An Angel Announces John's Birth

In the days of King Herod, there was a priest named Zacharias. His wife, Elizabeth, was also from Aaron's family. They both lived righteously before God. But they had no child, and they were both well advanced in years.

When it was Zacharias's turn to serve as priest, he went about his duties before God. By lot he was chosen to go into the Lord's temple and burn incense. At that hour, the whole multitude of people was outside praying.

There, an angel of the Lord appeared on the right side of the altar of incense. Zacharias was troubled and afraid. But the angel told him not to fear. His prayer had been heard. Elizabeth would have a son, and he was to be named John.

The angel said this child would bring joy, and many would rejoice at his birth. He would be great in the sight of the Lord. He would drink no wine or strong drink, and he would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb. He would turn many in Israel to the Lord and prepare a people for him.

Zacharias asked how he could know this, since he and his wife were old. The angel said he was Gabriel, sent from God's presence with this good news. Because Zacharias did not believe the message, he would be silent until it came true.

The people outside were waiting and wondering why he stayed so long. When Zacharias came out, he could not speak to them. They understood that he had seen a vision in the temple, and he kept making signs to them. After his days of service were over, he went home. Later Elizabeth became pregnant and said the Lord had taken away her reproach. What do you notice about the way God's word stood firm, even when Zacharias struggled to believe it?