Each of the Gospel writers are distinct from one another. Luke makes sure to let us know he has been meticulous in documenting all of his material.<\/p>\n

“It seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it<\/i> out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;<\/span> so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.”<\/span><\/em> (<\/span>Luke 1:3-4, NASB)<\/p>\n

He was writing to Theophilus but his words assure us as well of his accuracy, of his scrupulous handling of the facts and truth.<\/p>\n

He tells us of a husband and wife, Zacharius and Elizabeth. He was a priest and she was barren. Both were advanced in years, meaning past their years of childbearing.<\/p>\n

“They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.<\/span>” <\/em>(verse 6, NASB)<\/p>\n

They both loved the Lord, walked in His ways, and their lives honored Him. Yet God did not answer their prayer for a child.<\/p>\n

Not yet. Not in the way they had hoped. Not in the usual way when couples are young and starting out.<\/p>\n

Being righteous and blameless, he being a priest, how long had they continued to pray for a child? Had they ever stopped praying for God to bless them with a family?<\/p>\n

We don’t know. But this we do know – Zacharias continued in his priestly duties. He performed the duties he was called to do of God.<\/p>\n

And that is when it happened …<\/p>\n

“Now it happened that<\/i> while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed<\/i> order of his division … an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.<\/span>“<\/span><\/em> <\/span>(verse 8 and 11, NASB)<\/p>\n

Right in the middle of doing the normal priestly duties something unexpected occurs. When Zacharias was alone in the Temple, alone with God, doing the ordinary, an angel appears.<\/p>\n

The angel delivers an announcement, a promise to Zacharias for both he and his wife, Elizabeth:<\/p>\n

“Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.<\/span>” <\/em>(verse 13, NASB)<\/p>\n

Their petition, their prayer, had indeed been heard. The delay was not a denial.<\/p>\n

Zacharias and Elizabeth had been faithful to pray. They had been faithful to keep on serving. They kept on believing even when it appeared for naught. They lived with expectancy that their God would be faithful.<\/p>\n

May we live with expectancy because our Savior will come. <\/strong>
\nOur long expected Savior will return.<\/strong>
\nMay our souls be found waiting for Him.<\/strong><\/p>\n