By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, November 27, 2011 · First Sunday of Advent
Sermon Text: Luke 1:5-20
Sermon Theme
Zechariah is living out a once in a lifetime experience. He has the priviliege of offering incense in the temple of the Lord. Because of the number of priests, this could only happen once in a lifetime. Up to this special moment Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth had lived orderly, faithful lives but with a speciall sorrow. They have no children. Zechariah’s world though is changed in an instant. With no advance notice God breaks in in the form of the angel Gabriel. Zecharaiah is confronted with a promise beyond his imagination. He is afraid. He is left in silence. God interrupts our lives just as he did Zechariah’s.
Sermon Outline
I. Shadow
Zechariah is given a special privilege. This is the one opportunity in his life that he will be able to offer incense in the Lord’s sanctuary. As priest Zechariah enters the sanctuary on behalf of the people whose prayers he represents. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth are elderly, having lived righteous and blameless lives according to God’s original covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:6). However like Abraham and Sarah (and Jacob and Rachel, Manoah and his wife, Elkanah and Hannah) they live under a shadow. They have no children. To all appearances they live in an ordered, secure way in every other respect. However their lives are not perfect. Their king is Herod who established himself as a friend of the emperor Caesar Augustus. They are like many Christians living faithful lives under this world’s authorities, yet who also are under a shadow.
II. Sudden
Whatever else Zechariah may have thought about this special moment in his career he could never have imagined that he would be standing face to face with the angel, Gabriel. Gabriel comes with a message from God. Even so, Zechariah is terrified at the sight of him. The angel tells him that his prayer for a child is being answered. Yet it is being answered in a way that is completely beyond Zechariah’s comprehension. This will be no ordinary son. He will be the fulfillment of the prophecy of Malachi (Malachi 4:5-6). Filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth he will go forth in “the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:15-16). He will announce God’s plan for the salvation of the world (Luke 24:45-47; Titus 2:11). The reign of Herod is over. Zechariah’s son will announce a new King of Israel (Luke 23:38). God can and does come suddenly into our lives with a message that may overwhelm, even frighten, us.
III. Silence
Faced with Zechariah’s fear Gabriel tells him, “Do not be afraid” (Luke 1:13). This is one of seven times this statement occurs in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:30; 2:10; 5:10; 8:50; 12:7, 32) Yet when God breaks suddenly into our lives fear is often our most natural reaction. Like Zechariah, we can ask, “How will I know that this is so?” (Luke 1:18). But God’s promises stand alone. They are not proven ahead of time. Some of the angel’s promises regarding Zechariah’s son were fulfilled in the son’s lifetime. Others still await fulfillment (the disobedient turning to the wisdom of the righteous is still taking place as well as many (all) of Isreal turning to the Lord their God (Isaiah 65:17-19; Jeremiah 31:1; 51:5; Hosea 11:8-9; Romans 11:26-27)). Zechariah even in his faithful and blameless life could not begin to imagine what God will do. His world is not locked into a closed pattern. Neither is ours. The message of Advent is that God interrupts our lives to present us with something completely beyond our comprehension. Zechariah himself is not being asked to do anything except believe. The only response to God’s promise is silence, either the imposed silence of disbelief or the reverent silence which watches God’s plan unfold (Deuteronomy 27:9).
Questions for Us
- Why do you think God allows us to live with “shadows” in our lives, unfulfilled hopes and dreams?
- How have you been surprised by God’s special grace in your life? Did you find the experience somewhat frightening? Why?
- What do you think is the meaning of the verse, “Be still, and know that I am God!” Ps. 46:10). Why is silence (a key theme of Christmas carols) so important?
