50a An Angel Visits Zechariah [Luke 1:11-17]

The Bible passage: [Luke 1:11-17]

The Story:

Zechariah was a priest. While he was on duty in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him, standing beside the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear.

The angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been answered. Your wife Elizabeth will deliver your son, and you will name him John. There will be joy and delight for you. Many will rejoice at his birth. He will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to righteousness, to prepare the people for the Lord.”

The Lessons:

  • Only a few angels are mentioned by name in the Bible. Gabriel is one of those. All four times that he is mentioned, he is delivering a message from God.
  • This John is known as John the Baptist, because he later baptizes a lot of people who repented of their sins. We will see more about that later. The angel told John’s father that he was to follow the Nazarite vows. 
  • He was filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb, even before birth. We will see that in 50c Mary Visits Elizabeth.
    • The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and is fully God. Being spirit, there is no physical form. As such, the Holy Spirit speaks to the spirit/soul of people. The Holy Spirit:
      • Inspired men to write the books of the Bible. 
      • Helps us to understand truth. 
      • Convicts us of sin and judgment, and leads us to righteousness.
      • Draws people to Jesus, the Savior.
      • Leads us to do the will of God.
      • Gives us peace during the struggles of life.
      • Builds our character.
      • Comforts us in times of mourning.
      • Was part of the creation of the world [Genesis 1:2].
  • At the end, we have a reference to [Malachi 4:5-6], which was at the end of 48 The Last Prophetic Words.


Previous: 49 The Pre-existence of Christ [John 1:1-18]

Next: 50b An Angel Visits Mary [Luke 1:26–38]



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