The Forgotten Man of Christmas

More than likely, when you hear the Christmas story, it might begin in Luke 2 with Mary & Joseph journeying to Bethlehem. Some might start the Christmas story back in Luke 1, with the Annunciation to Mary by the angel Gabriel. But 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 "Remembrance of the Lord". But, I going to write on four things about Zacharias, in Luke, that we should remember about the Forgotten Man of Christmas.

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. His job was to burn incense, which is connected to prayer in the bible. He represented the Old Testament Law. While Zacharias means the memory of the Lord - Elisabeth mean "The Oath of the Lord". The significance of their names in the story of Christmas is God remembering His 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 doubt, 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 Outpouring of Zacharias

Luke 1:67 - 79, And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

After the birth of his son, Zacharias regains his voice and is filled with the Holy Spirit and begins to prophecy. God, in the fullness of time, is sending His Son, the Messiah. Zacharias son will be the forerunner.

IV. The Offspring of Zacharias

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

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

Matthew 11:11a, Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born 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.

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