Before the Beginning

Let's get the story straight.  That's what Luke was saying to his friend Theophilus.

Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed. In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.” Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.” - Luke 1:1-25

Many had talked and written about the life, death and resurrection of the Messiah, but Luke felt he could do a better job.

He went back to all the first person accounts and set out to compile a clearly compelling version that shows us how all that happened leading up to the birth of Jesus had been foretold.

In the first chapter, he tells of the birth of John the Baptist and he draws a parallel from Zechariah and Elizabeth to Abram and Sarai.

The miracle of birth will come to two women in their old age.  

Just as Sarai failed to believe this could happen, so did Zechariah, and because of his disbelief, he was made mute.

I think this is not a punishment as much as the sign he was asking for.  How can this come about?  Gabriel showed him, by making him unable to speak.

Now Gabriel did this in the sanctuary, so all the priests would know something had happened and it had come from God.

It is interesting that Elizabeth remained in seclusion during the first five months.  No one was to know what was going on, except the family.

And it was a member of the family who was going to have her own visit from Gabriel, and then she would come to Elizabeth's aid.

So, Luke has opened the story with an amazing act of God and that has captured our attention.  We will see that he continues the suspense throughout, making this one of the longest and most compelling accounts on record.

More to come...