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And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
[Luke 2:1-6 NKJV]
So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
[Luke 2:1-6 NKJV]
The Bible pays great attention to lineage and heritage. We have already seen that, bearing the name of the father — passing that name and nature from one generation to the next is paramount. Why? It is is the everlasting, the continuing of an unbroken line through eternity; not merely in the natural realm, but that the Spirit of the Living God is forever alive in a people through all generations.
We see that most readily to modern understanding in Matthew chapter 1, where Jesus lineage is set out as proof of His royal heritage.
It begins: The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: [Matthew 1:1 NKJV] and concludes with And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations. [Matthew 1:16-17 NKJV].
Why is this deemed so important that it be set at the beginning of The New Testament? This is establishing from the outset that Jesus has the credentials, the family tree which establishes Him clearly in the line of Abraham and David. Matthew was writing to the Jews predominantly and he was giving the proof that Jesus was who He said He was.
More than that; if, as John says, If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. [1 John 4:12-13]. If I am one with Christ (and He lives in me), then I am of the same generation as Jesus.
Or put another way; For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]--
[So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favour and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. [Ephesians 1:5-6 AMPC]
We are adopted in His family — our natural circumstances do not apply — we too are of the house and lineage of David.
We see that most readily to modern understanding in Matthew chapter 1, where Jesus lineage is set out as proof of His royal heritage.
It begins: The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: [Matthew 1:1 NKJV] and concludes with And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations. [Matthew 1:16-17 NKJV].
Why is this deemed so important that it be set at the beginning of The New Testament? This is establishing from the outset that Jesus has the credentials, the family tree which establishes Him clearly in the line of Abraham and David. Matthew was writing to the Jews predominantly and he was giving the proof that Jesus was who He said He was.
More than that; if, as John says, If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. [1 John 4:12-13]. If I am one with Christ (and He lives in me), then I am of the same generation as Jesus.
Or put another way; For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]--
[So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favour and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. [Ephesians 1:5-6 AMPC]
We are adopted in His family — our natural circumstances do not apply — we too are of the house and lineage of David.
Have you ever noticed what Jesus said would choke the word He puts in? The devil? No, the cares of this world. It is the little worries always. I will not trust where I cannot see, that is where infidelity begins. The only cure for infidelity is obedience to the Spirit.
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Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been since the world began, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
[Luke 1:67-80 NKJV]
“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been since the world began, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
[Luke 1:67-80 NKJV]
... through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; this is a wonderful expression; so beautifully poetic. The Dayspring from on high has visited us; but what is Zacharias referring to when he talks of the Dayspring?
The Amplified Bible translates verse 78 as Because of and through the heart of tender mercy and loving-kindness of our God, a Light from on high will dawn upon us and visit [us], which gives a more readily identifiable picture of Zacharias’ prophecy.
Dayspring however, is a lovely description of the dawning of a new day and the birth of a saviour, and delving deeper into the birth of that word, reveals a unique perspective on the profound nature of what The Holy Spirit had given Zacharias to reveal in prophecy.
anatolē, translated as “Dayspring” in the New King James Version, means east (the direction of the Sun’s rising), but is itself derived from a word meaning to rise from, be descended from. In turn that word is made up from two concept words which say — putting those ideas together — the eternal in the midst.
We can see clearly how those onlookers were astonished at what The Holy Spirit was revealing through Zacharias! Having been made speechless; he breaks with tradition in naming his child, then proclaims the most amazing prophecy; that the eternal was coming to the temporal to reveal the way of peace!
The Amplified Bible translates verse 78 as Because of and through the heart of tender mercy and loving-kindness of our God, a Light from on high will dawn upon us and visit [us], which gives a more readily identifiable picture of Zacharias’ prophecy.
Dayspring however, is a lovely description of the dawning of a new day and the birth of a saviour, and delving deeper into the birth of that word, reveals a unique perspective on the profound nature of what The Holy Spirit had given Zacharias to reveal in prophecy.
anatolē, translated as “Dayspring” in the New King James Version, means east (the direction of the Sun’s rising), but is itself derived from a word meaning to rise from, be descended from. In turn that word is made up from two concept words which say — putting those ideas together — the eternal in the midst.
We can see clearly how those onlookers were astonished at what The Holy Spirit was revealing through Zacharias! Having been made speechless; he breaks with tradition in naming his child, then proclaims the most amazing prophecy; that the eternal was coming to the temporal to reveal the way of peace!
“Add to your faith virtue ...” (2 Peter 1:5). “Add” means there is something we have to do.
We are in danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does, and that God will not do what we can do. We cannot save ourselves nor sanctify ourselves, God does that; and God will not give us good habits, He will not give us character, He will not make us walk aright. We have to do all that ourselves, we have to work out the salvation that God has worked in.
We are in danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does, and that God will not do what we can do. We cannot save ourselves nor sanctify ourselves, God does that; and God will not give us good habits, He will not give us character, He will not make us walk aright. We have to do all that ourselves, we have to work out the salvation that God has worked in.
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So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”
But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.
And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.
[Luke 1:59-64 NKJV]
But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.
And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.
[Luke 1:59-64 NKJV]
In some ways in this meditation, I am shamelessly leaning on my own family and my experience of it; but it is what I know, and all of us can only speak from what we know.
In the Bible names are very important indeed. I learned that when I did a study on rebuilding the gates of Jerusalem as told in the book of Nehemiah. The names of the many saints who contributed to that work spoke enormously of the spiritual nature of that rebuilding and gave me an insight into something of which I’d been told but not realised until I’d seen it for myself.
This is important — seeing it for yourself — because our relationship with the Lord is an intensely personal thing. He speaks to you and I according to our relationship with Him, but never against His connection with His creation. Do we know this?
In this passage from Luke, many were astonished that Zacharias, John’s father, went against tradition and did not name his son after himself, but as Elizabeth had heard. This was a man who had now heard from the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged to do the same.
John, as we know, means “Jehovah is a gracious giver”. Isn’t He just. John (the Baptist) had a crucial part to play in the eternal story. Jesus’ name was important, and each one of us is named by God in His eternal purpose. We are, each one, given a new name in Him. That name is Jeshua (which is also Joshua, which is also Jesus) and means ‘He is saved’.
We are called by the name of our Father, which is salvation. Our natural fathers were integral to our earthly existence; but our Heavenly Father is essential to our eternal existence. Always remember that we have been called by the name of His Father.
Hallelujah!
In the Bible names are very important indeed. I learned that when I did a study on rebuilding the gates of Jerusalem as told in the book of Nehemiah. The names of the many saints who contributed to that work spoke enormously of the spiritual nature of that rebuilding and gave me an insight into something of which I’d been told but not realised until I’d seen it for myself.
This is important — seeing it for yourself — because our relationship with the Lord is an intensely personal thing. He speaks to you and I according to our relationship with Him, but never against His connection with His creation. Do we know this?
In this passage from Luke, many were astonished that Zacharias, John’s father, went against tradition and did not name his son after himself, but as Elizabeth had heard. This was a man who had now heard from the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged to do the same.
John, as we know, means “Jehovah is a gracious giver”. Isn’t He just. John (the Baptist) had a crucial part to play in the eternal story. Jesus’ name was important, and each one of us is named by God in His eternal purpose. We are, each one, given a new name in Him. That name is Jeshua (which is also Joshua, which is also Jesus) and means ‘He is saved’.
We are called by the name of our Father, which is salvation. Our natural fathers were integral to our earthly existence; but our Heavenly Father is essential to our eternal existence. Always remember that we have been called by the name of His Father.
Hallelujah!
Never forget that our capacity in spiritual matters is measured by the promises of God. Is God able to fulfil His promises? Our answer depends on whether we have received the Holy Spirit.
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And Mary said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.”
And Mary remained with her (Elizabeth) about three months, and returned to her house.
[Luke 1:46-56 NKJV]
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.”
And Mary remained with her (Elizabeth) about three months, and returned to her house.
[Luke 1:46-56 NKJV]
Today’s verses are often called “The Song of Mary”, and they form a beautiful hymn of praise. Mary is plainly hearing from The Holy Spirit during her visit with Zacharias and Elizabeth, and we can imagine that this time of ‘confinement’ for both women would have been very special.
We know from the context of previous verses that both women — hearing from the Holy Spirit — knew of the role each was enacting and of the deep importance that their children would be. The outworking of this joyful time would bring many trials and incredible sorrow, but the words of Mary’s song remain.
There are words of thanksgiving and appreciation to God, and a recognition of the wonders He performs — lifting up those who are ‘poor in spirit’.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 5:3 NKJV]
We know from the context of previous verses that both women — hearing from the Holy Spirit — knew of the role each was enacting and of the deep importance that their children would be. The outworking of this joyful time would bring many trials and incredible sorrow, but the words of Mary’s song remain.
There are words of thanksgiving and appreciation to God, and a recognition of the wonders He performs — lifting up those who are ‘poor in spirit’.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 5:3 NKJV]
When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say “I can’t.” Never let the limitation of natural ability come in. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be manifested in us.
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Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
[Luke 1:39-45 NKJV]
And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
[Luke 1:39-45 NKJV]
Mary travelled to ‘a city of Judah’ and as we know Judah means praise or praising. She did so hurriedly and visited Zacharias and Elizabeth in that hill country. Everything in this passage speaks of uplifting and high places; of there being momentous events and joyful circumstances.
Look at what is said:
These are all exceptionally positive words in what was a hugely difficult time. If we read the history of the Bible Lands this was a time of great upheaval. We are in such a time at this very moment, and we need the Lord’s help again. We need to focus on Him, not the problem.
In this picture we see two women in the same situation, who knew each other — both have been spoken to by the Archangel Gabriel and given the same sort of message. Each recognises the importance and position of the other. Elizabeth says that the mother of my Lord should come to me, for example. Elizabeth got this from the Holy Spirit; nowhere else.
The realisation quickly comes that we are in the high places;,the heavenly realms of the Holy Spirit, where all that God reveals in that moment is known, and that there is an amazing event about to unfold; a prophecy fulfilled, and an assurance of that fulfilment.
There is an unfolding of events, and an inexorable logic taking place now that everything has been established. Two women, both about to give birth to players in the most wonderful event ever — one that would transform all things — that will bring great hope; but also suffering and despair and cruel death before setting in motion the saving of mankind.
This is momentous indeed, and we should know today — just as it was then — that God has made promises of which there will be a fulfilment.
Look at what is said:
- Hill country = high places
- The babe leapt in her womb ... for joy
- filled with the Holy Spirit
These are all exceptionally positive words in what was a hugely difficult time. If we read the history of the Bible Lands this was a time of great upheaval. We are in such a time at this very moment, and we need the Lord’s help again. We need to focus on Him, not the problem.
In this picture we see two women in the same situation, who knew each other — both have been spoken to by the Archangel Gabriel and given the same sort of message. Each recognises the importance and position of the other. Elizabeth says that the mother of my Lord should come to me, for example. Elizabeth got this from the Holy Spirit; nowhere else.
The realisation quickly comes that we are in the high places;,the heavenly realms of the Holy Spirit, where all that God reveals in that moment is known, and that there is an amazing event about to unfold; a prophecy fulfilled, and an assurance of that fulfilment.
There is an unfolding of events, and an inexorable logic taking place now that everything has been established. Two women, both about to give birth to players in the most wonderful event ever — one that would transform all things — that will bring great hope; but also suffering and despair and cruel death before setting in motion the saving of mankind.
