1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:03,920 Speaker 1: Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne 2 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:08,800 Speaker 1: of Grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace 3 00:00:08,880 --> 00:00:15,040 Speaker 1: for help in time of need. Hebrews four sixteen. Gracious, 4 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:19,240 Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, thank you for this incredible invitation to approach 5 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:24,799 Speaker 1: you with boldness and confidence, knowing that we will find 6 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: grace and mercy in our time of need. Help us 7 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:34,960 Speaker 1: to truly understand and appreciate this profound privilege. You have 8 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:37,960 Speaker 1: opened the way for us through the sacrifice of your son. 9 00:00:39,320 --> 00:00:42,720 Speaker 1: Because of him, we can come to you directly with 10 00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:49,360 Speaker 1: all our fears, doubts, struggles and joys. Teach us to 11 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 1: turn to you in every situation, whether in times of joy, pain, 12 00:00:55,520 --> 00:01:02,080 Speaker 1: or uncertainty. May we continuously seek your face, assured that 13 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 1: you are always ready to listen, to extend mercy and 14 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 1: to grant us the grace we need. And the precious 15 00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 1: name of Jesus, we pray Amen. 16 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 2: The voice of God had remained silent towards his chosen 17 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:31,160 Speaker 2: people for four hundred years. The sons and daughters of 18 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:35,040 Speaker 2: Israel ached for the arrival of their prophesied savior, a 19 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:38,680 Speaker 2: messiah promised by the scriptures to liberate them from their shackles. 20 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:44,120 Speaker 2: Despite the silence, their faith persisted, grounded by rituals and 21 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:48,560 Speaker 2: traditions that wove the fabric of their unique culture. Israel 22 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 2: had emerged as a hub of learning, religion, and governance, 23 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 2: albeit under the crushing. 24 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:55,320 Speaker 3: Weight of Rome's iron rule. 25 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 2: Juraism thrived, yet was gripped by the rigidity of pharisitical 26 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 2: and interpretations, and Caesar's brutal regime overshadowed any semblance of peace. 27 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:08,520 Speaker 2: Israel cried out for a savior to quell the religious 28 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:11,720 Speaker 2: and military turmoil. In the age of King Herod's reign 29 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:15,080 Speaker 2: of a Judea, a priest named Zachariah and his wife 30 00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:19,640 Speaker 2: Elizabeth served as pillars of their community. Childless yet devout, 31 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 2: they sought solace and purpose in serving God. The barrenness 32 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:27,359 Speaker 2: of their union was a silent wound they carried, yet 33 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:31,120 Speaker 2: they found fulfillment in different ways. Zachariah was a priest 34 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:36,280 Speaker 2: and Elizabeth was a nurturing presence in their village. 35 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:38,560 Speaker 4: I'm so glad you've joined us on the Bible in 36 00:02:38,600 --> 00:02:42,960 Speaker 4: a Year podcast today, but before we get to today's episode, 37 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 4: I want you to know that I would absolutely love 38 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:48,760 Speaker 4: to send you my daily devotional that will give you 39 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:53,600 Speaker 4: fresh encouragement every single morning and day from the moment 40 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:56,240 Speaker 4: we wake up to the moment our head finally hits 41 00:02:56,280 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 4: the pillow. There are thousands of things demanding attention, but 42 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 4: it's in the midst of all this crush and hustle 43 00:03:03,919 --> 00:03:06,760 Speaker 4: and bustle that you and I need peace and truth 44 00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:09,400 Speaker 4: in God's Word. That's why I want to help you 45 00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 4: spend time each day growing in God's life giving, life 46 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:18,279 Speaker 4: changing word by sending you my free daily email devotional 47 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:23,040 Speaker 4: PowerPoint Today. So visit Jagraham dot org to sign up 48 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:28,920 Speaker 4: for your PowerPoint Today devotional. That's Jagraham dot org. Jack 49 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:33,800 Speaker 4: Graham dot org. We're taking time from now until Christmas 50 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 4: to explore the rich and powerful story of the Nativity. 