But the angel reassured him, “Don’t fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You’re going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you — many will delight in his birth. He’ll achieve great stature with God. Luke 1: 13-15
What a way to cheer somebody up and fill them with joy by giving them some good news. We are looking at a devoted couple who have been true followers of God. The Bible says they were godly, devout people but childless. When you read into the story we discover they were both getting on a bit in years and childless (Luke 1:7) and although they had prayed for a family their prayers to date had not been answered. If you have ever been in the position of having unanswered prayers you’ll know it can be a bit frustrating and you begin to imagine all sorts of things and ask the question why.
The situation was about to change for this couple, although Zechariah may have been a bit sceptical at the time and made his thoughts known to Gabriel things really were about to change. It wasn’t just the surprise meeting with the angel Gabriel, it was also Zechariah doing a job in the temple he didn’t expect to be doing. Luke records (1:8–9) that it was Zechariah’s turn to enter the temple and burn incense as part of his priestly duties. To be in the holy place at the altar of incense must have been awesome to him. After all we are looking at a once-in-a-lifetime honour and a good indication of great Joy! Can you imagine him being there and absorbing all of what was going on?
Enter the angel Gabriel and stands to the right of the alter, a place of honour and authority. Gabriel begins to reassure him that his prayers about Elizabeth bearing a child are about to be answered. I love how the Message puts it! You’re going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you—many will delight in his birth. He’ll achieve great stature with God.
The great joy returns to Zechariah and Elizabeth for their prayers were being answered. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin once wrote: “Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.”
Don’t give up, keep going. As we move through the season of advent let us look forward to the joy the birth of the Lord Jesus will bring.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing,