PODCAST
Breaking the Silence
November 27th, 2018
Luke 1:1-13
Zechariah and Elizabeth’s story sounds familiar to those who have heard or read Old Testament stories. Much like Abraham and Sarah before them, these two were faithful but they were also older and childless. In a culture that highly values large families, being childless would be hard to endure. Having large families was equated with God’s blessing. Despite both of them being “righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly,” this couple remained childless for years (v. 6).
God, however, had plans. In the midst of their longing, God sent an angel with a message, “your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John” (v. 13). Their joy—a baby boy—will also bring joy to the people of God.
Israel had waited to hear from God. The silence was broken. A voice in the desert was going to be calling the people back to God: John the Baptist was to be born.
Author: Stefanie Hendrickson