This is momentous indeed, and we should know today — just as it was then — that God has made promises of which there will be a fulfilment.
“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow” (Matthew 6:28). A lily is not always in the sunshine; for the greater part of the year it is hidden in the earth. “How they grow” — in the dark, only for a short time are they radiantly beautiful and sweet ... We can never be lilies in the garden unless we have spent time as bulbs in the dark, totally ignored. That is how to grow.
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Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."
Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible."
Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
[Luke 1:26-38 NKJV]
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."
Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible."
Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
[Luke 1:26-38 NKJV]
The name Mary is a diminutive of Miriam and means ‘rebellion’. What was Mary, the mother of Jesus in rebellion against? The only clue we have lies in how God often uses people with a strong natural character — the apostle Paul is a striking example. Perhaps she can be looked upon as rebelling against the perceived religious wisdom of her day (and of the present time also) which declares that women are secondary to a man. Whatever the answer, Mary must have been ‘a strong woman’.
In the section of Luke 1 quoted above, there is no mention of the husbands of either Mary or Elizabeth. The only man is Jesus and “He will be great”. The only ‘man’ in the Bible is Jesus — the rest of us (male and female) are ‘women’ in God’s eyes, because we must each birth ‘the man child’. In this way, Jesus can be rebirthed in His people, to form ‘the Church of Jesus Christ’. This is the work of The Holy Spirit and reveals that with God nothing is impossible.
When we abide in Him, we dwell in The Holy Spirit and He lives in us just as Gabriel pronounced; The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. In this way, by giving birth we effectively become the child we have given birth to — to be transformed into Sons of God.
For any one of us whom The Lord has touched, we are eternally changed. We may not yet become perfect, but we are all set on the road to perfection in Christ Jesus. Why? Because we have ‘found favour with God’.
If not rebellion, it is certainly a step beyond the ordinary that we are invited to embrace when The Holy Spirit speaks.
In the section of Luke 1 quoted above, there is no mention of the husbands of either Mary or Elizabeth. The only man is Jesus and “He will be great”. The only ‘man’ in the Bible is Jesus — the rest of us (male and female) are ‘women’ in God’s eyes, because we must each birth ‘the man child’. In this way, Jesus can be rebirthed in His people, to form ‘the Church of Jesus Christ’. This is the work of The Holy Spirit and reveals that with God nothing is impossible.
When we abide in Him, we dwell in The Holy Spirit and He lives in us just as Gabriel pronounced; The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. In this way, by giving birth we effectively become the child we have given birth to — to be transformed into Sons of God.
For any one of us whom The Lord has touched, we are eternally changed. We may not yet become perfect, but we are all set on the road to perfection in Christ Jesus. Why? Because we have ‘found favour with God’.
If not rebellion, it is certainly a step beyond the ordinary that we are invited to embrace when The Holy Spirit speaks.
“... He is my rock and my salvation” (Psalm 62:6). A rock conveys the idea of an encircling guard, as that of a mother watching her child who is learning to walk; should the child fall, he falls into the encircling love and watchfulness of the mother’s care. “The LORD is my rock,” my encircling guard. Where did the Psalmist learn this truth? In the school of silent waiting upon God.
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And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
[Luke 1:14-22 NKJV]
And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
[Luke 1:14-22 NKJV]
How shall I know this? Despite his faith, and knowing the rituals of the temple; the reality for Zacharias was that he did not believe. He believed that he believed, but his belief was as solid as candyfloss.
Zacharias was a good man but he did not know God; so when he prayed, his prayer was heard, but God had to send Gabriel (man of God) to show him the way, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time. God does not take shortcuts to achieve His purpose. As we know, He often uses unbelievers to accomplish His work — and those people can be the religious who do not understand the reality of God as found through His Holy Spirit. — so religion has to be turned into relationship. In other words, our voice has to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God*, so that it becomes God’s voice that speaks through us and not our own.
