We have been learning all week about Zechariah—the Levite priest and father of John the Baptist—culminating in his astounding encounter with an angel of the Lord while serving in the Temple in Jerusalem. He is struck mute. How would the people at the Temple respond to this strange occurrence? What would his wife Elizabeth think?

Luke 1.21-25

21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Why were there people waiting for Zechariah to come out from the Temple (read verse 10). What does the fact that he was delayed tell you about his encounter with the angel?

+ Why do you think Elizabeth “hid” for five months? What was her “reproach” that had been taken away? Why would people think that way when verse 6 states that both Elizabeth and Zachariah “were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord”. Do you ever think if things are going wrong in your life that God is displeased with you in some form or fashion? Why?

+ Have you ever prayed for something for a long time and it finally came to be? Have you ever prayed for something for a long time and it hasn’t yet come to be? Share your experiences with the Group and be an encouragement to one another!!!

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ I read there was an estimated 20,000 priests at the time of Jesus’s birth, so this lot that fell on Zechariah to serve as the incense priest was probably the only time he would get to enter the Holy Place. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience which, I am sure, was greatly anticipated by this righteous, God-fearing man. In his mind, this was going to be the closest he would ever get to God.

After Jesus’ death, the curtain in the Temple that “hid” God in the Most Holy Place was torn from top to bottom, signifying that Jesus’s sacrifice for His people was accepted and direct access to the Father was gained for all those who align themselves with Jesus as their Lord and Savior (Matthew 27.51). I have been convicted this week on taking this awesome opportunity of meeting with the Creator of the Universe that I now have EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY for granted.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for being selfish with my time, squeezing You in when it’s convenient. Help me to recapture the reverence and remember the sacrifice it took to allow this access to You. Amen.

Hebrews 10.19-25:

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?