1 00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:04,320 Speaker 1: Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne 2 00:00:04,360 --> 00:00:09,200 Speaker 1: of Grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace 3 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:15,440 Speaker 1: for help in time of need. Hebrews four sixteen. Gracious, 4 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:19,640 Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, thank you for this incredible invitation to approach 5 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:25,200 Speaker 1: you with boldness and confidence, knowing that we will find 6 00:00:25,400 --> 00:00:29,920 Speaker 1: grace and mercy in our time of need. Help us 7 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 1: to truly understand and appreciate this profound privilege. You have 8 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:38,400 Speaker 1: opened the way for us through the sacrifice of your son. 9 00:00:39,720 --> 00:00:43,120 Speaker 1: Because of him, we can come to you directly with 10 00:00:43,240 --> 00:00:49,760 Speaker 1: all our fears, doubts, struggles and joys. Teach us to 11 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: turn to you in every situation, whether in times of joy, pain, 12 00:00:55,920 --> 00:01:02,480 Speaker 1: or uncertainty. May we continuously see your faith, assured that 13 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:07,400 Speaker 1: you are always ready to listen, to extend mercy and 14 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:12,040 Speaker 1: to grant us the grace we need. And the precious 15 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:15,640 Speaker 1: name of Jesus, we pray Amen. 16 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:23,760 Speaker 2: The voice of God had remained silent towards his chosen 17 00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:27,360 Speaker 2: people for four hundred years. The sons and daughters of 18 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:31,240 Speaker 2: Israel ached for the arrival of their prophesied savior, a 19 00:01:31,360 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 2: messiah promised by the scriptures to liberate them from their shackles. 20 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:40,319 Speaker 2: Despite the silence, their faith persisted, grounded by rituals and 21 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:44,760 Speaker 2: traditions that wove the fabric of their unique culture. Israel 22 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:48,200 Speaker 2: had emerged as a hub of learning, religion, and governance, 23 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:53,480 Speaker 2: albeit under the crushing weight of Rome's iron rule. Juraism thrived, 24 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:57,440 Speaker 2: yet was gripped by the rigidity of pharisitical interpretations, and 25 00:01:57,560 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 2: Caesar's brutal regime overshadowed any semblance of peace. Israel cried 26 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 2: out for a savior to quell the religious and military 27 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:08,639 Speaker 2: turmoil in the age of King Herod's reign of a Judea, 28 00:02:09,160 --> 00:02:12,400 Speaker 2: a priest named Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth served as 29 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 2: pillars of their community. Childless yet devout, they sought solace 30 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:21,040 Speaker 2: and purpose in serving God. The barrenness of their union 31 00:02:21,160 --> 00:02:24,600 Speaker 2: was a silent wound they carried, yet they found fulfillment 32 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:28,800 Speaker 2: in different ways. Zachariah was a priest and Elizabeth was 33 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 2: a nurturing presence in their village. 34 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:36,720 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham. With today's episode of the 35 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 3: Bible and a Year podcast, We're taking time from now 36 00:02:40,680 --> 00:02:44,400 Speaker 3: until Christmas to explore the rich and powerful story of 37 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:48,360 Speaker 3: the Nativity. So far We've taken time to set the 38 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:53,040 Speaker 3: stage for Christ's arrival. We immersed ourselves in prophecy and 39 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:56,240 Speaker 3: history to put ourselves in the shoes of ancient Israel. 40 00:02:57,440 --> 00:03:00,240 Speaker 3: The prophecies have been declared, the boot of rome Hoome 41 00:03:00,320 --> 00:03:04,079 Speaker 3: is pressed down harder, and Israel is ready for its redeemer. 42 00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 3: Now we enter the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. These 43 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 3: two figures are significant to the overarching narrative of scripture. 44 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:16,200 Speaker 3: Zechariah is a priest under the Old Covenant of Israel. 