1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke one thirty seven. Glory, Hallelujah. 2 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:11,240 Speaker 1: I lift up holy hands to the glorious King of Kings. 3 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:16,000 Speaker 1: I was worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. Nothing 4 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:20,799 Speaker 1: is impossible for you. All things belong to you, were 5 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:24,240 Speaker 1: created by you, and will be sustained by the power 6 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 1: of your word. You, who created the universe and holds 7 00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:31,760 Speaker 1: it in the palm of your hands, is the great. 8 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:37,440 Speaker 1: I am, I am and ever shall be. I am 9 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:41,520 Speaker 1: the same today as I was yesterday, as I will 10 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:45,840 Speaker 1: be tomorrow. You, dear Lord, are beyond space and time. 11 00:00:46,640 --> 00:00:50,879 Speaker 1: Nothing is impossible. If I only believe with God, I 12 00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:54,840 Speaker 1: can do all things. Through Christ, who strengthens me. Through 13 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:57,880 Speaker 1: the birth of Jesus, I have been set free. I 14 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 1: look forward to this season that reminds me of His 15 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:04,920 Speaker 1: love and the great sacrifice that he made, and that 16 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:09,480 Speaker 1: now all things are possible for me. Teach me to 17 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:14,160 Speaker 1: have mountain moving faith. Invade my mind, but the truth 18 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:18,280 Speaker 1: of your word. Take away my hardened heart and replace 19 00:01:18,319 --> 00:01:21,040 Speaker 1: it with a heart that beats an alignment with your 20 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:26,480 Speaker 1: heart of compassion and love. As I decrease and melt 21 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:30,959 Speaker 1: into your heart of love, I live and breathe in you. 22 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:34,839 Speaker 1: When I seek to do your will for your honor 23 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:38,559 Speaker 1: and glory, I can trust the purity of your power 24 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:41,880 Speaker 1: working through me. I give you all the praise and 25 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:46,120 Speaker 1: glory and only seek to serve your purposes here on 26 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:48,520 Speaker 1: earth in Jesus name. 27 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:50,280 Speaker 2: Amen. 28 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:55,440 Speaker 1: Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the Greatest Stories Ever 29 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:59,640 Speaker 1: Told from pray Do dot COM's podcast, Heroes in the Bible. 30 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 3: Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans and I'm excited for you 31 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:08,360 Speaker 3: to join me on Heroes in the Bible. Jesus. Please 32 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:12,000 Speaker 3: follow this podcast on Apple or Spotify to get the 33 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:16,920 Speaker 3: latest episodes so you can strengthen your relationship with Jesus. 34 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:20,120 Speaker 3: Welcome to the greatest story ever told. It is a 35 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:23,160 Speaker 3: tale of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's 36 00:02:23,200 --> 00:02:26,400 Speaker 3: love for his children, and a hero's triumph over death 37 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:29,959 Speaker 3: and darkness. This is a story that continues to shape 38 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:33,040 Speaker 3: and mold the world around us, bringing the divine Heart 39 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:35,120 Speaker 3: of God right into the hearts of you and I. 40 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:38,480 Speaker 3: He is the Lamb of God, Prince of Peace, Son 41 00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 3: of David, King of Kings, Chief Cornerstone, good Shepherd, Lion 42 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 3: of Judah, and only begotten son of God. He is 43 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 3: our ultimate hero, Jesus Christ. Every generation since Adam and 44 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:55,080 Speaker 3: Eve have pined after this long awaited savior, But he 45 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:59,400 Speaker 3: was not the hero anyone expected. Many envisioned the giant 46 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 3: slayer like David. Others pictured a prophet summoning fire from 47 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:07,560 Speaker 3: the heavens, like Elijah. But Jesus came to us in 48 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:11,600 Speaker 3: an unexpected way. The maker of the stars and captain 49 00:03:11,639 --> 00:03:15,359 Speaker 3: of the cosmos chose to descend upon our world wrapped 50 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:18,800 Speaker 3: in humility. Iro did not come as a charioteer writing 51 00:03:18,800 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 3: the stars, but as a baby lying vulnerably in a manger. 