Shalom,
It is indeed the grace of God for us if we can feel His presence and worship Him in this online service. We believe that He is present among us and we are also convinced through His word that the Father searches the true worshippers who worship Him in spirit (conscience) and in truth (His word).
Let us prepare our hearts to respond to God's Word that we read and listen to. God does not need our method or our outward offerings to invite Him to come because He is the Creator who is sovereign over the universe and mankind. He will be present on His own will; as it is written in His word where two or three are gathered in His Name, He is in their midst (Matthew 18:20).
It is different when we invite important people who have high positions. We may need an official letter and recommendation from other officials. Besides, we must arrange security for the venue. We might become disappointed when our invitation is rejected on the grounds of being busy, having assignments, etc. Isn't it true that during this pandemic we also feel disappointed and sad because we are not visited by relatives and friends because we are limited by the full large-scale social restriction?
We have discussed the first 4 verses in the Gospel of Luke written by Doctor Luke and addressed to the most excellent Theophilus (Luke 1: 1-4). Doctor Luke not only investigated a number of events but also carefully compiled the events that were reported by eye witnesses and the ministers of the Word and recorded them orderly. Then he sent his writings to Theophilus (also for us) and said that everything taught in his book was absolutely true.
Introspection: Do we respond well to all of what the Gospel of Luke teaches us and believe that everything is really true? If we believe verse by verse until the last verse in Luke's Gospel, our faith will be greatly increasing.
The orderly writing of Luke's Gospel inspired by the Spirit of God proves that the Creator did not speak carelessly and insert something that had been forgotten, thus making the order disorganized and appearing ‘patchy’.
There are two events written in the Gospel of Luke chapter 1, one of which is quite familiar because it is always preached on Christmas day. However, let us not only be restricted by reading the verses only on specific events. If we respond well to all the Bible verses, the result is good for us.
What events and what were the responses to those events?
- The prophecy about John the Baptist's birth (Luke 1:5-25) that speaks about repentance.
Doctor Luke wrote an event where an angel appeared to Zacharias, a righteous and good man who was doing his priestly duties in the Holy Place. Zacharias was startled seeing the angel standing on the right side of the Altar of Incense. The angel calmed him and said, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John…He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just...”
How did Zacharias respond? Indeed, this married couple, Zacharias and Elizabeth, had prayed hundreds or maybe thousands of times until they were well advanced in years, yet they still had no child because Elizabeth was barren. It is strange, hearing his prayer was answered by God, Zacharias did not respond positively by giving thanks. Instead, he asked many questions out of his disbelief in God.
Note that every response, whether positive or negative, to God's Word will surely give an impact. And we need to remember that whatever He said must be fulfilled.
Zacharias used his rational logic thinking that it is impossible in his old age to be able to bear a son. What was the consequence for Zacharias for his disbelief to the word of God? His unbelief toppled the pile of prayers he had been praying over the years; as a result, he was sentenced to be deaf and mute until the child was born (vv. 18-20).
After seven days of performing priestly duties, Zacharias returned and gathered with his wife. It is certain that communication between the husband and wife was hampered, they could not communicate normally; instead, they used sign language. It is evident that Zacharias kept his religious routine and rules of worship long enough, but did not believe in the fulfillment of God's promises. In fact, God wanted to use the child born of these old husband and wife.
Lesson: We are to always believe in the word of God because He will fulfill all of His word whether it is hard, soft, edifying, correcting, and so on. Even though we don’t believe or reject the Word of God, the Word of God stands firm in Heaven (Psalm 119:89). Let us respond to the good tidings joyfully, not fearfully.
Doctor Luke wrote accurately about a miracle experienced by a woman who was already old and barren but she could bear a son. After doing research to confirm the news, he recounted everything that the angel told Zacharias. This event is true as evidenced by the fact that Elizabeth was pregnant even though she could not talk to him well.
Zacharias became mute and had to wait approximately 284 days till his son, John, was born. We can imagine the discomfort and inconvenience to communicate between them! Why did Doctor Luke write this? Husband and wife are one, although they were in their old age. The Lord wanted them to see a miracle that their son soon would bring many people to God and even God would turn the hearts of the fathers to their children.
The Lord cares for a marriage and the fruit of the marriage. If a husband doesn’t obey the word of God, this will affect their marriage especially wife. Parents ought to respond to the word of God well so that their children may fear and honor the Lord. In fact, nowadays the world is testing and cornering our faith as Liberal Christian and atheists do; and we know even some countries have already legalized the abortion.
Let us respond to each of the word of God well and have faith in them. “The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.” (Psalm 10:4); the fool does not believe the existence of God, all their deeds are merely tainted and no one does good (Psalm 14:1; 53:2).
Beware! Let us not be weary in praying and crying to the Lord if He is seemingly late in answering our prayers. Don’t turn our mind to other things!
What Doctor Luke wrote is true; he wrote how Elizabeth who was already old and barren was in her sixth month of pregnancy when Gabriel, the angel, told Mary that she would bear Jesus.
2. The prophecy about Mary who would bear a boy that should be named Jesus (vv. 26-38). This is related to protection.
Mary obeyed the word of God although she was still very young (her age was about 14 years) and inexperienced. Mary believed and said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
Mary believed that Jesus – the Son of God, the Word Himself – would become flesh in her womb. Her pregnancy was getting bigger just like Elisabeth’s when she visited and stayed with Elizabeth for approximately three months.
Mary responded positively to the Word of God which caused her relationship with Joseph to be protected by the Lord. Though they were from underprivileged family, they had a good relationship in their marriage; it was because of God’s protection over them.
Application: Let us respond well to the Word of God (whatever it is), although at first we did not understand. The Holy Spirit will work and even the power of the almighty God will come upon us.
Let us respond to the word of God well and believe that our prayers and supplications will be heard according to His will and not our will. This way, we will have good relation in our marriage because our hearts are filled with the eternal Word of God that gives assurance that we live under His protection. On the contrary, bad response to the word of God will produce bad impact to our relationship as husband and wife. For this reason, we need repentance to restore our marriage. By doing so, we will have eternal salvation and experience heavenly joy again. Amen.