John the Baptist

Introduction

400 years of Silence, the Levites, the priests and the workers continued there

ministry daily at the Temple. This day started off normal…for all intents and

purposes, but it would be a day that signaled a drastic change…God would no longer

remain silent, He would fulfill His promise…a great Deliverer…Savior was about to

arrive…the Promised Messiah, Jesus Christ and the prophet Malachi declared…

there was one who would precede Messiah, like Elijah.

Reading: Malachi 4:5, 6

(Notes: Alfred Edersheim, Life and Times of Messiah, pp,94-101)

The Priest at the pinnacle of the Temple waited for the first glimmers of light signaling

the trumpeters. 3 Blasts from the silver trumpets announced the opening of the

Temple Gates…The Voice of God pointing the people to the gift of another God

given Day, declaring the time of Morning Worship.

Layout of Temple: Court of the Gentiles; Court of Women/Treasury; Court of Israel;

Court of Priests & Alter; Holy Place & Golden Alter; Holy of Holies.

The Holy Place was prepared for the most solemn part of the day’s service/worship

to the Lord, for the Offering of Incense. This Offering, eluded to in Revelation 5,…

refers to the Accepted Prayers of Israel. And one of the Main Characters in today’s

story line was about to be honored with the Offering of Incense…Zachariah.

Summary of Zachariahs and Elizabeth:

• A priest of 60 years.

• Home: Not from Great Priest Centers: Ophel-quarter in Jerusalem or Jericho; but

from a small town in Judaea; and yet he was a priest and married to the daughter

of a priest, Elizabeth. Therefore, he was surrounded by friends and family, he was

well known.

• Good Pharisees: Walking according to the commandments and law (regulation):

Devoted to the things of God; a home of affection and purity; reverence toward the

sacred things of God and humanity; self-denying; loving charity toward the poor;

regard for the feelings of others…desiring not to embarrass or wound them

(Rabbinic Law stringent); Intense faith and hope for the future of Israel…the

Coming Messiah and the Heavenly Zion, Kingdom Come!

• Childlessness: Many Rabbis believed seperation/divorce was a required religious

duty for childlessness.

Reading: Luke 1:8-10

Zachariah…

• Drew the lot, a once in a lifetime opportunity, The “Offering of Incense,” Accepted

Prayers of Israel.

• Chooses to Assistents (Friends, Family): 1) Approaches Golden Alter removes

previous days ashes and withdraws backward; 2) Approaches Golden Alter and

spreads lives coals from burnt offering.

• Organ Music fills the Temple.

• Waited for the signal enter into the Holy Place and spread the incense over the

coals.

• Everyone prostrate offering prayers as the incense/smoke ascended heaven

word.

• Zachariah - Looking to withdraw and bow down, was suddenly surprised, an

Angelic Being, Gabriel (Minister of Justice) appears…keeping him in the Holy

Place, others outside waiting for him to emerge left wondering.

Reading: Luke 1:11-18 (Mal. 3:1)

• You will have a son, John = The Lord is Gracious;

• He will be a Nazarite, like Sampson and Samuel;

• A life dedicated to God alone;

• Holy Spirit will be in him from Birth;

• Like Sampson, he will cut down trees with the strength of his axe…call out

followers and oppressive leaders in the wrong doing;

• Like Samuel, he will call his people back to God;

• Malachi 3:1 - Declare the coming of Messiah;

• Not Elijah, but he will embody Elijah’s spirit and power as demonstrated on Mount

Carmel;

• Call the disobiedant to walk in the wisdom of the Just;

• Call to: Make ready for the Lord, a people prepared;

• Looking for a sign, not just outright lack of faith…

Reading: Luke 1:19-25

Silence - Zachariah;

Elizabeth, pregnant seclusion for 5 months…silence.

Challenge

During this season take time to stand in awe of a wonder working God, who cares.

Read Luke 1 & 2; Reflect on it, just like you were an eye witness; and Be Silent…let

God speak to you about what He wants Christmas to mean to you.