52 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 3: I'm excited to begin this journey with you. I hope 53 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:28,960 Speaker 3: this fresh take on the life of Jesus will compel 54 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 3: you to draw near to God and challenge you to 55 00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:34,520 Speaker 3: take his character upon you. The truth is we can't 56 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 3: encounter the story of Jesus and leave unchanged. His life 57 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:42,440 Speaker 3: miracles and words demand a response from us. With each episode, 58 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 3: you will discover deeper layers to the person, work, and 59 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:48,840 Speaker 3: might of Jesus. My prayer for you is that Jesus 60 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:51,600 Speaker 3: would grip your heart and remind you that he can 61 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:54,880 Speaker 3: be your hero too. We will begin this episode with 62 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 3: a prelude, a story captured from another space and time. 63 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 3: It is impossible for us to explore Jesus without first 64 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 3: going to the beginning, when mankind was first exposed to 65 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:10,040 Speaker 3: darkness and hope for the light began. Here is episode 66 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:12,080 Speaker 3: one He Is Coming. 67 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:23,440 Speaker 4: Prelude, Chapter one. In the beginning, there was silence. There 68 00:04:23,440 --> 00:04:26,680 Speaker 4: was no singing of angels in the heavens, no creatures 69 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 4: howling on the earth. Darkness loomed over the chaotic waters, 70 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:37,440 Speaker 4: and creation was but an idea, not yet manifested. Then, 71 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 4: in the dark and quiet mystery of an untamed universe, 72 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 4: a voice spoke, Let there be light, and a burst 73 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:55,440 Speaker 4: of life, and light broke through the noiseless void. The 74 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:59,920 Speaker 4: word of God formed and fashioned every detail of the cosmo. 75 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:05,920 Speaker 4: This word was powerful. This word was with God and 76 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:10,480 Speaker 4: was God. Beams of light and streams of water obeyed 77 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:16,520 Speaker 4: the word, and it was good. God created life itself 78 00:05:16,839 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 4: with his very voice. The earth and the fullness therein 79 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:25,479 Speaker 4: was created by Him and for him. Within his creation, 80 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:29,400 Speaker 4: he chose to reflect his own character and his own 81 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:34,919 Speaker 4: image through mankind. From the dust, he formed men and women, 82 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:39,159 Speaker 4: and he stamped them with his likeness. He created a 83 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 4: garden teeming with life and freedom. God dwelt in this 84 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:47,719 Speaker 4: garden with them. God commissioned man to tend to his 85 00:05:47,960 --> 00:05:52,120 Speaker 4: creation and enjoy it. They were to be fruitful and 86 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:56,479 Speaker 4: multiply all throughout the earth, bringing the character and image 87 00:05:56,520 --> 00:06:02,000 Speaker 4: of God. Wherever they stepped his creation, danced, and harmed, 88 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:07,560 Speaker 4: met with one another. It was a beautiful relationship. Yet 89 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 4: every relationship requires choice. God gave the first men and 90 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:18,040 Speaker 4: women the choice. They could choose to dwell with Him 91 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:21,200 Speaker 4: and follow in His ways, or they could be their 92 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:25,080 Speaker 4: own gods and know the burdens of good and evil. 93 00:06:26,520 --> 00:06:31,320 Speaker 4: Mankind chose wrongly. They chose to live a life that 94 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:35,280 Speaker 4: lit away from God and towards death. Because of this, 95 00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:39,120 Speaker 4: they were cast out from the garden. The ground beneath 96 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:42,599 Speaker 4: them was cursed and no longer produced food without labor. 97 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 4: The unity between husband and wife was tainted with strife. 98 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 4: The bond of brotherhood was marred with jealousy. Mankind chose 99 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:56,320 Speaker 4: to act as though they were their own creators, and 100 00:06:56,400 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 4: they ignored the voice of God. Darkness loomed once again. 101 00:07:03,839 --> 00:07:07,960 Speaker 4: Mankind was drawn away from the light. They tasted death 102 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 4: and an altogether worse darkness. Dwelled among them. Even though 103 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:18,520 Speaker 4: the light still shone brightly, it became dim to them. Cold, 104 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:23,760 Speaker 4: alone and broken, they fell deeper and deeper into their 105 00:07:23,760 --> 00:07:28,240 Speaker 4: own sin. The darkness was too much to bear. Its 106 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 4: weight was heavy, like the waves of the sea. The 107 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:35,480 Speaker 4: swells of sin billowed and beat against the vessels of 108 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 4: their souls. Yet there was one who had the single 109 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:41,280 Speaker 4: word that could calm it. 110 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:41,600 Speaker 2: All. 111 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:47,600 Speaker 4: The weight mankind was destined to drown under would be 112 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 4: poured out on another, God himself. The word would descend 113 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:57,920 Speaker 4: in a cosmic rescue mission to redeem his image bearers. 114 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:01,680 Speaker 4: The death that bound them children of God would be 115 00:08:01,760 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 4: chased out by the light of the world. By his 116 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:09,000 Speaker 4: wounds they would be healed, and by his blood they 117 00:08:09,040 --> 00:08:12,920 Speaker 4: would be washed clean. This is the story of that 118 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 4: light returning once again, and the hero of all creation 119 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:22,200 Speaker 4: redeeming his people. This new word was preceded by a 120 00:08:22,360 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 4: voice speaking into the silence. This voice came from a 121 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:38,240 Speaker 4: man named John. Chapter one, He is Coming. Nearly five 122 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 4: hundred years had passed since God had spoken to his 123 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:42,880 Speaker 4: people through the prophets. 124 00:08:43,720 --> 00:08:44,360 Speaker 2: The people of. 125 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 4: Israel longed for their promised hero. The Law and the 126 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:51,600 Speaker 4: prophets had spoken of a Messiah who had come to 127 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:57,480 Speaker 4: rescue them from oppression and bondage. So they waited, holding 128 00:08:57,600 --> 00:09:01,880 Speaker 4: fast to their religious traditions and practices that kept them 129 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:06,800 Speaker 4: tathered to their culture. The age of education, religion, and 130 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:11,840 Speaker 4: government had emerged in Israel, but not without cost. The 131 00:09:11,920 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 4: Roman Empire had conquered almost all the known world, and 132 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:20,200 Speaker 4: Caesar's grip on the nation of Israel was hard and cruel. 133 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:24,320 Speaker 4: The Jewish people remained faithful to the practices of the Temple, 134 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:28,719 Speaker 4: and the priests and pharisees grew more rigid in their 135 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:34,560 Speaker 4: religious dogmaey the nation was pining for a Messiah. Religious 136 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:39,080 Speaker 4: oppression from within and military oppression from without left God's 137 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:43,840 Speaker 4: people longing for a savior. In the days when Herod 138 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:47,600 Speaker 4: was king over Judea, there was a priest named Zecharia. 139 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:52,600 Speaker 4: He and his wife Elizabeth were beloved members of their community. 140 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 4: Together they sought the righteousness of God. Since they had 141 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:01,640 Speaker 4: not been blessed with the ability to have children, the 142 00:10:01,720 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 4: two of them dedicated their lives to the ministry of God. 143 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:09,040 Speaker 4: It pained them that they could not have children. It 144 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:13,199 Speaker 4: was a desire of their hearts for so long. Yet 145 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,400 Speaker 4: now that they were advanced in years, they had come 146 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:21,679 Speaker 4: to accept where the Lord had them. It was before 147 00:10:21,760 --> 00:10:24,640 Speaker 4: dawn and the sun had not yet made its way 148 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:29,040 Speaker 4: over the horizon. Zachariah woke up and breathed in the 149 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 4: coolness of the morning. He dressed himself in his ceremonial 150 00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:38,400 Speaker 4: robes strapped on his sandals. Was the day of Atonement, 151 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:42,480 Speaker 4: a special day where the priests would make sacrifices on 152 00:10:42,559 --> 00:10:46,560 Speaker 4: behalf of the people of God. His specific division was 153 00:10:46,559 --> 00:10:50,600 Speaker 4: on duty that morning. Zachariah walked the road leading up 154 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:53,880 Speaker 4: to the temple on the Jerusalem. He could see its 155 00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 4: gold fixtures reflecting on the rising sun. Its rays of 156 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:02,240 Speaker 4: light spread across the sea these streets, making it impossible 157 00:11:02,280 --> 00:11:06,440 Speaker 4: to ignore. Zachariah walked up to the temple and greeted 158 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:10,080 Speaker 4: his fellow priests. As was the custom, they were going 159 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 4: to cast lots to determine special roles for the priests. 160 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:17,440 Speaker 4: The first lot was to choose who would cleanse the 161 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 4: altar and prepare the fire for sacrifice. The second lot 162 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:26,520 Speaker 4: determined who would killed the morning sacrifice. The third lot 163 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:30,359 Speaker 4: was the most special of tasks. The third lot determined 164 00:11:30,520 --> 00:11:34,120 Speaker 4: who would come and offer incense in the Holy of holies, 165 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:38,080 Speaker 4: the presence of God covered by a thick veil in 166 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:41,800 Speaker 4: the depths of the temple. This third lot was at 167 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:47,439 Speaker 4: once in a lifetime opportunity. Hundreds of people were gathering 168 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:50,440 Speaker 4: outside the temple to take part in the morning worship. 169 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:54,000 Speaker 4: The sun was peeking over the temple roof and shone 170 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:58,760 Speaker 4: brightly over their faces. The priests gathered and the lots 171 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:02,880 Speaker 4: were passed. Zachariah watched as the lots fell into the 172 00:12:02,960 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 4: the or. The first was cast and fell on Amram, 173 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:10,960 Speaker 4: he would cleanse and prepare the altar. The second lot 174 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:13,400 Speaker 4: was flung into the air and landed on the name 175 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:17,960 Speaker 4: of Fival. He would killed the morning sacrifice. 176 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:18,480 Speaker 2: On behalf of the people. 177 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 4: Then came the third lot. The high priest passed the 178 00:12:22,679 --> 00:12:25,880 Speaker 4: lot high into the air, and everyone watched as it 179 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:31,240 Speaker 4: fumbled round the floor. Zachariah's eyes widened as he saw 180 00:12:31,280 --> 00:12:35,960 Speaker 4: the lot fall on his name. His heart began to pound, 181 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:39,679 Speaker 4: and his eyes immediately darted towards the high part of 182 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:44,560 Speaker 4: the temple. He was just chosen to enter the holiest 183 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 4: ground on earth, the chosen dwelling place of God. The 184 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:55,240 Speaker 4: gong sounded and referberated all throughout the temple courtyard. As 185 00:12:55,280 --> 00:12:59,640 Speaker 4: Zachariah took steps forward towards the vale, the thick curtain 186 00:12:59,640 --> 00:13:05,840 Speaker 4: of motionless bottom laying heavy over a stone floor, Zachariah gulped. 187 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 4: Holding the incense in his hand. He did his best 188 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:12,679 Speaker 4: to keep his hand from shaking as he passed through 189 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 4: the veil opening into the room, the Holy of Holies, 190 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 4: the most holy place where no man could enter except 191 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:27,120 Speaker 4: for this one daying year. Zechariah faced the golden altar 192 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:31,680 Speaker 4: with the incense. He took a step forward, being mindful 193 00:13:31,679 --> 00:13:35,719 Speaker 4: of the rope tied round his waist. Many men had 194 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 4: died there behind the veil, so priests took precautions. The 195 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:46,280 Speaker 4: room was dimly lit by a single golden lampstand. It 196 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:51,760 Speaker 4: was silent, almost too silent. The only sound Zechariah could 197 00:13:51,760 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 4: hear was the pounding of his own heart. He approached 198 00:13:56,679 --> 00:14:02,800 Speaker 4: the altar cautiously. Zachariah never experienced something like this. Despite 199 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:06,319 Speaker 4: the room being empty, he could clearly feel the presence 200 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:11,160 Speaker 4: for another The incense burned and filled the room with 201 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:15,080 Speaker 4: a rich smoke. Its haze made the dim light from 202 00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:20,520 Speaker 4: the lampstand disperse in several directions. Zechariah closed his eyes 203 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:23,960 Speaker 4: and took a deep breath. Before he could utter any 204 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:27,640 Speaker 4: word of prayer, a burst of light knocked him down 205 00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:31,520 Speaker 4: on his back. Zechariah stumbled to his feet before gazing 206 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:34,080 Speaker 4: up to see an Angel of the Lord on the 207 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:37,680 Speaker 4: right side of the altar. The smoke covered his face 208 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:42,200 Speaker 4: and Zechariah thought he was being attacked. The angel was 209 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:48,800 Speaker 4: a glorious sight, almost indescribable to nature and stature. He 210 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:54,040 Speaker 4: was gloriously terrifying. Fear overcame Zechariah as he fell to 211 00:14:54,120 --> 00:14:55,480 Speaker 4: his face, trembling. 212 00:14:55,680 --> 00:14:59,840 Speaker 2: This is where I die. He thought, the angel must 213 00:14:59,840 --> 00:15:03,400 Speaker 2: have come to kill me. The angel was perched on 214 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:07,480 Speaker 2: the altar, looking down at the trembling priest. Despite their 215 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:12,359 Speaker 2: closeness to heaven, angels did not fully understand the relationship 216 00:15:12,480 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 2: God had with these creatures, so imperfect yet so beloved 217 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:19,280 Speaker 2: by the Most High. 218 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:24,400 Speaker 4: The angel peered at Zechariah, as many humans did when 219 00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 4: seeing angels. He was incredibly afraid and shaking. The angel 220 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 4: comforted him, saying, do not be afraid, Zachariah. 221 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 5: To day your prayers have been answered. 222 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:40,560 Speaker 4: The quivering priest looked up to see what seemed to 223 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:45,320 Speaker 4: be a smile on the angel. Slightly curious, but still afraid, 224 00:15:45,760 --> 00:15:47,440 Speaker 4: Zechariah rose to his feet. 225 00:15:48,080 --> 00:15:52,040 Speaker 5: The angel continued, saying, the Lord has found you and 226 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:56,640 Speaker 5: your wife people of favor. You too will soon bear 227 00:15:56,680 --> 00:15:59,760 Speaker 5: a son, and his name will be John. 228 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:04,040 Speaker 4: Zachariah's jaw nearly hit the floor with disbelief as he 229 00:16:04,120 --> 00:16:07,960 Speaker 4: watched the creature speak. Sensing the doubt in the priest, 230 00:16:08,320 --> 00:16:10,160 Speaker 4: the angel continued. 231 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:12,479 Speaker 5: Ah, what a joy it will be for your household. 232 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:17,840 Speaker 5: Many will rejoice. Set this little one's burn, for he 233 00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:21,120 Speaker 5: will be special. Yes, he will be a great voice 234 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:24,800 Speaker 5: proclaiming the coming of our Lord. His words will go 235 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 5: forth like iron to wood and reach the hearts of many. 236 00:16:29,400 --> 00:16:31,720 Speaker 5: Be sure that this child is not given to wine 237 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 5: or strong drink, for he will need his wits about 238 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:36,760 Speaker 5: him for the coming mission. 239 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:40,760 Speaker 4: The angel's presence grew more palpable as he raised his 240 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:43,280 Speaker 4: hands to heaven and shouted. 241 00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:46,880 Speaker 5: Yes, Zachariah, your son will be filled with the spirit 242 00:16:46,960 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 5: of the Living God, even from his mother's wound. The 243 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:54,120 Speaker 5: Holy Spirit will mold and shape his heart to know 244 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:54,920 Speaker 5: his will. 245 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 4: Zachariah stepped back, tempted to slap himself to wake up. 246 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:04,160 Speaker 4: Was not a dream? Before him stood a heavenly being 247 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:07,920 Speaker 4: telling him that he and his aged wife were going 248 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:10,520 Speaker 4: to have a son, and somehow he was going to 249 00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:15,719 Speaker 4: be special. The angel cocked his head towards the feral priest. 250 00:17:16,440 --> 00:17:19,840 Speaker 4: An intensity boiled up in his eyes, and his voice 251 00:17:19,880 --> 00:17:20,920 Speaker 4: grew more serious. 252 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:25,880 Speaker 5: The spirit and power of Elijah was prophesied to return 253 00:17:26,040 --> 00:17:29,600 Speaker 5: and prepare the nation of Israel for their king. It 254 00:17:29,640 --> 00:17:34,280 Speaker 5: will be your son, Zachariah, who carries that burden. He 255 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:37,240 Speaker 5: will turn many hearts to the wisdom and justice of God. 256 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:44,440 Speaker 5: He will prepare the way for the coming Messiah, the Messiah. 257 00:17:44,520 --> 00:17:49,119 Speaker 2: But this cannot be true, Zachariah exclaimed, Look at me, 258 00:17:49,880 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 2: I'm an old man. My wife is well, at fast 259 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:57,840 Speaker 2: past child bearing years. Perhaps you have the wrong. 260 00:17:57,880 --> 00:17:58,879 Speaker 5: I am Gabriel. 261 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 4: The angel interrupted with a gust of wind behind his voice. 262 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:06,800 Speaker 4: The booming sound launched Zechariah off his feet. 263 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:10,280 Speaker 5: I stand in the presence of the most high Creator himself. 264 00:18:11,119 --> 00:18:13,159 Speaker 5: It is I who was sent to speak to you 265 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:16,560 Speaker 5: this good news, and here you stand in doubt. 266 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:21,200 Speaker 4: The Angel's power was felt in this moment. It wasn't human, 267 00:18:21,800 --> 00:18:27,399 Speaker 4: it was something else entirely. Zachariah covered his face before 268 00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:31,440 Speaker 4: he could respond. Gabriel spoke, saying, you. 269 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:34,280 Speaker 5: Will see the goodness of God before your very eyes. 270 00:18:35,119 --> 00:18:38,760 Speaker 5: But behold, you will not be able to speak until 271 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:42,399 Speaker 5: your son is born. Your speech will be taken from you, 272 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:46,800 Speaker 5: therefore forcing you to truly consider the blessing of God 273 00:18:47,160 --> 00:18:51,680 Speaker 5: within yourself. Hear me, this word will be fulfilled. 274 00:18:52,600 --> 00:18:57,320 Speaker 4: Gabriel was silent and leaned down to the crying priest. 275 00:18:57,480 --> 00:19:02,639 Speaker 4: With a resolute voice filled with how and hope, he whispered, 276 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:10,720 Speaker 4: he is coming. Whose final words the angel disappeared into 277 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 4: the smoke of the burning incense. Much time had passed 278 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:19,920 Speaker 4: since Zechariah entered behind the veil. The other priests were 279 00:19:19,920 --> 00:19:24,160 Speaker 4: growing worried. However, when he emerged that they were unable 280 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:27,360 Speaker 4: to know what had happened. For just as Gabriel declared 281 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:32,480 Speaker 4: he was unable to speak, Zechariah's face was white as shock, 282 00:19:33,040 --> 00:19:36,399 Speaker 4: Yet deep within his soul he knew what the angel 283 00:19:36,440 --> 00:19:40,600 Speaker 4: said was true. He stumbled home, and that night he 284 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:44,880 Speaker 4: made love to Elizabeth and fell asleep in her warm embrace. 285 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:48,840 Speaker 4: Just a few months later, as Elizabeth was walking to 286 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:52,359 Speaker 4: retrieve water, she could feel the slight cakes of the 287 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:56,520 Speaker 4: baby in her womb. Her eyes welled up with tears 288 00:19:56,920 --> 00:19:58,240 Speaker 4: as she fell to her knees. 289 00:19:58,640 --> 00:20:01,400 Speaker 1: Oh the Lord has he smiled upon me. 290 00:20:01,960 --> 00:20:06,800 Speaker 4: She whispered to herself. So Elizabeth continued to praise God 291 00:20:07,160 --> 00:20:11,160 Speaker 4: as Zechariah struggled in his silence. God was clearly at 292 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:14,200 Speaker 4: work in them. They could see the will of God 293 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:19,080 Speaker 4: dimly but not yet fully formed. That was until they 294 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:25,639 Speaker 4: were paid a visit from Elizabeth's cousin Mary. 295 00:20:26,359 --> 00:20:29,000 Speaker 3: Everything is being set up for Jesus to come, and 296 00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:32,480 Speaker 3: I can't wait to see how the story unfolds. This 297 00:20:32,560 --> 00:20:37,480 Speaker 3: episode set up a foundation for us, specifically with the prelude. 298 00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:40,480 Speaker 3: The prelude took us all the way back to the beginning, 299 00:20:40,760 --> 00:20:43,600 Speaker 3: when the Word of God spoke the expanse of heaven 300 00:20:44,040 --> 00:20:47,440 Speaker 3: and the foundation of earth into existence. We were given 301 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:50,840 Speaker 3: a poetic overview of the creation's story, followed by the 302 00:20:50,920 --> 00:20:54,080 Speaker 3: telling of man's fall from Paradise. At the end of 303 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:57,199 Speaker 3: the prelude. We are supposed to feel this longing for 304 00:20:57,280 --> 00:21:00,800 Speaker 3: the light of mankind to return. Not just longing, but 305 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:04,000 Speaker 3: a deep need to be saved. No doubt, many of 306 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:06,440 Speaker 3: us have felt like boats being tossed to and fro 307 00:21:06,520 --> 00:21:09,399 Speaker 3: by the storms of life ever since the Garden of 308 00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:12,840 Speaker 3: Eden we have been longing for peace, light, and life. 309 00:21:13,359 --> 00:21:16,679 Speaker 3: The prelude connects us to that deep need while also 310 00:21:16,840 --> 00:21:20,720 Speaker 3: offering us hope that redemption is coming. He is coming. 311 00:21:21,440 --> 00:21:23,919 Speaker 3: The prelude puts a great deal of emphasis on the 312 00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:27,000 Speaker 3: Word of God. John One tells us that the Word 313 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:30,439 Speaker 3: of God became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus is 314 00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:33,520 Speaker 3: referred to as the Word of God. Why, to put 315 00:21:33,600 --> 00:21:38,159 Speaker 3: it simply, words are our greatest tool to express our identities, hopes, 316 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:43,040 Speaker 3: and intentions. Jesus is God's way of expressing his identity, hope, 317 00:21:43,320 --> 00:21:44,080 Speaker 3: and intentions. 318 00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:44,639 Speaker 2: For us. 319 00:21:45,080 --> 00:21:47,960 Speaker 3: Jesus is the embodiment of who God is and the 320 00:21:48,040 --> 00:21:51,439 Speaker 3: highest expression of truth. And just as the Word of 321 00:21:51,480 --> 00:21:55,080 Speaker 3: God formed the cosmos, he wants to form us as well. 322 00:21:55,560 --> 00:21:58,320 Speaker 3: He wants to take the chaotic nothingness within us and 323 00:21:58,359 --> 00:22:01,399 Speaker 3: create order. He wants to speak peace to the sees 324 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:04,800 Speaker 3: that rage within us and speak light and life into 325 00:22:04,880 --> 00:22:08,520 Speaker 3: the barren wastelands of our hearts. The Creation story is 326 00:22:08,560 --> 00:22:11,399 Speaker 3: not just a poetic account of what happened. It is 327 00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:14,160 Speaker 3: an invitation to have the same thing happen to us. 328 00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:18,760 Speaker 3: As this series unfolds and the Word of God, Jesus speaks. 329 00:22:19,480 --> 00:22:22,040 Speaker 3: Remember that it is the same voice that said, let 330 00:22:22,119 --> 00:22:25,200 Speaker 3: there be light, Allow the unformed parts of your heart 331 00:22:25,280 --> 00:22:28,840 Speaker 3: to be spoken to, and wait as paradise grows within 332 00:22:28,920 --> 00:22:33,119 Speaker 3: your soul. After the prelude were introduced to Zachariah, a 333 00:22:33,160 --> 00:22:35,920 Speaker 3: priest in the Temple of Jerusalem, he was a part 334 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:38,760 Speaker 3: of a religious structure that was designed to preserve the 335 00:22:38,840 --> 00:22:43,000 Speaker 3: Jewish people under intense persecution. The history of Jewish suffering 336 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:46,840 Speaker 3: cannot be understated. Since they're enslavement in Egypt. They have 337 00:22:46,880 --> 00:22:51,280 Speaker 3: been attacked, enslaved, and subjected by every major empire that 338 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:56,240 Speaker 3: ruled each age. However, faith, the Law of Moses, tradition, 339 00:22:56,720 --> 00:22:59,800 Speaker 3: and a rich heritage kept them alive. It is important 340 00:22:59,800 --> 00:23:03,359 Speaker 3: to mention this because the religious Jews will occasionally come 341 00:23:03,440 --> 00:23:06,840 Speaker 3: across as villains in this series. They aren't the villains. 342 00:23:07,080 --> 00:23:10,760 Speaker 3: They built a dogmatic religious structure that protected them from 343 00:23:10,760 --> 00:23:14,080 Speaker 3: assimulating into Roman culture, and it was that system that 344 00:23:14,240 --> 00:23:17,359 Speaker 3: kept a culture alive long enough to see the long 345 00:23:17,400 --> 00:23:21,520 Speaker 3: awaited Messiah come. Zacharia is not just a character in 346 00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:24,520 Speaker 3: this episode. He is a symbol. He is a symbol 347 00:23:24,560 --> 00:23:28,680 Speaker 3: of the transition between two religious systems. The Old Covenant 348 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:31,920 Speaker 3: promises and laws established by God in the Old Testament 349 00:23:32,440 --> 00:23:36,120 Speaker 3: is about to be fulfilled, making a path for a 350 00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:39,840 Speaker 3: new covenant through Jesus. Zacharia's son is going to be 351 00:23:39,920 --> 00:23:43,560 Speaker 3: the forerunner for Jesus, preparing hearts for the new work 352 00:23:43,640 --> 00:23:47,639 Speaker 3: God is about to do. There is symbolic significance to 353 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:51,560 Speaker 3: Zachariah entering the Holy of Holies behind the veil. This 354 00:23:51,800 --> 00:23:54,760 Speaker 3: was the place where the manifest presence of God dwelt, 355 00:23:55,119 --> 00:23:58,240 Speaker 3: separated from the rest of the world by a thick curtain. 356 00:23:58,880 --> 00:24:02,520 Speaker 3: This whole story is about the veil being torn, giving 357 00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:05,560 Speaker 3: every man and woman access to God. At the end 358 00:24:05,560 --> 00:24:08,359 Speaker 3: of this series you will hear about the veil again. 359 00:24:09,080 --> 00:24:12,080 Speaker 3: Our hero's body will be torn asunder, and the veil 360 00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:15,679 Speaker 3: separating God and man will be torn as well. When 361 00:24:15,760 --> 00:24:18,639 Speaker 3: Zachari enters the Holy of Holies, we are given the 362 00:24:18,680 --> 00:24:22,520 Speaker 3: ominous feeling that someone else is there with him. Clearly, 363 00:24:22,560 --> 00:24:25,399 Speaker 3: the presence of God is palpable in that room, but 364 00:24:25,520 --> 00:24:29,120 Speaker 3: there is another as well, a creature unlike anything Zacharia 365 00:24:29,280 --> 00:24:34,320 Speaker 3: has ever seen. The story uses the word creature purposefully. Oftentimes, 366 00:24:34,320 --> 00:24:37,280 Speaker 3: when angels are portrayed in movies, they're given a cute 367 00:24:37,320 --> 00:24:40,159 Speaker 3: and harmless quality, but that is not how the Bible 368 00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:44,280 Speaker 3: describes them. Some angels are described in detail and are 369 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:50,199 Speaker 3: frankly terrifying. Angels like Gabriel are described with more humanlike characteristics, 370 00:24:50,520 --> 00:24:53,760 Speaker 3: but they were not simply humans with pretty wings. There 371 00:24:53,840 --> 00:24:56,639 Speaker 3: was a different quality to them and a glory that 372 00:24:56,760 --> 00:25:00,879 Speaker 3: instilled fear in anyone they came into contact with. The 373 00:25:00,880 --> 00:25:03,639 Speaker 3: Bible also tells us that we get access to God 374 00:25:03,760 --> 00:25:07,040 Speaker 3: in a way that angels marvel at. Although they are 375 00:25:07,080 --> 00:25:10,919 Speaker 3: heavenly beings, their relationship with God is not like ours. 376 00:25:11,440 --> 00:25:14,359 Speaker 3: They do not bear his image or get access to 377 00:25:14,400 --> 00:25:17,359 Speaker 3: his heart in the same way. This is why Gabriel's 378 00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:20,439 Speaker 3: interaction with humans in this story is supposed to be 379 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:23,800 Speaker 3: a little awkward and different from a simple human to 380 00:25:23,920 --> 00:25:28,159 Speaker 3: human interaction. Gabriel will visit again in this series. The 381 00:25:28,200 --> 00:25:31,680 Speaker 3: angel has a message for Zachariah. His wife will give 382 00:25:31,680 --> 00:25:34,280 Speaker 3: birth to a baby boy, and his name will be John. 383 00:25:34,800 --> 00:25:38,320 Speaker 3: According to Gabriel, he will be a great voice proclaiming 384 00:25:38,359 --> 00:25:41,040 Speaker 3: the coming of the Lord. His words will go forth 385 00:25:41,160 --> 00:25:43,760 Speaker 3: like iron to wood and reach the hearts of many. 386 00:25:44,640 --> 00:25:48,880 Speaker 3: Elizabeth bearing a child is highly improbable, and Zachariah reminds 387 00:25:48,920 --> 00:25:53,080 Speaker 3: Gabriel that they are both beyond. Zachariah's protest is an 388 00:25:53,119 --> 00:25:56,960 Speaker 3: interesting one because it reveals an ignorance of the scriptures. 389 00:25:57,080 --> 00:25:59,760 Speaker 3: All throughout the Old Testament, God showed favor to his 390 00:26:00,400 --> 00:26:04,240 Speaker 3: people by opening up the baron womb. There are six 391 00:26:04,280 --> 00:26:08,200 Speaker 3: stories of barren women in the Old Testament, Sarah, Rebecca, 392 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:11,960 Speaker 3: and Rachel, who are all matriarchs. There was also Hannah, 393 00:26:12,040 --> 00:26:15,639 Speaker 3: the mother of the prophet Samuel, the unnamed mother of Samson, 394 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:19,800 Speaker 3: and a Shunamite woman who was an assistant to Elisha. 395 00:26:20,359 --> 00:26:23,880 Speaker 3: In all these instances, God opens up their wounds so 396 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:28,000 Speaker 3: they can give birth to God's chosen patriots, heroes, and prophets. 397 00:26:28,520 --> 00:26:30,960 Speaker 3: This is perhaps one of the most important patterns in 398 00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:35,360 Speaker 3: the entire Bible. This ongoing motif was trumpeting the promise 399 00:26:35,480 --> 00:26:38,640 Speaker 3: of a son. In each of these stories, the son 400 00:26:38,720 --> 00:26:41,399 Speaker 3: that came from the baron woman went to suffer and 401 00:26:41,480 --> 00:26:45,840 Speaker 3: redeem God's people in some way. Isaac was almost sacrificed 402 00:26:45,880 --> 00:26:48,480 Speaker 3: at the altar, but went on to continue the promise 403 00:26:48,520 --> 00:26:52,280 Speaker 3: of Abraham. Jacob fled for his life but became Israel. 404 00:26:52,760 --> 00:26:56,040 Speaker 3: Joseph was sold in the slavery, nearly killed, but rose 405 00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:59,639 Speaker 3: to power to redeem his family. Samson waged war against 406 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:03,480 Speaker 3: the Phillis and died to save his nation. Samuel was 407 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:05,399 Speaker 3: given up as a young boy to be a priest, 408 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:08,480 Speaker 3: then served the nation of Israel as their last judge. 409 00:27:08,840 --> 00:27:11,720 Speaker 3: The Shunamite son died but was brought back to life 410 00:27:11,720 --> 00:27:15,000 Speaker 3: by Elisha. All of these men came from baron wounds 411 00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:19,160 Speaker 3: and modeled in some way the life of Jesus. Zachariah 412 00:27:19,359 --> 00:27:22,960 Speaker 3: should have known better when protesting God's promise. Let me 413 00:27:23,040 --> 00:27:25,960 Speaker 3: ask you a question. What is more impossible than a 414 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:30,760 Speaker 3: barren woman becoming pregnant a virgin becoming pregnant. God is 415 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:34,520 Speaker 3: going to transition from doing the improbable to the impossible. 416 00:27:35,200 --> 00:27:37,920 Speaker 3: Our story ends with a dim picture of things to come, 417 00:27:38,680 --> 00:27:42,960 Speaker 3: but the image is getting clearer. The unknown future presented 418 00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:47,280 Speaker 3: to Zachariah and Elizabeth represents the obscurity of Jesus's arrival. 419 00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:51,800 Speaker 3: There are whispers, veiled prophecies, and echoes of things to come, 420 00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:55,399 Speaker 3: but nobody can fully be prepared for what's about to happen. 421 00:27:55,840 --> 00:27:59,280 Speaker 3: An unlikely hero is coming, and the long awaited light 422 00:27:59,359 --> 00:28:03,000 Speaker 3: is about to shar into the darkness. Our journey has begun, 423 00:28:03,400 --> 00:28:06,120 Speaker 3: and I can't wait to see what happens next. Join 424 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:09,959 Speaker 3: us next time for episode two You are Chosen, we 425 00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:12,680 Speaker 3: will meet the two people chosen by God to raise 426 00:28:12,720 --> 00:28:16,840 Speaker 3: his Son. Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, 427 00:28:17,160 --> 00:28:20,520 Speaker 3: daily prayers and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to 428 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:24,119 Speaker 3: pray dot com. And to expand your heroes in the 429 00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:28,600 Speaker 3: Bible Journey, download the Heroes of the Faith devotional at 430 00:28:28,680 --> 00:28:33,520 Speaker 3: Tonyevans dot org Forward slash Heroes. Follow the podcast on 431 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:37,840 Speaker 3: Apple or Spotify to get the newest episodes right as 432 00:28:37,880 --> 00:28:41,640 Speaker 3: they come out, and always be inspired by the Bible. 433 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:42,640 Speaker 3: God bless