76 "...And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us[h] from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1: 76-79
Throughout the Bible, we see God doing things whose bigger picture we don’t always recognize right away. Today we look at Elizabeth and Zechariah, the parents of John the Baptist. While Zechariah was serving as a priest before God, he was chosen to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. The angel Gabriel appeared to him and told Zechariah that their prayers had been heard, and that even though they were advanced in age and Elizabeth was far beyond childbearing years, they would have a son.
Zechariah doubted the angel because of this, and as a result of his doubt, the angel made him mute until after the child was born.
When I’m on my high horse in life and read this story, I’m tempted to think, “That’s what you get!” But that’s not what this was about. This was not a punishment simply to teach Zechariah—and us—a lesson about doubt. What we don't always know right away is that the greater purpose is to glorify God in what is to come.
The shame and guilt Zechariah must have felt during Elizabeth’s pregnancy would have been deeply humbling. The verses above show us some of the words Zechariah speaks once he is filled with the Holy Spirit after John is born. Go back and read Luke 1:67–79 and see the joy, Peace, and proclamation of God’s goodness that flow from him after this season of humbling silence ends.
The focus here is not on the punishment Zechariah faced, but on the excitement and love for God that came afterward—an outpouring that would go on to bless the whole world!
--
Thank you, God, for having greater purposes in our lives than to punish us because sometimes that is all we deserve. You have greater plans that work for the good of everyone who loves you. We remember in some songs we hear today, "If its not good, God's not done." And that is true. You love us and sometimes that love corrects us so that we may better glorify your Goodness. Be with us as we wait to hear from you. Grant us the patience you display daily so that we may praise your Holy Name to the world.
In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.