Scripture Reading:

Luke 1:18-25

Key Verse:

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. (Luke 1:32)

 

What does this passage teach us?

We see in this passage, the power of unbelief in a holy man. As righteous and holy as Zachariah was—the announcement of the angel appeared unbelievable to him. He could not think it possible that an old man like himself could have a son. “Whereby shall I know this?” he says, “for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.”

A well-instructed Jew, like Zachariah, ought not to have raised such a question. No doubt he was well acquainted with the Old Testament Scriptures. He ought to have remembered the astonishing births of Isaac, and Samson, and Samuel in old times. He ought to have remembered that what God has done once—He can do again; and that with Him, nothing is impossible. But he forgot all this. He thought of nothing but the arguments of mere human reasoning.

Let us learn in wisdom from the fault of Zachariah. It is a fault to which God’s people in every age have been sadly liable. The histories of Abraham, and Isaac, and Moses, and Hezekiah, and Jehoshaphat—will all show us that a true believer may sometimes be overtaken by unbelief.

Unbelief is one of the first corruptions which came into man’s heart in the day of the fall, when Eve believed the devil rather than God. Unbelief is one of the most deep-rooted sins by which a saint is plagued, and from which he is never entirely freed until he dies. Let us pray daily, “Lord increase my faith!” Let us not doubt that when God says a thing—that thing shall be fulfilled.

We see furthermore, in these verses—the privilege and portion of God’s angels. They carry messages to God’s people. They enjoy God’s immediate presence. The heavenly messenger who appears to Zachariah, rebukes his unbelief by telling him who he is, “I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee.”

The name “Gabriel” would doubtless fill the mind of Zachariah with humiliation and self-abasement. He would remember it was that same Gabriel, who 490 years before had brought to Daniel the prophecy of the seventy weeks, and had told him how Messiah should be cut off (Daniel 9:26).

Zachariah would doubtless contrast his own sad unbelief, when peaceably ministering as a priest in God’s temple—with the faith of holy Daniel when dwelling a captive at Babylon, while the temple at Jerusalem was in ruins. Zachariah learned a lesson that day which he never forgot.

The account which Gabriel gives of his own office, should raise in our minds great searchings of heart. This mighty angel, far greater in power and intelligence than we are—counts it his highest honor, to stand in God’s presence and do His will.

Let our aims and desires be in the same direction. Let us strive so to live, that we may one day stand with boldness before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple.

The way to this high and holy position is open before us. Christ has consecrated it for us, by the offering of His own body and blood. May we endeavor to walk in it during the short time of this present life—so that we may stand in our lot with God’s elect angels in the endless ages of eternity!

We see, finally, in this passage—how exceedingly sinful is the sin of unbelief in the sight of God. The doubts and questionings of Zachariah brought down upon him a heavy chastisement. “thou shalt be dumb,” says the angel, “not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words.” It was a chastisement especially suitable to the offence. The tongue that was not ready to speak the language of believing praise—was struck speechless! It was a chastisement of long continuance. For nine long months at least, Zachariah was condemned to silence—and was daily reminded, that by unbelief he had offended God.

Few sins appear to be so peculiarly provoking to God, as the sin of unbelief. None certainly have called down such heavy judgments on men. It is a practical denial of God’s Almighty power, to doubt whether He can do a thing—when He undertakes to do it. It is giving the lie to God, to doubt whether He means to do a thing, when He has plainly promised that it shall be done. The forty years wanderings of Israel in the wilderness, should never be forgotten by professing Christians. The words of Paul are very solemn, “They could not enter in, because of unbelief” (Hebrews 3:19)!

Let us watch and pray daily against this soul-ruining sin of unbelief. Concessions to it—rob believers of their inward peace—weaken their hands in the day of battle—bring clouds over their hopes—and make their chariot wheels drive heavily. According to the degree of our faith will be—our enjoyment of Christ’s salvation—our patience in the day of trial—and our victory over the world.

Unbelief, in short, is the true cause of a thousand spiritual diseases; and once allowed to nestle in our hearts—it will eat as a canker! “If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established” (Isaiah 7:9). In all that respects the pardon of our sins, and the acceptance of our souls—the duties of our peculiar station and the trials of our daily life—let it be a settled maxim in our religion, to trust every word of God implicitly, and to beware of unbelief.

 

Review Questions:

1. What is the theme of chapter 1?
2. What is the name of the angel who appeared to Zachariah?
3. What difficult chastisement did Zachariah receive because of his unbelief?

 

Family Application Questions:

1. What are some of the spiritual effects of unbelief in our lives?
2. Where are we struggling to trust in God’s promises right now?