Tidings of Comfort and Joy: Zechariah

The angel replied, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur… After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people." Luke 1:19-20, 24-25

Have you ever wondered why Zechariah, a righteous man living blamelessly before the Lord, found himself mute after asking just one question to Gabriel, who was bringing him good news?

The story in Luke 1:5-25 gives the details before and after the visit from the angel Gabriel. One of the first things we learn is that Zechariah and Elizabeth were living righteously and blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. They had no children, and because they were getting older, their hope for children had passed.

In Jewish history, it was believed that children were a sign of blessing from the Lord, and therefore, not being able to conceive would have been seen as a punishment or curse from the Lord. Culturally, barrenness was associated with a hidden sin or wrongdoing, creating reproach and disgrace from the larger community. Elizabeth would have suffered deep pain and shame as a consequence of being barren.

Regardless of this challenging and isolating reality, Zechariah and Elizabeth remained faithful to the laws of God. There must have been much pressure on them to prove their innocence to themselves and their community. In this circumstance, could their obedience to the law precede their ability to worship the Lord in awe and wonder? After all, they had spent almost their entire lifetime seeking the approval and blessing of the Lord as they petitioned, prayed, and pleaded for a child.

This story has often been painted in the light of the negative as if becoming mute was a punishment for Zechariah's lack of faith. As I thoughtfully considered another alternative, I first noticed the empathy I had for Zechariah and his question, "How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years." (Luke 1:18)

Hearing this question, with a valid follow-up statement, reminds me of my times of doubt and confusion about life circumstances and the Lord's promises. I can relate to Zechariah in his desire for assurance. I am a quick processor and a slow learner. By this, I mean that I often have awareness and understanding but lack the confidence to share my learning with others. For many years, this has created a sense that I am doing something wrong, and if I could get it right, I would be able to live more fully into who the Lord created me to be.

For example, I have prayed daily for years to have the ability to write a curriculum in a way that shares the gospel and helps transform the human/With God experience. As I have sought the Lord in my desire to write and speak of His love for the sake of the Kingdom, promises of the ability to write and voice God's love are there. Yet I still ask daily, "How, Lord, will I know that this is so?"

In one sense, like Zechariah, it feels like I have been mute for a long time. Perhaps this time of silence is more about stepping into freedom from fear and anxiety, from a desire for assurance, before moving forward into the promised future proclaiming the Good News in writing and speech. From my experience, I am more apt to believe that the Lord silencing Zecheriah was an act of lovingkindness to give him time to understand, heal, and fully receive the tidings of comfort and joy to proclaim the good news to others.

From an outside perspective, I hear Zechariah asking, "Please help me believe what you are saying." With everything Zechariah and Elizabeth had been through, it only seems natural for Zechariah to ask, "How will I know that this is so?" In Zechariah's response, it appears that his profoundly broken heart was fully exposed right there at the altar of the Lord.

His question is not so simple. He's really asking many things all at once. How do I believe this can be true? Can I really hope for something I have lost hope for? How can I receive this as good news when Elizabeth and I have been living so long with the shame of being childless? How can I let go of the past decades of unknown and unexplained heartbreak in a split second and live into this new reality of joy, gladness, and a community rejoicing around us?

What I love about Zechariah here is that he did not hide. His response to the angel was honest and heartfelt. "Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home." (Luke 1:21-23)

Even here, we see that after the encounter with the angel, the Lord gave Zechariah time at the temple in silence before he went home to be with Elizabeth. Zechariah went home knowing he had been in the presence of the Lord and with incredible news that the world would need to wait to hear.

As I consider my stories of lost hope that have brought shame and isolation from the greater community, I sense that Zechariah's season of silence was a gift of grace from the Lord. In silencing Zechariah, the Lord protected him from having to explain what he did not yet understand. This time of quiet waiting to proclaim the good news was a necessary, immediate act of kindness as Zechariah transitioned from the painful past of years of disgrace and shame to the good news of the present.

The months of silence allowed the events of John's birth to unfold without the noise of other voices interfering. The Lord muting Zechariah was a positive, compassionate, and merciful response that allowed Zechariah and Elizabeth time to experience their belovedness and be ready to testify with complete joy in the community around them. I believe the Lord saved Zechariah and Elizabeth in silence and solitude.

I love how the scriptures also give us a glimpse of Elizabeth's story. She stayed in seclusion with her husband for five months. I imagine she, too, needed time to reconcile the brutal past and her broken heart with the Lord and Zechariah to move forward in the joy and good news of the future. I wonder if, behind closed doors, they had spent years blaming each other for their inability to conceive a child, yet now, behind closed doors, they were able to experience a beautiful healing together.

In the end, Elizabeth responded, "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorable on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people." Luke 1:25

It is in silence and solitude that the Lord can heal our broken hearts. I fully believe the Lord wants to meet us in our questions and brokenness out of gracious love, not punishment. This is the good news we all get to participate in.

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength…Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. Isaiah 30:15,18. 

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken. Psalms 62:1-2 

Spend a few minutes in personal reflection:

Identify an area in your life where you are experiencing lost hope or a broken heart.

What miracle would you have difficulty receiving if it was presented to you today?

Ask the Lord to help you be still long enough to receive grace in this broken place.

Allow yourself to be silent long enough to hear from the Lord.

If you struggle to be still or are unsure what voices you hear, do not hesitate to contact us at LifePoint. We are listening companions on the journey and would be honored to accompany you as you seek wisdom and grace. Next week, we will look at Mary and consider her response to the news of the coming Savior of the world.

May you receive tidings of comfort and joy this week!