is the most popular name in the Western world? It has been blessed more than any other name.

            But listen, if Jesus truly is in us, our inner being, we too will blessed far beyond earth's history: In Matthew 25:33-34, and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; and in Revelation 20:6a, Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

            How about a little more? We will bear a resemblance to Jesus – 1 John 3:2, Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

            Our resemblance isn't going to be genetic, but spiritual, a “spiritual DNA” - His character, his purity, his heart. This is the ultimate blessedness and just as it was fitting for May to praise God for her future fame, we too should magnify our Savior for our eternal blessedness and eternal fame with God.

A Divine Celebration (Vv 49-50)

            “For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name. “And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him. Mary sings of three Divine perfections of God. His power, His holiness, and His Mercy.

            Mary experienced God's power at conception when the power of the most hgh overshadowed her. She carried the One identified in Isaiah 9:6 by the second Messianic title as Mighty God (El Gibbor), mighty hero God. Jesus would engage in mighty heroics & eventually, resurrection power. Mary's confession of God as “He who is mighty” is in anticipation of the Gospel principle that what is impossible for man, is possible for God.

            God does the impossible, He moves hearts of stone and replaces them with hearts that are living, He raises the dead. That is why we must say with Paul - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

            She was the first to know that the Son she bore would be holy; Gabriel instructed her on this carefully, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God , (V35)).

            She praises God by saying “Holy is His name”, God's holiness more than any other attribute describes His essence. The angles sing, Holy, Holy, Holy! Mary has a fresh, invigorating revelation of the Divine Being.

           

            So should we when we experience Christ is us. Regenration ignites our understanding of God's holiness. The Spirit informs us of His purity & holy splendor, & our hearts bow before Him in adoration.

            Mary sees that God's mercy will extend to all generations, (V50), God's mercy will transcend time. English cleric & poet, John Donne who lived from 1572 to 1631 said of God's mercy – God's mercy hath no relation to time, no limitation in time. . . . Whom God loves He loves to the end; and not only to their end, to their death, but to His end; and He end is, that He might love them still.

            Mary sings of three divine perfections – poer, holiness, & mercy – yet it is mercy that brings them to bear on God's own.

Closing thoughts

            Why did Mary maginfy the Lord?  One, He came to her in her “humble estate. God met her in her helplessness & weakness. This is how God comes to us. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, (Matt. 5:3); The Lord is near to the brokenhearted & saves the crushed in spirit, (Psalm 34:18).

            For this we magnify the Lord.

            Second, Mary magnified the Lord because “all generations will call her blessed” (V48). Believers have this destiny & beatitude as well. Rev. 20:6, Blessed & holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Here also we magnify the Lord.

            And last, Mary magnified the Lord because she experienced His perfections; His power, holiness, & mercy as she experienced Christ within – These also are ours when Christ is in us.

            Listen all, God is looking for, He is seeking hearts like Mary, children who magnify Him, who enlarge Him in their souls & on their lips with the passion of their entire beings.

            As God told Israel to say, The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. (Deut. 6:4-6).

            So Mary sings, My soul magnifies the Lord, & my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

            Let us all have the same heart. In this time of year when the world, whether they realize it or not, celebrate the incarnation of God, who came to save any & all who will come to him, rejoice for salvation has come. All of you that down, weary, brokenhearted, alone, no matter how horrible you think are or what you have done, God so loved the world He created that He gave His only one-of-a-kind-unique Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

            Hail! the heaven-born Prince of peace!

Hail! the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die: Born to raise the son of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!"

            

The Annunciations Part II The Christ

El Precursor - The Forerunner

The Annunciations Part I The Forerunner

"When The Time Has Fully Come"

<The Annunciations, (Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind?)>

Part 1 - "The Forerunner" -

Luke 1:5-25; Malachi 4: 2-6; Isaiah 40: 3, 5;

Galatians 4: 4; Daniel 9: 24-27

Introduction

            Throughout the centuries, men sent by God pointed to a time in the future when the promise made in the Garden of Eden would be fulfilled. That promise was the first mention of the Good News given by God of the Messiah. Gen. 3: 15 - I’m declaring war between you and the Woman, between your offspring and hers. He’ll wound your head, you’ll wound his heel.” (Msg).

            The Messiah came at a time which Paul writes, in his letter to the Galatians as when, the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, (v4).

            There is always the question as to why Jesus was born when He was in the 1^st century. By human reasoning things occurring during the 1^st century made it ideal for Christ to come:

            One- Rome unified much of the world, from Rome east to Parthia, Syria, north to Gaul, west to Iberia (Spain) and further north to Britain.

            Two- This made much of the known world relatively peaceful and her network of roads made travel easy & therefore the spread of the gospel.

            Three- There was a common language for trade and business, the common Greek, (different from the classical Greek), making it easier to communicate the gospel to many, many people through this one common language. Much as English is almost worldwide because of the time of the British Empire.

            Four- The Roman Army stationing soldiers in the outlying provinces brought the gospel to these provinces – Briton was introduced to the Gospel by Roman soldiers stationed there.

            But all of this is man looking at the conditions at that time & speculating on why at that particular point in time it was good for Christ to be sent. These may or may not have been some of the reasons why He chose this particular time for sending Christ.

           

Isaiah 55: 8-9 says – That our thoughts are not God’s thoughts and that His ways are not our ways; that His ways & thoughts are higher as the heavens are, than our ways & thoughts.

One thing we can be sure of, and that is Christ came when He did, in fulfillment of a specific prophecy. Daniel 9: 24-27 is the prophecy of the “seventy weeks. In the message of March 9, 2015 titled “Look Your King is Coming” we calculated Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as being by our calendar April 6, 32 AD, or 10^th of Nisan 32 AD.

Count back some 33 and a half years you come to the approximate time when Christ was born and can know the historical occurrences of that time.

Gospel According to Luke

Luke’s Gospel is one of the finest historical writings in all of ancient history. I’m not going to go into detail as to why this is so; we’ll leave that for another time. I will say this much, Sir William Ramsey, awarded the noble Prize for chemistry in 1904 and a skeptic of Luke’s history, eventually changed his mind after reading the facts, wrote, “Luke’s history is unsurpassed in regards to its trustworthiness.” Luke crossed all his t’s and dotted all his i’s.

For the next four Sunday’s this season of advent we’ll cover the beginning of this period of which Paul calls or says of it, “When time fully came.”

The Prophecy

            In verse 78 of chapter 1, Luke records the words of Malachi the sunrise shall visit us from on high- Before that sunrise it had been a long and dark night –

Malachi assured those who loved God that the sun of righteousness would rise with healing in its wings and that they like calves would go out leaping from the stalls.

Really a cool metaphor for those raised on a farm, or think of toddler’s when all they can do is jump for joy when they are happy or see something that excites them.

Before Malachi’s writing, Isaiah had promised, prophesized that before the glory of the Lord would be revealed, there would be one who would come crying – “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (40:3).

Similarly Malachi wrote in his final words to his prophecy, “I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord.”

            Now four hundred years have passed since the Lord spoke to the people a word of prophecy – or a sign of a prophet of God – But the long dark night was about to end, dawn was closing in on the horizon.

The Annunciation, Part 1, The Forerunner

            The characters in this marvelous play – Zechariah a country priest, his wife Elizabeth, and the extraterrestrial messenger of God, Gabriel.

            Zechariah an ordinary country priest, and it is always amazing to me how God seems to always pick whom we think as being the least qualified to do a something that is above-and-beyond.

            Zechariah means “God remembers” was a popular priestly name and in this case it would prove to be dramatically prophetic. Elizabeth was also of priestly descent and was named after Aaron’s wife, which is also a preferred name for a priest’s wife. They were both righteous before God; beautiful people in God’s sight. Not that they were sinless, but they conformed to God’s law. Their home, we can pretty much be sure, enjoyed the happiness where both husband & wife are righteous except for one thing – the couple has not been able to have children.

Infertility in any culture is an aching disappointment & for some almost an unbearable stress, especially in the ancient Hebrew culture. Baroness carried a moral stigma & in Jewish thinking it was not the fate of the righteous, (Lev. 20: 20, 21). You can rest assure that Elizabeth more than likely suffered smug reproach. We are told they were advanced in years & natures planned obsolesces had taken its course, & there was no hope. They more than likely never heard of Hippocrates who said it perfectly, “A man, when his growth is over, is dry & cold.” They were, I’m sure, familiar with what Abraham said when, “falling flat on his face. And then he laughed, thinking, “Can a hundred-year-old man father a son? And can Sarah, at ninety years, have a baby?” (Gen. 17:17).

So then the fountains of maternity were dry, the spotted worn hands would never hold a child of their own. And now you know why grandparents love their grand-babies……

The Occasion

The Mishnah says that before each of the two daily services, four sets of lots were used to determine the participants. Zechariah’s division, the one he was in, Abijah, served two one week periods per year. Each division had 300 priest & 56 were chosen by lot to participate each day. So when Zechariah’s division was serving and the lots were cast, one of the lots fell to him to enter the Temple & burn incense. The honor of offering burning incense was the grandest event in his earthly existence. There were many priests who never had the privilege & no priest was allowed to offer it more than once.

Think of how thrilling this must been for him. Here he stands in the court of the priest where the sacrifice would be made – then comes the moment when he steps into the Holy Place. There to his front is the embroidered curtain of the Holy of Holies, to his left is the table of showbread, immediately to his front is the horned altar of incense, and to his right the golden candlestick. He purified the altar & waits with joy for the signal to offer the incense so that the sacrifices went up to God wrapped in incense of prayer ---

The Close Encounter

As the fragrance rose, suddenly it all spasm’d in divine arrest – when “Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense. Zachariah was paralyzed in fear. (Luke 1:11 - Msg).

There is no indication if the angel was in the conventional image of a man, or whether it assumed a dramatic form like the pyrotechnic display of the angel of the Lord in Judges 13:19-23.

The angel’s appearance to Zechariah had to be dramatic because he was paralyzed in fear.

There may be a parallel drawn by Luke under the guidance of the Holy Spirit between this encounter and Daniel’s encounter with the angel Gabriel. Gabriel appeared to Daniel at the time of the evening sacrifice, (Dan. 9: 20-21) & now he appears to Zechariah probably at the time of the sacrifice. Daniel falls face down to the ground (8: 17) & Zechariah matched his terror, (1:12). Daniel was rendered temporarily speechless as would be Zechariah. Daniel’s encounter & vision had to do with future revelation of Messianic times & Zechariah’s encounter with Gabriel signaled the dawn of Messianic times.

For now, the eastern sky had assumed a pre-dawn glow and in a moment messianic fulfillment would light the Jewish landscape.

Prophecy Given (vv 13-20)

Gabriel comforted him, telling him not to be afraid “that his prayer was heard”- There are some who think that he had been praying for a son, but because he didn’t comprehend and didn’t believe when told he would have a son, more than likely he ws praying for the redemption of Israel.

Whichever may be the case; Gabriel spoke, & prophecy that had ceased, occurred for the first time in 400 years.

Zechariah is told a bombshell; his wife Elizabeth will bear him a son and they are going to name him John, Yohanna, which means “God is gracious”, or “God has shown favor.”

Zechariah’s prayer in the Temple & possibly also the people outside, their prayers had been offered for favor and or grace & they were heard. A son will be born and will be named “God has been gracious”.

The Character of this Son

A beautiful joyous description of the son is given by Gabriel – He would bring joy to his parents & to the public because of his inner greatness of soul.

The Baptist would have a great heart – Jesus will say of him, “Let me tell you what’s going on here: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer (Msg); I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. (ESV).- (Matt. 11:11)

His Spiritual Formation

Verse 15b tells us he would be a Nazarite, a man set apart to be especially devoted to God. – There is one thing I found interesting while studying this & in v15c it says he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. Biblical scholars Joseph Fitzmyer, S.J. & John Nolland, Anglican priest, have shown the grammar & context demand the meaning to be “while still in the womb.” It just gives more umph as to when life begins……

The Ministry

Gabriel then prophesied the effect of their son-to-be’s ministry: He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God,¹⁷ and he will 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. Gabriel quotes in part Malachi’s final verse to summarize his ministry, (Mal. 4: 5-6).

Elijah had denounced the apostasy of his own people – withstood the pagan prophets of Baal, God reigned down fire on his behalf – The Baptist would minister in the same power & spirit.

Jesus said to His disciples, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Just picture again old Zechariah serving in the Temple, offering his prayers for the redemption of Israel, it’s the grandest day of his life when suddenly a supernatural being appears to him –

Talk about Cardiac terror!! And on top of that, the being speaks!

Gabriel invoked the final lines of the Old Testament as the script of this son-to-be regarding his character, is spiritual formation & his ministry – (Mal. 4:1-6)

The Response

Gabriel waits for Zechariah’s response – there is a lesson here for everyone – Zechariah responded in unbelief, v18 - said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.

Should he have doubted? Before we come down to hard on him remember we are on this side of the resurrection – Hindsight is 20/20.

But listen, Zechariah was, as we should be also, familiar with Scripture, he was a priest, not an atheist – we too should be familiar with Scripture – He knew of divine intervention – Isaac, Samson, Samuel – If God did it then, He could do it again – Can He do it today? Intervene?

As a priest he was a man of God noted for piety & faith, “a righteous man”.

Confronted by a being he knew to be supernatural, (thus his terror), so he knew it was a message from God.

But he disobeyed – And Gabriel reacted decisively to his doubt. (vv19-20).

Gabriel’s emphatic words, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. May have been to shame Zechariah rejecting the good news, or Gabriel’s annoyed that a human would disbelieve a word coming directly from the throne of God.

Either way, the penalty for man’s unbelief was fitted for the offense. Zechariah’s tongue which uttered unbelief would now be silent for nine months – A good time to reflect on the situation.

Elizabeth Concieves

Elizabeth, her old body experienced maternal bloom in fulfillment of God’s promise- Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people. (v25).

The true sunrise won’t come until the birth of Jesus, from this moment on, the small rays of light will break through the dark of the dawn.

My friend Larry Galati videoed the sunrise at the beach in Panama; it took a while but when he showed it in time lapse, it was beautiful as the colors changed from blackness through the hues as the rays of the sun rose over the horizon and then you saw the round globe of the sun as it rose and it was nothing but bright light.

Zechariah & Elizabeth will host, in six months, the young mother-to-be of the Son of God & nurture her faith.

They will hear her sing the Magnificat – And Zechariah would one day sing his song of faith, The Benedictus.

In Closing

Think of the stupendous spiritual events that were on the horizon – all leading to the birth of the Messiah who would die for our sins & give to us for our asking eternal life.

Jesus’ words as recorded are very clear: Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. - They said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God; that you believe in him whom he has sent. (John 5:24; 6:28-29 respectively)