LUKE'S STORY ABOUT ZACHARIAS AND THE ANGEL, GABRIEL

Luke 1, A Jewish priest, Zacharias, who lived when Herod was king of Judea. Zacharias was a member of the Abijah division of the Temple service corps. Zacharias and Elizabeth, his wife were godly folk, careful to obey all of God’s laws in spirit as well as in letter. But they had no children and now they were both very old. One day as Zacharias was going about his work in the Temple, the honor fell to him by lot to enter the inner sanctuary and burn incense before the Lord. Zacharias was in the sanctuary when suddenly an angel appeared, and said, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias! God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John. You will both have great joy and gladness at his birth. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and persuade many Jews to turn to the Lord. He will precede the coming of the Messiah, preparing the people for his arrival.  Zacharias said to the angel, “But this is impossible! I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to you with this good news! And now, because you haven’t believed me, you are to be stricken silent, unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly come true at the proper time." Soon afterwards Elizabeth his wife became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. “How kind the Lord is,” she exclaimed, “to take away my disgrace of having no children. FRIENDS, THE JEWS WERE WAITING FOR THEIR MESSIAH AND GOD ANSWERED. Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.