Zacharias was rendered speechless until he learned to wait upon The Lord and see for Himself that his prayer was heard. He had to learn patience. His voice was not needed; indeed it had to be silenced. He was a priest in the temple; he had prayed at the altar of incense ... had he? Scripture does not say that; it says his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. Is that a prayer? It seems that it is — and Zacharias had to be taken to the place where he realised that this prayer was heard, for he was part of a plan with eternal consequences, that he knew not of.
I have often wondered why Jesus repeatedly asked his disciples and others; those for whom he had performed miracles and wonders in their lives, to say nothing of the matter, to remain silent. This does not seem the act of someone building a following or saving mankind; but then that was not what He came to do. He came to die and proclaim the Kingdom of God. He understood that the healings, the miracles, the ‘signs and wonders’ were really distractions from His true purpose. Such things are a consequence of who He is, not the reason why He is who He is.
Jesus needed no advertising — nothing need be said. He is who He is — and so in His final hours, when Pilate asked Him to justify Himself, He said nothing.
* Romans 12:2 NKJV
Zacharias was a good man but he did not know God; so when he prayed, his prayer was heard, but God had to send Gabriel (man of God) to show him the way, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time. God does not take shortcuts to achieve His purpose. As we know, He often uses unbelievers to accomplish His work — and those people can be the religious who do not understand the reality of God as found through His Holy Spirit. — so religion has to be turned into relationship. In other words, our voice has to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God*, so that it becomes God’s voice that speaks through us and not our own.
Zacharias was rendered speechless until he learned to wait upon The Lord and see for Himself that his prayer was heard. He had to learn patience. His voice was not needed; indeed it had to be silenced. He was a priest in the temple; he had prayed at the altar of incense ... had he? Scripture does not say that; it says his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. Is that a prayer? It seems that it is — and Zacharias had to be taken to the place where he realised that this prayer was heard, for he was part of a plan with eternal consequences, that he knew not of.
I have often wondered why Jesus repeatedly asked his disciples and others; those for whom he had performed miracles and wonders in their lives, to say nothing of the matter, to remain silent. This does not seem the act of someone building a following or saving mankind; but then that was not what He came to do. He came to die and proclaim the Kingdom of God. He understood that the healings, the miracles, the ‘signs and wonders’ were really distractions from His true purpose. Such things are a consequence of who He is, not the reason why He is who He is.
Jesus needed no advertising — nothing need be said. He is who He is — and so in His final hours, when Pilate asked Him to justify Himself, He said nothing.
* Romans 12:2 NKJV
In the Cross we see the dimensions of Divine love. The cross is not the cross of a man, but an exhibition of the heart of God. At the back of the wall of the world stands God with His arms outstretched, and every man driven there is driven into the arms of God. The Cross of Jesus is the supreme evidence of the love of God (Romans 8:35-39).
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There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
[Luke 1:5-13 NKJV]
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
[Luke 1:5-13 NKJV]
We are told that the Lord answers prayer. He does; and sometimes His answer is silence, which can often be the most profound answer of all; even if sceptics dismiss it as proof of God’s non-existence. If you have found God — properly, if He has chosen you — then you can know beyond doubt that He is there for you, whether He speaks or is silent when He communicates to your spirit.
Zacharias (remembered of Jehovah) and Elizabeth (oath of God) were both righteous before God, yet found themselves childless. This, as for so many was deeply distressing — and they were both — in a beautiful Bible phrase — well advanced in years!
However, the Lord sent a messenger who told them that “Your prayer is heard”, and that Elizabeth would have a son, who was to be named John (Jehovah is a gracious giver). We can see a number of things in this wonderful story ...
That is all we need to know — all we can know. Your prayer is heard by God. That is the answer to all prayer — He has heard. The rest is up to Him as it always has been, and again and again, it requires trust in Him. His response to our prayer will be according to His plan and purpose, not ours; but it will be amazingly better than we could ever hope.
Know that His answer is always going to be the birth of a son — His son — in you.
Know that His answer will always be ‘John’, because Jehovah is a gracious giver.
Know that He has heard your prayer.
Zacharias (remembered of Jehovah) and Elizabeth (oath of God) were both righteous before God, yet found themselves childless. This, as for so many was deeply distressing — and they were both — in a beautiful Bible phrase — well advanced in years!
However, the Lord sent a messenger who told them that “Your prayer is heard”, and that Elizabeth would have a son, who was to be named John (Jehovah is a gracious giver). We can see a number of things in this wonderful story ...
- Firstly, it is an amazing foretaste of the birth of Jesus.
- Secondly, it is yet another example (see Abraham’s story) of a child being born in later years. To me this is a huge encouragement, that Jesus can be born in us no matter what age we are — it is never too late for salvation.
- It is often forgotten or overlooked, that Zacharias was a priest — a man of holiness — who, as a priest would most likely have doubted in his religiousness, yet has sufficient real faith to recognise ‘reality’ when he saw it.
- His lot fell to burn incense. Coming before the altar of incense is the deepest commitment. It is the sacrifice of fire, which gives a sweet smelling savour. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. [Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJV]. This is saying that Zacharias was in the right spirit in his prayer — he was earnest and holy.
- The result was that his prayer was heard. It doesn’t say it was answered; it was heard.
That is all we need to know — all we can know. Your prayer is heard by God. That is the answer to all prayer — He has heard. The rest is up to Him as it always has been, and again and again, it requires trust in Him. His response to our prayer will be according to His plan and purpose, not ours; but it will be amazingly better than we could ever hope.
Know that His answer is always going to be the birth of a son — His son — in you.
Know that His answer will always be ‘John’, because Jehovah is a gracious giver.
Know that He has heard your prayer.
If you put your faith in your experience, anything that happens — toothache, indigestion, an east wind, incongenial work — is likely to upset the experience, but nothing that happens can ever upset God or the almighty reality of the Redemption; once based on that, you are as eternally sure as God Himself.
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Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
[Luke 1:1-4 NKJV]
[Luke 1:1-4 NKJV]
As Christmas approaches, it seems appropriate to look at the Christmas story; and nowhere is it more complete than in Luke’s gospel. So in this first meditation on this theme, we see Luke’s words addressed to Theophilus, whose name means “friend of God”.
Luke credits himself with perfect understanding of all things from the very first, which to our ears sounds hugely prideful, but in this instance, I believe that the word ‘perfect’ should be used in another way — equally applicable in translation — which is ‘diligent’. Luke applied himself thoroughly to an accurate understanding from the beginning. He was “the dear and glorious physician” and no doubt looked at the spiritual evidence before him with an analytical eye.
Know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
These words reveal the essence of learning. You have had instruction from your teacher — A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. [Luke 6:40 NKJV] — and if we know the Holy Spirit, then we are being perfectly trained without doubt.
And it is “without doubt”. Learning from the master gives us “certainty”, as Mary Magdalene knew ... Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). [John 20:16 NKJV]. Mary knew the certainty of Jesus resurrected, as soon as He called her by name.
Be assured today, that our Lord knows each of us by name and has called us into the certainty of a relationship with Him. To this end He provides each of us with mentors, encouragers and preachers; anointed men and women carrying their portion of The Lord’s message to bring His light into our lives, so that we may know the certainty of He who is and always will be.
Luke credits himself with perfect understanding of all things from the very first, which to our ears sounds hugely prideful, but in this instance, I believe that the word ‘perfect’ should be used in another way — equally applicable in translation — which is ‘diligent’. Luke applied himself thoroughly to an accurate understanding from the beginning. He was “the dear and glorious physician” and no doubt looked at the spiritual evidence before him with an analytical eye.
Know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
These words reveal the essence of learning. You have had instruction from your teacher — A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. [Luke 6:40 NKJV] — and if we know the Holy Spirit, then we are being perfectly trained without doubt.
