Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
—Luke 1:5-13
by: Andrew J. Camenga.
Zechariah was a man of whom we can accurately say, "He was blameless and righteous." He must have known God, served God, and loved God. Yet, neither he nor his wife was content with the world as it stood-they wanted a change. The text makes it clear that Elizabeth and he had been pleading with God. While we do not exactly know what their petition was (it may have been for the return of Elijah), God heard the request and provided a messenger to let them know that the answer was coming. Are we ready for God to make the changes for which we ask?
In the midst of his sacred responsibilities, at a time when we would most expect Zechariah to be aware of the presence and possibilities of the power of God in this world, we discover that he was taken aback by-afraid of-the presence of God's messenger. Have the ever-present circumstances of our senses dulled the expectation of God's breaking into our current history with news of his activity?