45 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 3: He ministers in the temple and performs sacrifices on behalf 46 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 3: of God's people. He represents the Law of Moses and 47 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:29,480 Speaker 3: the relationship between God and Israel. Elizabeth, much like the 48 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 3: matriarchs of the Old Testament, is barren in her old age. 49 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 3: She also represents the Old Covenant people who pine after 50 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:41,880 Speaker 3: a child to save them. Zechariah and Elizabeth are about 51 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:45,200 Speaker 3: to be visited by an angel, hearkening to the arrival 52 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 3: of a new covenant established by God. Zechariah and Elizabeth 53 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:52,760 Speaker 3: represent the transition between the Old and the New Testaments. 54 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:56,880 Speaker 3: So let's immerse ourselves in their story. In this dramatic 55 00:03:56,960 --> 00:04:01,800 Speaker 3: telling of Luke, Chapter one afterwards will take time to 56 00:04:01,920 --> 00:04:04,200 Speaker 3: unpack the timeless Christmas themes. 57 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:10,040 Speaker 2: Zachariah rose from his bed with aching bones. The sun 58 00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:13,560 Speaker 2: rose over the hills surrounding Jerusalem. Its light trickled in 59 00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:17,239 Speaker 2: ever so slightly through his window, illuminating his sleeping wife 60 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:21,000 Speaker 2: beside him. He adorned himself in his ceremonial garb and 61 00:04:21,080 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 2: prepared for the day of Atonement, a sacred occasion marked 62 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:28,200 Speaker 2: by offerings and sacrifices. His priestly division was assigned to 63 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:31,760 Speaker 2: perform the rites that day. As he ascended the temple steps, 64 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:35,520 Speaker 2: the Golden Tower of Jerusalem shimmered with the dawn's first light. 65 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:39,279 Speaker 2: Zachariah greeted his fellow priests as they prepared to cast 66 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:42,719 Speaker 2: lots for the day's rolls, a ritual of divine selection. 67 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:46,600 Speaker 2: As the crowd of worshippers swelled outside the temple, lots 68 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:50,359 Speaker 2: were cast under the radiant glow of the sunrise. Zachariah 69 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 2: looked on as two of his companions were chosen to 70 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:56,440 Speaker 2: prepare the altar and perform the morning sacrifice. As the 71 00:04:56,480 --> 00:05:00,159 Speaker 2: third lot was cast, the honor of offering incense the 72 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:06,240 Speaker 2: Holy of Holies, Zachariah's heart pounded with anticipation. To his disbelief, 73 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:10,720 Speaker 2: his name emerged, bestowing him the rare opportunity to enter 74 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:16,200 Speaker 2: God's sanctified dwelling. A resonating gong signaled his steps towards 75 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:20,800 Speaker 2: the imposing veil that partitioned the Holy of Holies. Clutching 76 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:24,719 Speaker 2: the incense, he entered the veiled room, an enclave reserved 77 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:29,160 Speaker 2: for the yearly ritual. The dimly lit sanctuary, accented by 78 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:32,640 Speaker 2: the soft glow of a solitary lampstand, was filled with 79 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 2: the smoky aroma of incense. An unnerving silence pervaded, broken 80 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 2: only by Zachariah's height and heartbeat. Zachariah looked around, getting 81 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:43,840 Speaker 2: the feeling that. 82 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:44,719 Speaker 1: He was not alone. 83 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:48,560 Speaker 2: He knew that entering the inner sanctuary meant he would 84 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:52,960 Speaker 2: be in the presence of God, yet he felt something 85 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:57,240 Speaker 2: else in the room, something otherworldly, was with him. Before 86 00:05:57,320 --> 00:06:01,200 Speaker 2: he could articulate a prayer, a radiant beating appeared beside 87 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:04,599 Speaker 2: the altar. Zachariah covered his eyes and fell to his knees. 88 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:08,880 Speaker 2: A messenger from God stood before him, an angel whose 89 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 2: visage was partially obscured by the incense smoke. Zachariah pressed 90 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:16,520 Speaker 2: his face to the ground, his mind consumed by the 91 00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:20,839 Speaker 2: notion of imminent death. Is God going to strike me down? 92 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 2: Thought Zachariah. Fear overcame him. The angel's features were human like, 93 00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:29,839 Speaker 2: but he was not a mere man. Perched beside the altar, 94 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 2: he spoke with calming reassurance, saying. 95 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:37,599 Speaker 4: Fear not, Zachariah, Your prayers have been heard. 96 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:40,599 Speaker 2: He said, a hint of a smile, dancing on his 97 00:06:40,680 --> 00:06:44,960 Speaker 2: divine features. As Zachariah stood up, the angel unfolded a 98 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:50,120 Speaker 2: divine prophecy. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, 99 00:06:50,720 --> 00:06:54,000 Speaker 2: and you shall call his name Charm. The joy and 100 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 2: gladness of his birth will bless your home, for the 101 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:02,480 Speaker 2: Lord has chosen him for greatness. A smile curled around 102 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 2: the angel's face. 103 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:07,159 Speaker 4: He will turn many of the children of Israel back 104 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:10,280 Speaker 4: to their God, and he will go before him with 105 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:13,920 Speaker 4: the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the 106 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:17,520 Speaker 4: hearts of fathers back to their children, and the disobedient 107 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 4: back to wisdom. He will prepare the way of the Lord. 108 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 2: Zachariah listened with awe and disbelief, although a divine being 109 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 2: stood before him, The concept of his wife conceiving it 110 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 2: her age seemed impossible, But how can this be? Zachari explained, 111 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:39,120 Speaker 2: I am an old man, and my wife is advanced 112 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 2: in years, who he could impossibly I am Gabriel, the 113 00:07:44,200 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 2: angel interrupted with righteous light. 114 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 4: I stiled in the presence of God himself. I was 115 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:54,280 Speaker 4: sent to bring you good news. Yet you stand here 116 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:58,120 Speaker 4: in doubt of his power because you have not believed 117 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:00,040 Speaker 4: my words. You will be silent. 118 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 2: Until the promise of God has been fulfilled. Zachariah held 119 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:07,800 Speaker 2: his mouth and felt the power of his voice leave him. 120 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:11,920 Speaker 2: In an instant, Gabriel departed from him, emerging from the 121 00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:15,920 Speaker 2: Holy of Holies. Zachariah was rendered mute, instilling a sense 122 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:20,160 Speaker 2: of trepidation amongst the other priests. He returned home, unable 123 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:22,960 Speaker 2: to share what he had seen. He entered his home 124 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:26,320 Speaker 2: and greeted his wife. They held each other close, and 125 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:29,760 Speaker 2: Zachariah shared a tender moment with his bride of many years. 126 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:33,760 Speaker 2: In the ensuing months, Elizabeth felt the first stirrings of 127 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:36,880 Speaker 2: life within her. As she touched her belly. Tears of 128 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:40,360 Speaker 2: joy streamed down her face. Even as she praised God 129 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 2: and Zachariah grappled with his enforced silence. They felt the 130 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:48,319 Speaker 2: divine hand in their lives. However, the full breadth of 131 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:51,720 Speaker 2: God's plan was yet to unferl something they would realize 132 00:08:51,760 --> 00:08:54,800 Speaker 2: with the unexpected visit of Elizabeth's cousin Mary. 133 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:02,640 Speaker 3: Our podcast has been dedicated to finding the synergy between 134 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:05,680 Speaker 3: the Gospel and the Hebrew Bible. One of the most 135 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:09,960 Speaker 3: significant links between the two is the story of Zechariah, Elizabeth, 136 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 3: and John the Baptist. These figures connect the traditions of 137 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 3: the Old Testament to the hope of the New Testament. 138 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:20,840 Speaker 3: Zechariah as a priest under the Old Covenant of Israel. 139 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:25,200 Speaker 3: He ministers in the temple and performs sacrifices on behalf 140 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 3: of God's people, though sacrifices ultimately pointed toward the atonement 141 00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 3: of Jesus on the Cross. When he meets Gabriel, he's 142 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:38,080 Speaker 3: told that his son would be a herald proclaiming the 143 00:09:38,120 --> 00:09:41,400 Speaker 3: way of the Lord. John the Baptist would go on 144 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:44,960 Speaker 3: to be a forerunner for Jesus, preparing people's hearts for 145 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 3: his arrival. John the Baptizer would go on to be 146 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:53,319 Speaker 3: a forerunner for Jesus, preparing people's hearts for his arrival. 147 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:58,120 Speaker 3: We cannot underestimate the powerful imagery used in the account 148 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 3: of Luke. Zechariah entered the presence of God with fear 149 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:05,960 Speaker 3: adorned in ceremonial garments, not sure if he would live 150 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 3: or die. Contrast that with the encouragement we are given 151 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:14,840 Speaker 3: in Hebrews chapter four. Having then a great high priest 152 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 3: who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, 153 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:22,760 Speaker 3: Let's hold tightly to our confession, for we don't have 154 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:25,280 Speaker 3: a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling 155 00:10:25,320 --> 00:10:28,160 Speaker 3: of our infirmities, but one who has been in all 156 00:10:28,200 --> 00:10:33,480 Speaker 3: points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let's therefore 157 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:36,680 Speaker 3: draw near with boldness to the throne of Grace, that 158 00:10:36,760 --> 00:10:40,000 Speaker 3: we may receive mercy and may find grace for help 159 00:10:40,280 --> 00:10:43,120 Speaker 3: in time of need. The role of a priest like 160 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:47,160 Speaker 3: Zechariah was to be an intermediary between the people and God, 161 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:52,760 Speaker 3: making prayers and sacrifices on their behalf. In a greater sense, 162 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 3: Jesus is our high priest, which connects us to the 163 00:10:56,360 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 3: heart of God. Because of his sacrifice on the cross. 164 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:03,720 Speaker 3: We don't have to approach God with trepidation, but with 165 00:11:03,800 --> 00:11:08,560 Speaker 3: boldness and assurance of His love for us. Zechariah's story 166 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:12,400 Speaker 3: is the last Biblical account of a temple ritual, hearkening 167 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:15,280 Speaker 3: to a new age of Christ, who is the fulfillment 168 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:19,839 Speaker 3: of the Old Testament. There's also profound imagery found in Elizabeth. 169 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:23,040 Speaker 3: She had waited long for the Lord to provide her 170 00:11:23,080 --> 00:11:25,680 Speaker 3: with a child, and had lost hope that she would 171 00:11:25,679 --> 00:11:31,200 Speaker 3: ever conceive. Her barrenness represents the lifeless state of Israel. Then, 172 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 3: Israel had pined after the promised son foretold by the prophets, 173 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:39,480 Speaker 3: but it had been so long that hope was fading. 174 00:11:40,559 --> 00:11:44,079 Speaker 3: But God was on the move. He visited Elizabeth and 175 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 3: her old age, just like he did with Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, 176 00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:52,200 Speaker 3: and Hannah. He opened up her womb and gave her 177 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:57,240 Speaker 3: a son, John. All these accounts in the Bible of 178 00:11:57,360 --> 00:12:01,680 Speaker 3: barren wombs bearing children illustrate what God does in our hearts. 179 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:06,760 Speaker 3: Spiritually speaking, we are unable to produce life for ourselves. 180 00:12:07,480 --> 00:12:11,560 Speaker 3: We feel empty and without hope, but God chooses to 181 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:14,800 Speaker 3: enliven us with his spirit and fill us to the 182 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:19,960 Speaker 3: brim with new life. The miraculous nature of John's conception 183 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 3: also prepares us for another miraculous conception. In our next episode. 184 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:30,439 Speaker 3: We'll meet Elizabeth's cousin Mary, who receives a visit from 185 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 3: the angel Gabriel. God chooses her to carry a significant 186 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:39,720 Speaker 3: burden and the world will never be the same. Thanks 187 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:43,320 Speaker 3: for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm 188 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:47,319 Speaker 3: Pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download Theprey dot com 189 00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:50,319 Speaker 3: app that make prayer a priority in your life. If 190 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:53,240 Speaker 3: you enjoy this podcast, share it with someone you love. 191 00:12:53,559 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 3: By sharing this podcast, you can make a difference in 192 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:59,640 Speaker 3: someone's life. And if you want more resources on how 193 00:12:59,640 --> 00:13:03,680 Speaker 3: to tap into God's power for successful Christian living, be 194 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:07,960 Speaker 3: sure to visit Jagraham dot org. God bless you.