Monday, December 16, 2013
Luke 1:13 The angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. ..."
FROM HEAV'N ABOVE
When the angel of the Lord appeared to the Zacharias, and later to the shepherds, his first words were: Fear not. Luke says the shepherds were terribly frightened, and that Zacharias was shaken and fear fell upon him.
The appearance of the angel had the same initial effect on both shepherd and Zacharias. But in the case of the shepherds, it went from fear to faith. In the case of Zacharias, it went from dread to doubting. Zacharias not only lost his fear, but also his respect. He had the audacity to answer: "How can I know this?" implying that he certainly couldn't take the angel's word for it.
How different was Zacharias' response from that of the Christmas angels! The birth of the Savior was not even for their benefit, but they could hardly let the messenger give the news before they burst into their song of praise: Glory to God in the highest! The shepherds, of course, were convinced. They spoke immediately about what had come to pass in Bethlehem, not about "verifying" the news. Hearing the Word of God had convinced them.
And the answer was the same for Zacharias: A little more hearing and thinking, and a lot less talking was what he needed in the months to come, and this is what the LORD did for him. And in this blessed season, the LORD also gives us a chance for hearing, as well as for speaking: a chance to welcome to earth our noble Guest. He comes to share our misery. What thanks can we show Him? We pray He finds a place to rest in our hearts, that we may join the angels in praising Him.