And it is “without doubt”. Learning from the master gives us “certainty”, as Mary Magdalene knew ... Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). [John 20:16 NKJV]. Mary knew the certainty of Jesus resurrected, as soon as He called her by name.
Be assured today, that our Lord knows each of us by name and has called us into the certainty of a relationship with Him. To this end He provides each of us with mentors, encouragers and preachers; anointed men and women carrying their portion of The Lord’s message to bring His light into our lives, so that we may know the certainty of He who is and always will be.
The majority of present day preachers understand only the blessings that come to us from the Cross; they are apt to be devoted to certain doctrines which flow from the Cross. Paul preached one thing only: the crucified Christ, “Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”
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And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering.
With all your offerings you shall offer salt.
[Leviticus 2:13 NKJV]
With all your offerings you shall offer salt.
[Leviticus 2:13 NKJV]
The image today is of a quick piece of work — a demonstration for a watercolour workshop — which included showing what you can do by sprinkling salt onto your paper. You will see that there is what looks like snow falling in the top part of the picture; that is the ‘salt effect’.
What the salt does — when put into the watercolour at the right moment — is twofold. It soaks up the colour and, at the same time, dissolves and pushes the colour aside, creating a star or snowflake effect on the paper. Used sparingly, it can greatly enhance the outcome of the work.
In the same way, salt acts in our food and gives flavour to a meal; too much and it overwhelms; too little and it is bland and can seem tasteless. The conclusion must be that we cannot do without salt. The Bible talks of a Covenant of Salt, referred to as the covenant of your God in the Leviticus passage here.
So what is it about salt that makes it an essential part of a binding covenant with God? We can see that when Lot’s wife looked back she was turned into a pillar of salt. Too much salt kills. We are told it can cause high blood pressure; but too little salt is also injurious, and some —particularly athletes — are prescribed salt tablets to help rehydration and to restore electrolyte balance.
This seems to hit the target — balance! The Lord loves balance in all things, and as a God of judgement we are weighed in the balances. The right balance of salt acts as a restorative and is essential for good health. Spiritually, this translates as a right attitude and good character.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
[Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV]
Finally, Strong’s Concordance says that the Greek word used here (halas) means ‘prudence’ figuratively; but expands that with:
What the salt does — when put into the watercolour at the right moment — is twofold. It soaks up the colour and, at the same time, dissolves and pushes the colour aside, creating a star or snowflake effect on the paper. Used sparingly, it can greatly enhance the outcome of the work.
In the same way, salt acts in our food and gives flavour to a meal; too much and it overwhelms; too little and it is bland and can seem tasteless. The conclusion must be that we cannot do without salt. The Bible talks of a Covenant of Salt, referred to as the covenant of your God in the Leviticus passage here.
So what is it about salt that makes it an essential part of a binding covenant with God? We can see that when Lot’s wife looked back she was turned into a pillar of salt. Too much salt kills. We are told it can cause high blood pressure; but too little salt is also injurious, and some —particularly athletes — are prescribed salt tablets to help rehydration and to restore electrolyte balance.
This seems to hit the target — balance! The Lord loves balance in all things, and as a God of judgement we are weighed in the balances. The right balance of salt acts as a restorative and is essential for good health. Spiritually, this translates as a right attitude and good character.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
[Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV]
Finally, Strong’s Concordance says that the Greek word used here (halas) means ‘prudence’ figuratively; but expands that with:
- salt with which food is seasoned and sacrifices are sprinkled
- those kinds of saline matter used to fertilise arable land
- salt is a symbol of lasting concord, because it protects food from putrefaction and preserves it unchanged. Accordingly, in the solemn ratification of compacts, the orientals were, and are to this day, accustomed to partake of salt together
- wisdom and grace exhibited in speech
If you only take your own ideas, you will never know the truth. The whole truth is the only truth, and the whole truth is Jesus Christ — “I am ... the Truth.” Any bit of truth is an error if taken alone.