As I said last week, it is my delight to be filling in at the dual parish of Immanuel Lutheran in West Point and St. Paul in Wine Hill for their midweek Advent services. We continue on the theme of "Fear Not," the message of the angels to certain individuals in preparation for the coming of the Christ Child. This message, "Do not be afraid," is for us, as well. This week we step back in time about six months from last week's encounter.
CLICK HERE for the sermon audio.
Fear Not: Zacharias
Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
It’s not easy to be faithful when you believe God is ignoring you. Zacharias was a priest, but we all know that clergy are not immune to doubt and fear. He had long asked for a child to be born to him and his wife, Elizabeth, but she was believed to be barren. Nevertheless, Luke tells us that these two descendants of Aaron were “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless;” their disappointment in childlessness did not make them angry toward God. Instead, they found their contentment in service to Him. So now in old age, Zacharias was chosen by lot to enter into the Temple and burn incense. Not every priest got the honor of serving in the Temple in Jerusalem. There were many priestly divisions and many priests within each division. Even if he wasn't an old man, it was likely the only time he would fulfill this duty, and so it was a day of great joy and awe for him.
The awe would only increase when the angel appeared to Him in the Temple, especially when Gabriel shared the news that Elizabeth would bear a son. A son! Although he and Elizabeth had been praying for this, they were old now. The days for begetting a child had passed. But on this day of joy and awe, when he had been given the honor of burning the incense in the Lord’s house, Zacharias receives a second gift that increased his joy. The Lord has heard his prayer, Gabriel says. They will have a son. And this would not be just any son; this son will be great. He will serve the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah; He will prepare the way for the Lord.
Well, the news is almost too great for Zacharias. The awe of the Temple, the appearance of an angel, news of a son—“How can this be?” Who can blame him for asking? It all seemed too good to be true. But for his unbelief, he will have to remain silent. His tongue will be held in bondage. For nine long months, while his wife is carrying their son, he will have to carry the words he so longs to speak but will not be able. Zacharias had learned a truth the hard way—a truth that is still as valid today as it was long ago. When God speaks, believe it!
Have we become like Zacharias? When God speaks, are we unwilling to believe what He has to say? Zacharias received the sign of silence. Do we need that sign as well? The Bible is filled with examples of purposeful silence. Elijah heard God in a “still small voice.” The psalmist tells us to “be still” and know that the Lord is God. Jesus took the disciples away to a quiet place to rest.
Our sinfulness rightly moves us to terrified silence. Zacharias was understandably terrified, for Gabriel stands in the presence of God and reflected God’s holiness. The presence of true holiness terrifies all sinners. That means it terrifies all of us. We might try to explain our sin away, but the presence of God's holiness forces us into silence. There is nothing to say.
But God does not leave us in the despair of our guilty silence. He sends His servants to give us words of surprising grace and mercy: “Almighty God in His mercy has given his Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins…” We are silent in the presence of holiness because we know we are wretched sinners. We know we deserve the condemnation of eternal punishment. Instead, God sent His only Begotten Son into this world to die for us on the cross and so earn the forgiveness of sins for all people. His gracious love should stun us to silence. We don't deserve this. How could I have expected such a thing? God gives us gifts that are truly undeserved. He gives to us the Word of life and salvation.
Like Zacharias, we have God's promise. In addition, we now have Zacharias's story to tell and help us as we hear God's Word. God calls us to believe. The world has heard that call through the voice of the incarnate Son of the Father. The Holy Spirit works faith within us. We have heard His promises again and again. And we know that He is reliable. His Word does what He says it will do. We believe.
Zacharias was given two miraculous signs, and in time, he believed. But the miracles we've seen have been far greater. We know the message of Zacharias’s son, John the Baptist. We know the message and the work of Jesus. We have seen the greatest sign of all: the crucifixion and resurrection of the Messiah. We have seen our sins die with Him. We have daily risen with Him to new life. We hear His voice day after day. We eat His body and drink His blood and are forgiven. We are bound to Him and He to us. In the silence of Advent, God calls us to remember, to believe.
This Advent, and each day, God calls us. He quiets the noise and chaos of our sinful nature, of the world, of temptation, of fear, of the devil, or of any other distraction. He calls us to silence so we can hear Him. As we hear Him, He works forgiveness, life, and salvation in us as His Word works faith in us. Then as His Word works in us, we proclaim that Word. Just as Zacharias did when he sang the Benedictus, we lift our voices in praise of God. Just as Zacharias proclaimed God's salvation to others, so we tell them of the Savior who has come and who will come again. And just as our Lord speaks through Gabriel to Zacharias, our Lord speaks to you; He forgives your sins and says to you, “Do not be afraid!” In the name of the Father and of the Son (†) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always. Amen.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment