Luke 1:18-25

18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20 But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. 22 When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

23 When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. 24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25 “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.

We read yesterday that Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes. Certainly, God had chosen them for the massive privilege of parenting the long-promised forerunner of the Messiah. Zechariah was diligent in his service as a priest.

But even godly people can fail and Zechariah failed here. It might seem like a reasonable question. How could he and Elizabeth have a child? But presumably the punishment shows that this was not just an innocent question. Zechariah must have said it in such a way that it was obvious he did not actually believe it. That is what Gabriel said: "since you didn't believe".

God would be faithful to His promise; Gabriel emphasised that his words would come true in the fullness of time. Nevertheless, Zechariah would be unable to speak until the child was born.

This single incident illustrates the big themes we have seen all the way through: the goodness of God in giving them this blessing, human sinfulness that spoils it, God's righteous judgement but also God's mercy. Zechariah's muteness would be temporary. God's mercy would shine through again later. And Elizabeth became pregnant! The "impossible" happened. She felt the disgrace that her society placed on childlessness but God took that shame away. What grace.

And the next step in His plan was taken.

For Reflection

1. When people heard why Zechariah was mute, what conclusions would they have come to?

2. Hebrews 12:5-13 says that God's discipline of His children is evidence of His love.

Many people find Christmas a sad and difficult time. Could your family make a gift for someone or invite him/her in for a meal - maybe to join you on Christmas Day?

Lord God, I admit my ability to get things wrong and to fail You. In the area of faith I can easily fail. Skepticism causes me to not believe You. In the area of love for others I can also fail. I focus on myself more than others. But I am reminded that You are a God of grace and I ask for Your forgiveness. Please help me not to be skeptical about Your willingness to forgive me.

In Jesus' name, amen.