When Zechariah got his voice back, he got it thoroughly! Perhaps he'd been saving up. Luke tells us that he was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke a prophecy. Prophecy, in the biblical understanding, is not fortune telling or "predicting" the future. It is speaking or communicating the word of God. And Zechariah is here celebrating what God is doing. In fact, in a sense, he is announcing the redemption of the people as though it is already accomplished. God has redeemed the people, God has raised up a mighty savior...it is both being done and already accomplished.
As is common on the part of those who "prophecy" in the Bible, part of what Zechariah says is a reflection upon the history of God with the people of Israel. In the past God spoke through the mouth of the prophets to say that the people would be saved from their enemies. God had show mercy and made promises to their ancestors. God has "remembered" the covenant.
An interesting way of phrasing things in the bible is to say that God "remembered" a promise, etc. This is a very human way of putting things. If we were speaking of a human being, we would think that there'd been a memory lapse, something we wouldn't apply to God. In this sense it is reflecting the reality that God is acting on the covenant. It may carry some human emotion over a feeling that time has passed and the situation is difficult.
The promise Zechariah relates is general, not mentioning the Romans or specific nations, but that the promise to Abraham (the ancestor of the Israelites) is that the people would be rescued from the hands of their enemies and could serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness. Zechariah is delighted that his child, John, will be called the prophet of the Lord and would go forward to prepare the Lord's way. His concluding words (Luke 1:78-9) evoke a feeling of John's words about light (John 1).
After Zechariah's words, we are simply told that the child grew up, and was in the wilderness until appearing publicly to Israel. Luke relays a similiar statement about Jesus (Luke 2:40).
What do you suppose these words meant to Zechariah himself? Was he still expecting a great military leader, such as most Israelites expected from the Messiah? Being delivered from one's enemies could be taken that way.
He speaks about God's light breaking upon us and giving light to those who sit in darkness. Was he thinking only of Israelites?
This is the season of Epiphany, with its symbolism of light, and with the Wise Men being symbols of the light also appearing to the Gentile non-Israelites. What would Zechariah have thought about the light coming to Gentiles, even the enemy?
Zechariah's words conclude with being guided into the way of peace. Peace can mean different things to different people. What do you think God's definition of peace would be like?
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Luke 1:57-66
The birth of John can't have been easy for Elizabeth, for she was older than a new mother usually was. She had (Luke 1:24) remained in seclusion for much of the pregnancy. We aren't told why, but we can speculate. She may have wanted to avoid speculation. She might have felt unwell. She might have wanted to sit and ponder this amazing thing that was happening. Her comment indicates that she had felt judged negatively by her friends, family and neighbors for the fact that she hadn't had a child. Now she is vindicated, but until the child comes, she must have felt vulnerable. Then John arrives. Neighbors and relatives attribute it to God and they rejoice.
The eighth day was the day of circumcision. "They" (rabbi, friends, relatives?) were going to name the child Zechariah after his father. But Elizabeth said to call him John. Remember that Zechariah has been mute since his time in the temple. Had he communicated with Elizabeth that the child should be called John? Or did she also come up with the name and now it was Zechariah's opportunity to confirm it? We don't know, but the folks who'd gathered for the circumcision thought it strange because none of their relatives was called John. So they motioned to Zechariah to find out what he wanted. He wrote down that the child's name would be John and at that point his voice was released and he praised God.
Fear came over the neighbors at this event and it became an object of much discussion. Everyone who heard the story wondered what this child would become.
Are all children signs of God's mercy and love? Prayers for all who are not treated as such.
The reaction of Zechariah had been fearful in the temple and the events of John's birth caused fear among the neighbors.
What kind of fear was it?
How are awe and fear similar?
How would modern people react in similar circumstances?
The eighth day was the day of circumcision. "They" (rabbi, friends, relatives?) were going to name the child Zechariah after his father. But Elizabeth said to call him John. Remember that Zechariah has been mute since his time in the temple. Had he communicated with Elizabeth that the child should be called John? Or did she also come up with the name and now it was Zechariah's opportunity to confirm it? We don't know, but the folks who'd gathered for the circumcision thought it strange because none of their relatives was called John. So they motioned to Zechariah to find out what he wanted. He wrote down that the child's name would be John and at that point his voice was released and he praised God.
Fear came over the neighbors at this event and it became an object of much discussion. Everyone who heard the story wondered what this child would become.
Are all children signs of God's mercy and love? Prayers for all who are not treated as such.
The reaction of Zechariah had been fearful in the temple and the events of John's birth caused fear among the neighbors.
What kind of fear was it?
How are awe and fear similar?
How would modern people react in similar circumstances?
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Luke 1:21-25
When Zechariah came out of the temple unable to speak, the people knew he'd seen a vision. He remained in Jerusalem to complete his time of service as a priest, then returned home.
What would it be like to be in silence? He couldn't tell others of his vision. They didn't have American Sign Language back then. Parchment was too precious to use it to write down his story. His silence must have forced Zechariah into concerted thought.
In a world of television, radio, computers, planes, phones, autos and the buzz of countless machines and electronics, silence is a rare commodity. How can we learn from Zehcariah's lesson?
More in the new year!
What would it be like to be in silence? He couldn't tell others of his vision. They didn't have American Sign Language back then. Parchment was too precious to use it to write down his story. His silence must have forced Zechariah into concerted thought.
In a world of television, radio, computers, planes, phones, autos and the buzz of countless machines and electronics, silence is a rare commodity. How can we learn from Zehcariah's lesson?
