Luke 1:5-25
“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.”
Generally, when I think of someone having a vision, I think of somebody seeing an angel, having some sort of heavenly dream, or in some other way, physically seeing the glorious greatness of God. Throughout this book, we have discovered many wondrous visions of God that included seeing a mighty God working in many of life's impossible situations, and seeing how God reveals Himself to His people through His words, His acts, and other aspects of life. Today's story is about a vision in the traditional sense. Zechariah went into the temple to burn incense, and he saw an angel standing beside the altar. The angel told Zechariah that his wife was going to have a baby, and that he would be a forerunner to Christ, turning many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. This vision told of a great thing that God was going to do. In fact, it was also a seemingly impossible thing—Zechariah's wife Elizabeth was barren, and they had prayed to God for a child.
Most of us may never see a vision of an angel sent from God, but that doesn't mean that we won't see God. Zechariah did not just see a vision of an angel; he saw a vision of God. He saw a vision of the forerunner to the Messiah. He heard a word straight from the heart of God, delivered by an angel. God still gives us this vision today—revealing His plan of salvation to His people.
Perhaps this particular plan of God seemed to be impossible to Zechariah. Did Zechariah not see God as great enough? After the angel told him about John's birth, and how great he would be, Zechariah responded, “How shall I know this?” (1:18) He went on to explain that he and his wife were old and could not have children. God's messenger told him of God's plan, and he asked, “How shall I know this?” The angel responded, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.” (1:19) The angel had come from the very presence of God! He brought the truth straight from God's heart! Zechariah saw a vision of the very truth and glory of God. But initially, he did not see God as great enough. Have you seen a vision of God's plan for you? Have you seen God's answer to prayer in the middle of an impossible situation? Did you trust Him? Did you believe that answer? No matter how impossible the situation is, God is able! It didn't matter to God that Zechariah and his wife were too old to have a baby that would be a great man of God. It was God's will and in His plan, so He did it! We need to come before God humbly, and see His greatness. He is an awesome God, and He sends words of glad tidings. It's only when we see ourselves, or our own situations, as higher than Him, that we doubt the ability of God. We need to see God as higher than all else. We need to see His power. He is able!
~ Joel Warren
