“Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1.8-17
Zechariah was in the right place at the right time, selected as the right person for the right job. Ironically, the job wasn’t his to hold. Zechariah’s role wasn’t to prepare the way but to prepare the one who would prepare the way. Although Zechariah had center stage at that moment in the Temple, he was to step aside for the one who would step aside for the One who would truly take center stage!
Zechariah’s role was to have a son and raise him in a godly manner so that he might prepare the way for the Messiah. This prophecy was years in the making—since the beginning of time, really. Isaiah foretold of the Christ in chapter 9: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.” Again in chapter 11: “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding.” And in chapter 52: “despised and rejected by mankind,” “pierced for our transgressions,” and “by his wounds we are healed.” Zechariah was helping fulfill what God had planned for a millennium.
Yet Zechariah’s task was significant. He had to ensure John was raised righteously—never touching wine or fermented drink, filled with the Holy Spirit from birth, and preparing the way for the Lord, Messiah Jesus. Zechariah’s part was crucial.
What does this say about those of us who want to be used by God? We, too, are filled with His Holy Spirit when we believe. We, too, can be used by God when we trust His ways and submit to His will. We may not have the honor of preparing for the Messiah directly, but we can help prepare the way by telling others about Him. Although the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18), it is the power of God “for us who are being saved.” We fall into the same line as Zechariah, John, and Jesus. We pass down the gift of salvation when we proclaim the good news of the gospel.
Will you, like Zechariah, hear and respond to God’s voice today? Will you fear the angel but carry out the mission of helping turn people’s hearts back to the Lord? It’s a glorious task for the glory of God.
“O Lord God, what You are allowing me to do is beautiful. I feel like I could stop now, and I would have accomplished so much for You. The impact of Your gospel, the movement of Your Spirit, and the power of Your grace to radically save lives are glorious. Thank You, Lord, for the time You have given me and for how You are using me to communicate Your Word. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with Your love. Help me find my strength in You, for You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.