Deeper Reflection
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF JOHN THE BAPTIST’S BIRTH IS part of God’s grand plan for Israel and signals the renewed activity of God to his people promised in the Old Testament. This concerns the promised coming of Jesus (2 Sam 7:12-13, 16), the One John will precede as forerunner (vv.16-17, 76; cf. Mal 4:5-6). Although God is concerned about fulfilling his promises to Israel (at the national level), he is also meeting the personal needs of a righteous couple in Zechariah and Elizabeth (at a personal level).In the birth narratives, Luke introduces the parents of John the Baptist as pious, law-abiding Jews faithfully serving as priests despite Elizabeth’s barrenness. Zechariah is at the high point of his priestly career when chosen by lot to offer incense in the holy place of the temple. ¹⁶ As he does so, the angel Gabriel appears and announces the promise of a son to him and his wife in their advanced years; this child is to be called John, who will turn many in Israel back to the Lord and “make ready” a people prepared for the Lord (vv.16-17). Although Zechariah had been praying for a child for many years (v.13), he was unable to immediately believe that his prayers had been answered (v.20). The fulfilment of God’s plan is not contingent on Zechariah’s ability to trust God for what he prayed for. Zechariah’s prayer had evidently made a difference as God had heard his prayers (v.13). This is the mystery and invitation of prayer: we persevere in prayer (human responsibility) and God will always still accomplish his good purpose in our lives (divine sovereignty).

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¹⁶ Probably only once in a lifetime does a serving priest get chosen by lot for the honor to offer incense in the holy place;cf. m. Tamid 5:2-6:3.