By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, December 18, 2011 · Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sermon Series: Tear Open the Heavens – Isaiah 64:1
Sermon Text: Luke 1:57-66
Sermon Theme
The central theme of Luke’s Advent and Christmas stories is joy. The word occurs no less than six times (Luke 1:14 (twice), Luke 1:44, Luke 1:47, Luke 1:58; Luke 2:10). The friends and neighbors of Elizabeth rejoice with her over the surprising birth of her son. This is only the first of several surprises. The child will not be named for his father. His father who has been mute will suddently speak. God’s secret plans are being revealed . Together Elizabeth and Zechariah witness to God’s incredible plan. People are amazed, even fearful. God’s joyful word gives us the power to speak his truth in a dark and uncertain world.
Sermon Outline
I. Surprise
The friends of Elizabeth and Zechariah are confronted with several suprises which they find amazing (Luke 1:63). First there is the reality of Elizabeth’s pregnancy in spite of Zechariah’s and her advanced age. Yet there are several examples of births of this nature in the Old Testament beginning with Abraham and Sarah. Second, there is the surprise that the child will not be named after his father (as was often the custom). Third, Elizabeth speaks defiantly that the child will be named John (“No; he is to be called John”). Finally, Zechariah’s power to speak is suddenly restored. None of this was expected. All of it is joyful. One of the lessons of Advent is that God is completely unpredictable, amazing and even at times, frightening. We assume that things are simply the way they are. God breaks in and shatters those assumptions. We need to be ready to be surprised by him.
II. Secret
Zechariah, in spite of being mute, had obviously consulted with Elizabeth so that she knew the baby’s name. What had their lives been like during the nine months he couldn’t speak? What did all their friends and nieighbors think? How could Zechariah perform his duties as a priest if he couldn’t speak? We don’t know the answers but these questions inevitably arise out of the text. Certainly the true story of Zechariah’s speech and Elizabeth’s pregnancy was not known to others since they were completely amazed when the truth came out (Luke 1:63). Would anyone have believed Zechariah’s story of an angel? There are two kinds of secrets in the world. The first are God’s secrets, the often invisible and joyful way he carries out his will (Deuteronomy 29:29; Isaiah 55:8-9). Then there are human secrets which are often unhealthy and can even be an attempt to hide not only from other people but from God (Isaiah 29:15-16; Jeremiah 23:24). We can’t hide from God or ourselves (Genesis 3:8-9).
III. Support
Elizabeth and Zechariah are an excellent example of a ministry team. Elizabeth gives the word to others that had originally been given to Zechariah by the angel. Zechariah then supports her. They present a unified witness. They both had to accept the word of the angel that they together would bear a child in their advanced age. Throughout the New Testament the pattern of two disciples serving together is introduced by Jesus himself and affirmed again and again (Matthew 21:1; Mark 6:7; Luke 24:13; Acts 8:14-15; Acts 15:38-39; 18:18; Revelation 11:3). Everyone needs a ministry partner. In a sense John the Baptist will play that role for Jesus, the one preparing for the other. We need to remember that no one can be a Christian in isolation. No one can live the Christian life alone. Each of us needs to have a partner in faith. This could be someone in our family, our church or any other context. Elizabeth and Zechariah together testify to the reality of their son. Confronted with their joint witness all who heard them ask, “What then will this child become?” (Luke 1:66). He will be “great in the sight of the Lord” (Luke 1:14). The hand of the Lord will be upon him (Luke 1:66). We need to be ready for God’s amazing call.
Questions for Us
- Do we expect God to surprise us? Are we prepared to respond when he does (or do we doubt like Zechariah at first)?
- Do we keep secrets in our lives? Are our secrets sometimes an attempt to hide even from God?
- Do you have a ministry partner in your Christian life? If not, how can we help you find one?