More in the new year!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Luke 1:10-20
Zechariah's big moment comes. He's been chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to offer the incense. Outside, everyone is praying. What a spiritual experience! To enter this place alone, to feel in community with God. Then he sees an angel. Today, in more skeptical times, some people in his shoes might ask, "just what is in that incense?" But Zechariah is a man of faith; he knows it is an angel, but that doesn't stop him from being terrified. After all, ordinary human goodness can't stand up to sheer holiness. Did he wonder about his sins? Did he think his human failings had now caught up with him? Or was he too scared to think about anything?
The angel told him not to be afraid (probably didn't make Zechariah unafraid, but the angel tried). What Zechariah hears is not bad news, not a judgement on his faults or failings. Instead, the longing prayer of his heart would be answered. He and Elizabeth would have a son and he ws to name that son, John. John was to live a holy life and would fulfill a holy purpose to turn many people back to God.
But Zechariah must have doubted. He was in good company. When Abraham and Sarah heard they were to have a child at an advanced aged, Sarah laughed until the tent shook and Abraham fell on his face with laughter--or joy, or a little of both. And God told them to name their son Isaac, which means mirth. Gabriel may have been a little less patient, or perhaps there were other reasons, but because Zechariah had doubted, he was told that he would be mute until the day the promise was fulfilled.
Have you ever heard good news when you may have expected bad?
How did you respond?
Do you think silence might have been helpful to Zechariah as he considered all the things the angel had told him?
The angel told him not to be afraid (probably didn't make Zechariah unafraid, but the angel tried). What Zechariah hears is not bad news, not a judgement on his faults or failings. Instead, the longing prayer of his heart would be answered. He and Elizabeth would have a son and he ws to name that son, John. John was to live a holy life and would fulfill a holy purpose to turn many people back to God.
But Zechariah must have doubted. He was in good company. When Abraham and Sarah heard they were to have a child at an advanced aged, Sarah laughed until the tent shook and Abraham fell on his face with laughter--or joy, or a little of both. And God told them to name their son Isaac, which means mirth. Gabriel may have been a little less patient, or perhaps there were other reasons, but because Zechariah had doubted, he was told that he would be mute until the day the promise was fulfilled.
Have you ever heard good news when you may have expected bad?
How did you respond?
Do you think silence might have been helpful to Zechariah as he considered all the things the angel had told him?
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Luke 1:5-9
This is the story of Zechariah. He was a good man. He and his wife, Elizabeth had tried hard to live according the the commandments of God. Their one sorrow was the factthat they had no children. Elizabath may have been barren. It was usually the wife who was considered infertile, although they had no way of knowing who was unable to mother/father a child. At the time this story begins, both husband and wife were older and had probably given up hope of a family.
Zechariah was a priest. The priests served a month of the year. Individual priests were chosen by lot (similar to the idea of throwing dice or cutting cards) to be the ones who would offer the incense in the sanctuary. Unlike today when most people refer to the entire worship area as the sanctuary, the sanctuary in the temple was a secluded space where few people entered.
It must have been fulfilling for Zechariah to be chosen to enter the sanctuary. God was generally considered to have something to do with the lot falling upon a man, so it was a sign that Zechariah had found approval. Yet not having a child was often considered a mark of disfavor by God. So he may also have been confused. He knew his wife to be a good woman. Here he was favored by lot to offer incense to the Lord, yet why didn't they have a child?
Such questions are like the hardest questions people ask about faith and God. Why do people suffer? Especially, why do good people suffer? Why do innocents like children suffer?
What do you think Zechariah was feeling as he entered the sanctuary?
How do you ask those questions of God?
Zechariah was a priest. The priests served a month of the year. Individual priests were chosen by lot (similar to the idea of throwing dice or cutting cards) to be the ones who would offer the incense in the sanctuary. Unlike today when most people refer to the entire worship area as the sanctuary, the sanctuary in the temple was a secluded space where few people entered.
It must have been fulfilling for Zechariah to be chosen to enter the sanctuary. God was generally considered to have something to do with the lot falling upon a man, so it was a sign that Zechariah had found approval. Yet not having a child was often considered a mark of disfavor by God. So he may also have been confused. He knew his wife to be a good woman. Here he was favored by lot to offer incense to the Lord, yet why didn't they have a child?
Such questions are like the hardest questions people ask about faith and God. Why do people suffer? Especially, why do good people suffer? Why do innocents like children suffer?
What do you think Zechariah was feeling as he entered the sanctuary?
How do you ask those questions of God?
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
John 7:37‐39; Acts 2:1‐13
Read John 7:37‐39; Acts 2:1‐13 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?
John 7:37‐39
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyonewho is thirsty come to me, 38and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” 39Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Acts 2:1‐13
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Reflect
In light of the last 50 days and these Pentecost texts, Answer these questions as you are able for yourself, your congregation, your circuit, your district and our Annual Conference:
Who are you (we)?
What do you (we) have?
In my (our) context, what matters to God?
Respond
Identify next steps given your reflections and using the simple framework below.
Pray that God would multiply our fire, faith and fruitfulness so that the faith communities in the California‐Nevada Annual Conference might become a movement of God’s mission in the world.
John 7:37‐39
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyonewho is thirsty come to me, 38and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” 39Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Acts 2:1‐13
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Reflect
In light of the last 50 days and these Pentecost texts, Answer these questions as you are able for yourself, your congregation, your circuit, your district and our Annual Conference:
Who are you (we)?
What do you (we) have?
In my (our) context, what matters to God?
Respond
Identify next steps given your reflections and using the simple framework below.
Pray that God would multiply our fire, faith and fruitfulness so that the faith communities in the California‐Nevada Annual Conference might become a movement of God’s mission in the world.
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