The Forgotten Man of Christmas

More than likely, when you hear the Christmas story, it begins with Luke 2. It starts with Mary & Joseph journeying to Bethlehem. Some might start the Christmas story back in chapter 1, with the annunciation to Mary by the angel Gabriel. Seldom do people start the Christmas story with Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. The main character of the first chapter of Luke, is Zacharias - not Mary, Elisabeth or John - not even Jesus. Yet he is hardly remembered - which is ironic, because Zacharias name means "Memory of the Lord".

I. The Office of Zacharias
Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth

Zacharias was a priest and Elisabeth was a descendant of Aaron, the first high priest of the nation of Israel. They represented the Old Testament Law. While Zacharias means memory of the Lord - Elisabeth mean "The Oath of the Lord". The significance of their name is, the story of Christmas begins with God remembering the promise to send a Savior.

II. The Offense of Zacharias
Luke 1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man and my wife well stricken in years.
Luke 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings.
Luke 1:20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

Zacharias did not believe Gabriel, and because of his unbelief, Zacharias wouldn't speak until the birth of his son. Today, many don't believe in miracles. They deny the "virgin birth". They cannot accept
the "incarnation", or God becoming a man. The key verse of Luke, chapter 1 is verse 37, For with God nothing shall be impossible.

III. The Offspring of Zacharias
Luke 1:63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all.

Onto Elisabeth & Zacharias was born the greatest and last prophet of Israel.

Matthew 11:11a Verily I say unto you, Among them that areborn of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist...

Zacharias knew the mission his son was sent to do. John was to be the forerunner of the Jesus. I believe that Zacharias & Elisabeth raised John and prepared him for his ministry.

Luke 1:80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.

John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
John 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
John 1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 1:12 But as many asreceived him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

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posted by rjsc at 12/30/2005  |  4 comment(s)