51 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:41,160 Speaker 4: So far, we've taken time to set the stage for 52 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:46,040 Speaker 4: Christ's survival. We immersed ourselves in prophecy and history to 53 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 4: put ourselves in the shoes of ancient Israel. The prophecies 54 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 4: have been declared, the boot of Rome is pressed down harder, 55 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 4: and Israel is ready for its redeemer. Now we enter 56 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 4: the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. These two figures are 57 00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:06,320 Speaker 4: significant to the overarching narrative of scripture. Zechariah as a 58 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:09,600 Speaker 4: priest under the Old Covenant of Israel. He ministers in 59 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:13,080 Speaker 4: the temple and performs sacrifices on behalf of God's people. 60 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:18,239 Speaker 4: He represents the law of Moses and the relationship between 61 00:04:18,279 --> 00:04:22,560 Speaker 4: God and Israel. Elizabeth, much like the matriarchs of the 62 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:26,360 Speaker 4: Old Testament, is barren in her old age. She also 63 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:30,160 Speaker 4: represents the Old Covenant people who pine after a child 64 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:34,279 Speaker 4: to save them. Zechariah and Elizabeth are about to be 65 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:37,640 Speaker 4: visited by an angel, hearkening to the arrival of a 66 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:42,159 Speaker 4: new covenant established by God. Zechariah and Elizabeth represent the 67 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:45,719 Speaker 4: transition between the Old and the New Testaments. So let's 68 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:49,480 Speaker 4: immerse ourselves in their story in this dramatic telling of 69 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:54,719 Speaker 4: loop Chapter one. Afterwards will take time to unpack the 70 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:56,800 Speaker 4: timeless Christmas themes. 71 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:02,440 Speaker 2: Zachariah rose from his bed with aching bones. The sun 72 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:05,960 Speaker 2: rose over the hills surrounding Jerusalem. Its light trickled in 73 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 2: ever so slightly through his window, illuminating his sleeping wife 74 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 2: beside him. He adorned himself in his ceremonial garb and 75 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:16,839 Speaker 2: prepared for the day of Atonement, a sacred occasion marked 76 00:05:16,839 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 2: by offerings and sacrifices. His priestly division was assigned to 77 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:24,159 Speaker 2: perform the rites that day. As he ascended the temple's steps, 78 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:27,960 Speaker 2: the Golden Tower of Jerusalem shimmered with the dawn's first light. 79 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:30,880 Speaker 3: Zachariah greeted his fellow priests. 80 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 2: As they prepared to cast lots for the day's rolls, 81 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 2: a ritual of divine selection. As the crowd of worshippers 82 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:40,239 Speaker 2: swelled outside the temple, lots were cast under the radiant 83 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:43,800 Speaker 2: glow of the sunrise. Zachariah looked on as two of 84 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:46,919 Speaker 2: his companions were chosen to prepare the altar and perform 85 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:50,560 Speaker 2: the morning sacrifice. As the third lot was cast the 86 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:54,920 Speaker 2: honour of offering incense in the Holy of Holies, Zachariah's heart 87 00:05:55,040 --> 00:06:01,240 Speaker 2: pounded with anticipation. To his disbelief, his name urged, bestowing 88 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:06,039 Speaker 2: him the rare opportunity to enter God's sanctified dwelling. A 89 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:10,040 Speaker 2: resonating gong signaled his steps towards the imposing veil that 90 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 2: partitioned the Holy of Holies. Clutching the incense, he entered 91 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:18,279 Speaker 2: the veiled room, an enclave reserved for the yearly ritual. 92 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:22,440 Speaker 2: The dimly lit sanctuary, accented by the soft glow of 93 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:27,039 Speaker 2: a solitary lampstand was filled with the smoky aroma of incense. 94 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 2: An unnerving silence pervaded, broken only by Zachariah's height and heartbeat. 95 00:06:33,839 --> 00:06:37,159 Speaker 2: Zachariah looked around, getting the feeling that he was not alone. 96 00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:38,520 Speaker 3: He knew that. 97 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:41,600 Speaker 2: Entering the inner sanctuary meant he would be in the 98 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 2: presence of God, Yet he felt something else in the room, 99 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:51,200 Speaker 2: something otherworldly, was with him. Before he could articulate a prayer, 100 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:55,640 Speaker 2: a radiant being appeared beside the altar. Zacharia covered his 101 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:59,080 Speaker 2: eyes and fell to his knees. A messenger from God 102 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:03,360 Speaker 2: stood before him, an angel whose visage was partially obscured 103 00:07:03,400 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 2: by the incense smoke. Zachariah pressed his face to the ground, 104 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 2: his mind consumed by the notion of imminent death. Is 105 00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:16,720 Speaker 2: God going to strike me down? Thought Zachariah. Fear overcame him. 106 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 2: The angel's features were human like, but he was not 107 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:23,160 Speaker 2: a mere man. Perched beside the altar, he spoke with 108 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 2: calming reassurance, saying. 109 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 5: Fear not, Zachariah, Your prayers have been heard, He said, a. 110 00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:34,600 Speaker 2: Hint of a smile, dancing on his divine features. As 111 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:41,120 Speaker 2: Zachariah stood up, the angel unfolded a divine prophecy. Your wife, Elizabeth, 112 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:44,200 Speaker 2: will bear you a son, and you shall call his 113 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:48,360 Speaker 2: name Charn. The joy and gladness of his birth will 114 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 2: breash your home, for the Lord has chosen him for greatness. 115 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:55,679 Speaker 3: A smile curled around the angel's face. 116 00:07:56,600 --> 00:07:59,560 Speaker 5: He will turn many of the children of Israel back 117 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:02,680 Speaker 5: to the God, and he will go before him with 118 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:06,360 Speaker 5: the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the 119 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 5: hearts of fathers back to their children, and the disobedient 120 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:11,240 Speaker 5: back to wisdom. 121 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:16,200 Speaker 2: He will prepare the way of the Lord. Zechariah listened 122 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 2: with awe and disbelief. Although a divine being stood before him, 123 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 2: the concept of his wife conceiving it her age seemed impossible. 124 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:28,600 Speaker 3: But how can this be? Zacharia explained, I am an. 125 00:08:28,560 --> 00:08:32,800 Speaker 2: Old man, and my wife is advanced in years who 126 00:08:32,920 --> 00:08:37,600 Speaker 2: he could impossibly I am Gabriel. The angel interrupted with 127 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 2: righteous light. 128 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:42,559 Speaker 5: I stiled in the presence of God himself. 129 00:08:43,280 --> 00:08:45,080 Speaker 3: I was sent to bring you good news. 130 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:49,560 Speaker 5: Yet you stand here in doubt of His power because 131 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 5: you have not believed my words. You will be silent 132 00:08:52,480 --> 00:08:55,360 Speaker 5: until the promise of God has been fulfilled. 133 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 3: Zachariah held his mouth. 134 00:08:57,840 --> 00:09:00,440 Speaker 2: And felt the power of his voice leave him. In 135 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 2: an instant, Gabriel departed from him, emerging from the Holy 136 00:09:04,679 --> 00:09:08,440 Speaker 2: of Holies. Zachariah was rendered mute, instilling a sense of 137 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:12,680 Speaker 2: trepidation amongst the other priests. He returned home, unable to 138 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:15,720 Speaker 2: share what he had seen. He entered his home and 139 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:19,400 Speaker 2: greeted his wife. They held each other close, and Zachariah 140 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:22,160 Speaker 2: shared a tender moment with his bride of many years. 141 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 3: In the ensuing months. 142 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:26,959 Speaker 2: Elizabeth felt the first stirrings of life within her. 143 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:30,360 Speaker 3: As she touched her belly. Tears of joy streamed down 144 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:30,840 Speaker 3: her face. 145 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:34,320 Speaker 2: Even as she praised God and Zachariah grappled with his 146 00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:39,600 Speaker 2: enforced silence. They felt the divine hand in their lives. However, 147 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:42,520 Speaker 2: the full breadth of God's plan was yet to unferl 148 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 2: something they would realize with the unexpected visit of Elizabeth's 149 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:47,200 Speaker 2: cousin Mary. 150 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:54,840 Speaker 4: Our podcast has been dedicated to finding the synergy between 151 00:09:54,880 --> 00:09:57,840 Speaker 4: the Gospel and the Hebrew Bible. One of the most 152 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:02,119 Speaker 4: significant links between the two is the story of Zechariah, Elizabeth, 153 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:06,320 Speaker 4: and John the Baptist. These figures connect the traditions of 154 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:08,960 Speaker 4: the Old Testament to the hope of the New Testament. 155 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:13,040 Speaker 4: Zechariah as a priest under the Old Covenant of Israel. 156 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 4: He ministers in the temple and performs sacrifices on behalf 157 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:23,080 Speaker 4: of God's people, though sacrifices ultimately pointed toward the atonement 158 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:27,200 Speaker 4: of Jesus on the Cross. When he meets Gabriel, he's 159 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 4: told that his son would be a herald proclaiming the 160 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:33,600 Speaker 4: way of the Lord. John the Baptist would go on 161 00:10:33,640 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 4: to be a forerunner for Jesus, preparing people's hearts for 162 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 4: his arrival. John the Baptizer would go on to be 163 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:45,520 Speaker 4: a forerunner for Jesus, preparing people's hearts for his arrival. 164 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:50,280 Speaker 4: We cannot underestimate the powerful imagery used in the account 165 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:54,200 Speaker 4: of Luke. Zechariah entered the presence of God with fear, 166 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 4: adorned in ceremonial garments, not sure if he would live 167 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:02,560 Speaker 4: or die. Contrasts that with the encouragement we are given 168 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:07,040 Speaker 4: in Hebrews chapter four. Having then a great high priest 169 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:10,520 Speaker 4: who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God. 170 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:14,920 Speaker 4: Let's hold tightly to our confession for we don't have 171 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:17,480 Speaker 4: a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling 172 00:11:17,520 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 4: of our infirmities, but one who has been in all 173 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 4: points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let's therefore 174 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:28,880 Speaker 4: draw near with boldness to the Throne of Grace, that 175 00:11:28,960 --> 00:11:32,199 Speaker 4: we may receive mercy and may find grace for help 176 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:35,320 Speaker 4: in time of need. The role of a priest like 177 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:39,360 Speaker 4: Zechariah was to be an intermediary between the people and God, 178 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 4: making prayers and sacrifices on their behalf. In a greater sense, 179 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:48,560 Speaker 4: Jesus is our high priest, which connects us to the 180 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:52,679 Speaker 4: heart of God. Because of his sacrifice on the cross, 181 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 4: we don't have to approach God with trepidation, but with 182 00:11:56,000 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 4: boldness and assurance of his love for us. Marjah's story 183 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:04,600 Speaker 4: is the last Biblical account of a temple ritual, hearkening 184 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:07,480 Speaker 4: to a new age of Christ, who is the fulfillment 185 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:12,000 Speaker 4: of the Old Testament. There's also profound imagery found in Elizabeth. 186 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 4: She had waited long for the Lord to provide her 187 00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:17,840 Speaker 4: with a child and had lost hope, but she would 188 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:23,120 Speaker 4: ever conceive. Her barrenness represents the lifeless state of Israel. 189 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:27,319 Speaker 4: Then Israel had pined after the promised son foretold by 190 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 4: the prophets. But it had been so long that hope 191 00:12:31,160 --> 00:12:35,680 Speaker 4: was fading. But God was on the move. He visited 192 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:40,319 Speaker 4: Elizabeth and her old age, just like he did with Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, 193 00:12:40,679 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 4: and Hannah. He opened up her womb and gave her 194 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:49,440 Speaker 4: a son, John. All these accounts in the Bible of 195 00:12:49,520 --> 00:12:53,880 Speaker 4: barren wombs bearing children illustrate what God does in our hearts. 196 00:12:54,800 --> 00:12:58,880 Speaker 4: Spiritually speaking, we are unable to produce life for ourselves, 197 00:12:59,720 --> 00:13:04,400 Speaker 4: feel empty and without hope, but God chooses to enliven 198 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:07,360 Speaker 4: us with his spirit and fill us to the brim 199 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:13,000 Speaker 4: with new life. The miraculous nature of John's conception also 200 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 4: prepares us for another miraculous conception. In our next episode, 201 00:13:18,559 --> 00:13:22,640 Speaker 4: we'll meet Elizabeth's cousin Mary, who receives a visit from 202 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:27,440 Speaker 4: the angel Gabriel. God chooses her to carry a significant 203 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:31,760 Speaker 4: burden and the world will never be the same. Thank 204 00:13:31,760 --> 00:13:34,760 Speaker 4: you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 205 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:37,959 Speaker 4: I'm Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas, and before we go, 206 00:13:38,360 --> 00:13:40,080 Speaker 4: I want you to know that I would love to 207 00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:43,960 Speaker 4: send you my daily devotional to give you fresh encouragement 208 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:47,640 Speaker 4: every single day, so visit Jack Graham dot org to 209 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:51,840 Speaker 4: sign up for your PowerPoint Today devotional that's Jack Graham 210 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:52,839 Speaker 4: dot org.