“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. 8 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.” Luke 1.5-10
God is about to do a new thing. This Gospel announces and covers the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. But before we get to Jesus, God prepares the way. To fulfill this holy undertaking, God chooses holy people worthy of carrying out His mission. Elizabeth and Zechariah were such people.
Zechariah was a priest from the division of Abijah, and Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. Luke 1:6 tells us they were “righteous in the sight of God” and “observed all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.” So why wouldn’t God choose them for a holy and righteous work? In this story, He does not choose those who are unholy, sinful, or full of blame, but those who are set apart. Elizabeth and Zechariah were those kinds of people.
God would raise up a young prophet, John the Baptist, and why not do it in a miraculous way—through two older people? (Grok AI suggests they were likely 50–70 years old!) I’m 56, so it’s amusing to be considered “old” by AI! Elizabeth and Zechariah had no children, had been unable to conceive, and, due to their age, it was not going to happen naturally.
Yet God chose this couple. When Zechariah was on duty serving as a priest before God, he was chosen by lot to enter the Holy of Holies. The rest of the story, which we will explore in time, is nothing short of amazing.
I recently completed a season of camps and retreats, including three this summer. It was exhausting. I was often mentally and emotionally drained—after all, I’m not a young man anymore. Yet, for some reason, God chose to use me and a team to complete this work. We are made holy by Jesus for a task: to make disciples. On our own, we are sinful, but through the blood of Jesus, we are made clean.
Elizabeth and Zechariah were the same—people chosen by God to do His work. Their future son, whom they never thought they would have, would usher in God Himself, the Messiah.
You, too, have been chosen if you have surrendered your life to the Lord. He has a purpose for you, whether to minister to thousands or just a few. God is alive, moving, and powerful. He wants to use you to accomplish His purposes for His world and for His divine pleasure.
Will you submit to His will today? Turn from sin and allow the Lord to work through you in power and love.
“O Lord God, You are good and filled with grace. As I reflect on this summer, I am amazed at how You love and redeem Your people. Thank You for the cross of Christ, for making us holy, for filling us with Your Spirit, and for allowing us to be part of Your work. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen