Do you believe the word of God?

Luke 1:18-20, 34-38

The book of Luke was written by Luke, the beloved Physician (Col 4:14) to Theophilus just as the book of Acts. Luke open’s the book by making clear that the purpose was to give an accurate historical account of the teachings and events in the life of Jesus. This is to affirm the very foundation upon which Christianity is based. That foundation is that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, the Son of God. Theophilus was probably a government official as the term “excellent” was often used for that in the Roman society to show respect.

                Zechariah was a priest of the priestly division of Abijah. He and his wife Elizabeth were descendants of Aaron; hence Levites. Both of them were blameless and obedient to the commandments of God, but without sin (Ro 3:9,10,23). Elizabeth suffered all kinds of embarrassments a Jewish woman could have if she could not have children. Normally they were praying for the blessings of the womb.

                The day came when it was Zechariah’s time to burn incense in the temple; and the angel of the Lord appeared to him while the worshippers were praying outside.

   1)      When God’s message comes to a righteous man he trembles

Zechariah realized he was in the presence of a heavenly being. So his response was fear because Gabriel was God’s representative (Lk 2:9). “ Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife will bear you a son whom you’ll call John…”

                The message was heavy and a message of Joy. The son will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.

                I now see why Jesus our Lord said amongst all the prophets John the Baptist is the greatest (Mtt 11:11). But John did not work any miraculous wonders, but he had a miraculous relationship with God from the time of conception. Some of us think that great prophets or great men of God are those with great miracles. No, they are those with miraculous relationships with God. John’s work was to prepare the way for the messiah. His message was God’s word that was meant to change the hearts of parents into those of the children that they may believe the light that was coming to the world.

   2)      Even though you tremble at God’s word, do you believe?

When Satan hears the name of Jesus he trembles but he does not believe. It does not suffice to fear but to believe the word of God. Verse 18 of our text makes us know that Zechariah still needed proof eventhough he was in the presence of Gabriel. He did not believe the word of God so he asked “How can I be sure of this?” As  a result, the sign the angel gave was punishment for Zechariah because of his doubt in what Gabriel said. Mtt 21:22 says if we ask and believe we will receive; but many of us today live in doubt like Zechariah.

                Zechariah’s prayer was heard and God gave him a word, but he still wanted a proof. We pray and ask God, and when God answers we still doubt. Many Christians do that today; they kneel down and cry to the Lord but when they get up their intellectual exercise overcomes their faith and they start wondering if and how God will answer them. The how is not our own; how it will happen belongs to God; we just need to believe and trust Him. Zechariah was punished for disbelief.

   3)      The right response after trembling at God’s word.

Gabriel again was sent in the sixth month to the virgin Mary and her immediate response was fear (Lk 1:30). The angel gave her the message, message of Joy and favour. But this time after trembling her reaction was different. “How will this be since I do not know a man?”

                She did not ask how sure she could be since it is impossible to have a child without relationship with a man. But she asked how it will be.

                Firstly she reaffirms her virginity. Therefore the conception of Jesus was a miraculous work of God. Jesus would be the “only begotten” son of God (John 1:14-16). If you accept Jesus, you must accept this fact of His conception and birth. This is the reason why Jesus is the Son of God. Any normal form of birth will do if Jesus was to be another good teacher of Palestine. But that was not the case, so Jesus is the son of God with this miraculous conception.

                The angel explained how it will happen. If today a lady came with pregnancy and told us she has never known a man, it will be terrible. Questions will kill her. Or if a girl who has never known a man was told that will happen to her; she will not believe so the angel said “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Verse 37)

                The omnipotent God in reference to impotent man is here manifested (Jer 32:17). What man cannot do, God can do.

                So what Mary was going to experience was outside the control and power of man. It was God’s working to bring into the world the savior of mankind. Contrary to Zechariah Mary exercised great faith in accepting the words of the angel as truth.

“Behold the bondservant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word” (Verse 38b)

Do you believe in the Lord Jesus? That He is the Son of God? That He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit? That He came to save us from our Sin? This is the time to reconsider your ways and focus on Christ Jesus who is the light of the world. He is God incarnated in human flesh to save us. He is reigning at the right hand of God the father in heaven. He will come again to judge the world. What will He say about you?