Tuesday after Gaudete, the Third Sunday in Advent
Posted on December 15, 2020 by under
Scripture: St. Luke 1:57-66 (NKJV)
1:57 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
59 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. 60 His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”
61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.
63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Devotion
Elizabeth conceives and bears a son. The angel’s words to Zacharias in 1:14 are also fulfilled, for their neighbors and relatives rejoiced with her. When it comes time to circumcise and name the child, Elizabeth insists that he is to be named John. When the protesting family members turn to Zacharias, they receive the same answer, only in written form. Zacharias had to write this out because Gabriel had struck him dumb in 1:20 because he didn’t initially believe God’s Word spoken through the angel. By this time Zacharias has repented of his unbelief and obeys God’s Word, naming the child John. This loosens His tongue. The Lord opened Zacharias’ lips and brought forth His praise.
From this we see two things. First, God fulfills His promises in due time. Whether it is the promise of a child to Zacharias and Elizabeth or the promise to forgive the sins of all who truly repent, God is faithful. God cannot lie, so when He speaks He speaks truth. This should move us to confidently believe His Word in Holy Scripture, as well as His Word spoken by His called and ordained servants. God will not let any of His promises fall to the ground.
Second, this shows us that God punishes unbelief. Since He cannot lie and promises us such great things in His Word, He wants us to take Him at His Word. Zacharias was struck dumb for his unbelief. It was only repentance, faith in God’s promise, and the fruit of repentance that opened his mouth. So we should cut off every temptation to disbelieve God’s promises to us and pray for an increase of faith each day.
Prayer: Lord, we beseech Thee, give ear to our prayers and lighten the darkness of our hearts by Thy gracious visitation. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
