Sunday
Luke begins his gospel by telling us that he has decided to accurately record the events surrounding the life of Jesus so that “Theophilus ….can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.” I think this is also for the many who are “loved of God”, which is what the name Theophilus means. Pretty cool huh?
Luke shares with us part of the Christmas story that is not told anywhere else. We learn about the miraculous birth of John the Baptist. And the connection between Jesus and John. In the opening verses, we are introduced to Zechariah and Elizabeth. Zechariah was just an ordinary priest whose turn came for him to enter into the Holy of Holies. His task was to present the offerings of incense and unleavened bread. The burning of incense was a symbolic act of offering prayer in behalf of all Israel. The wine and the unleavened bread was symbolic of the communion between the believers and God. An event that would not have happened very often in his life and one that lets us know that he was by law a direct descendant of Aaron. We learn that Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth was barren and was now beyond when a woman could naturally have a child. So while Zechariah is renewing the bread of the Presence and offering the symbolic prayers for all Israel via incense, an angel tells him that he and his wife will have a child.
What a shock it would be and doubt and I imagine a little fear, cause Zechariah to be speechless until after the child is born.
Mary has her own shocking news and I think she goes to Elizabeth because as an older woman, and one that is experiencing her own miracle, she would be more supportive and understanding of Mary’s pregnancy. The child in Elizabeth’s womb recognizes the importance of the child Mary is carrying.
Mary praises God and stays for three months. (Most likely until after the birth of John). Eight days after a Jewish boy is born the parents mark their child as a son of Abraham by circumcision. It is as this time that a name is given to the child.
Jesus and John’s lives will intertwine through the gospels. But at no time does John every think of himself as greater than Jesus. Everything he does is to point people to Jesus. “The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” John 1:9. What are we doing to point others to Jesus?
Shalom
Pastor Kathy