Advent Day 14: The Announcement Of John

Today, we light the Green, Black, Blue and Gold Candles. The Green Candle represents life and all that Father God created in Christ, Good and Whole. The Black Candle represents the Evil and Corruption of Sin that entered our World through our rebellion. The Blue candle represents the Hope that comes from the Promises of a future Savior and King. The Gold candle represents the birth of the long expected King and Savior.

Luke 1:16-17
And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

It has been over 400 years since The Lord spoke to Israel through Malachi – the last prophet. Then an angel is sent with a marvelous message:

Luke 1:5–17
1:5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 1:7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

1:8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 1:9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 1:11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 1:12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.

1:13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 1:14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 1:15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 1:16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 1:17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

It is understandable that Zechariah was troubled and afraid when he saw the angel of the Lord in the Temple with him. This could have meant that Zechariah had done something wrong, and he was going to be struck down. Instead, the angel Gabriel has an incredible message to share: you will have a son named John and he will be the one who will prepare the way for the Lord – just as Malachi had foretold.

This is the first time, in 400 years, that the Lord has revealed anything new to anyone in Israel. And Gabriel’s message centers around the very last words that were spoken through Malachi!

Malachi 3:1, 4:5
“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me…
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet …. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, …”

Gabriel announces that the time of fulfillment has come. Zechariah’s son John would be the one who would work in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the people for the Lord. The fulfillment of promises and prophecy that Israel had been waiting on for so long was now at hand.

But Zechariah does not respond in faith:

Luke 1:18–20
1:18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 1:19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 1:20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

Zechariah’s question is, “How can I know this?” He is old and his wife Elizabeth is barren. But this has never been a problem for the Lord before. Zechariah’s entire family line began with the Lord blessing Abraham and Sarah in their old age and bareness to have children. Zechariah does not believe his own family’s story.

Zechariah will have 9 months of silence to think about what has happened.

And Gabriel has another announcement to make…