Advent, Serious Version, Luke 1:1-25

Impossible Things, Part I

Luke 1:1-25

As I’ve read Luke’s account, I have often wondered why he would begin with John’s coming, instead of the Messiah, Jesus’ coming.  And other than the obvious chronological aspect, I had not given it more than a passing thought, until I began to learn more about the prophecy in Malachi.  According to this prophecy, the Messiah could not come until Elijah had come (Malachi 4:5-6).  And since Elijah had been taken up into heaven via chariot of fire, the priests and Jewish leaders of that day expected him to return in the same shocking manner. (The Ante Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1, records a conversation between a believer, Justin Martyr, and a rabbi Trypho in 100 A.D. that highlights the dismissive attitude Jewish leaders held towards Jesus, due to John’s physical birth; it’s a fascinating read!) 

So this man, Zachariah, was called to believe two impossible things, one that truly upset the beliefs of that day, and a second that directly impacted his own life.  He was in a holy place, the Temple, burning incense to the Lord and praying.  Then, with fear and awe, he receives a visit from the angel Gabriel.  Zachariah was then told that he and his wife, both past child-bearing years, would have a child.  And what a child!  He would be the cause of rejoicing; filled with the Holy Spirit from birth; a forerunner in the spirit and power of Elijah, making ready a people for the coming Lord (Luke 1:13-17).

Yet of which two impossible things did Zachariah speak his doubt?  That Elijah was coming?  No, he spoke his disbelief that he could have a child at his advanced age.  And he, a descendant from Abraham and Sarah, questioned God’s ability to bring forth life from an aging womb! 

How often do we doubt our own abilities, instead of trusting in God’s fulfillment of these impossible things?  But God was faithful, no matter Zachariah’s doubt, and brought forth both life from a barren womb, and a man with the spirit and power of Elijah; filling John with the Holy Spirit from birth. And by this, fulfilling the prophecy through John that Elijah had come, and that the Messiah was coming!  As confirmation, Matthew wrote that as Jesus was coming down from the mount of Transfiguration, he addressed the disciple’s question about the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5: 

And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?”  He answered,  “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things.  But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased.  So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.”  Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. (Matthew 17:10-13)

And our ballast of belief in the impossibly wondrous things that are written in scripture is in His words.  For faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).  Let us hold fast to these impossible things, for they are right and true!  And have hope in the prophecy that is spoken over all our lives.  For He who has come, is coming again!

An Email to my Thursday Ladies

The Lord is doing a good work and, bear with me, I've just got to preach it to somebody! 

(Can I get an "Amen sister!")

Turn in your bibles to Nehemiah 8:10. 

Now Nehemiah and Ezra and the Levites had just read God's law aloud to the Israelites. It had been forgotten for generations and, when they heard it, they were all convicted for the first time in their lives. They heard about a holy, holy ("he's not a tame lion") God and were weeping because their hearts were broken by conviction and repentance. 

So, everybody pull out the sackcloth and ashes, right?

No! God calls for rejoicing!

"And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.
"Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
"So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them." (Nehemiah 8:9-12 ESV)

Amazing, isn't it? I am amazed. :) God will never let us go, and for that I am so thankful. He keeps on us until we see and understand. Then, once we do, he gives us a command to rejoice! Rejoice before this holy God who has worked the miracle of salvation and then made us holy! 

God is just stunning. 

Love you all! :) 

"Oh my goodness gracious..."

That's what my 3 year old said today. "Oh my goodness gracious" echoed from the many times that he has heard me say it. He said it while coming down the hall for breakfast and my husband and I simultaneously looked at each other and laughed.

My eldest has been entertaining us with some really great and clever remarks recently. While eating yogurt, he told his utensils: "Sorry Fork, this is a job for Spoon." He also has become very proficient in the use of the words "because" and "why". Most often he uses them together. And asks again after every explanation which leads to quite a string of information. Until finally, I have to say the much used Mommy Sentence "Because I said so."

And my second born has been entertaining us in an even more frightening way. He is quite the daredevil and has no fear. He isn't afraid of high slides, or climbing the monkey bars (not that he can, but he tries), nor is he afraid of swimming. When dunked under water he comes up spluttering and laughing.

I love them. :)

Patien(ce)t

The rail-thin old man leans forward, the ugly, faded patient gown falling off of one shoulder. His face curls up as he grimaces and forcefully states, "Git out o' my face. I'm walkin' out o' 'ere."

Gently laying her hand on his shoulder, praying for patience and clarity in the mind of her patient, the ICU nurse reminds the man of his recent surgery and the need to remain seated. Seeing that she is making headway and the man was calming down, she removes her hand and sits down on the bed across from his chair.

The nurse puts her best smile on and, adding a soft southern tone, she asks the patient if he would like a television brought into the room. She smiles and apologizes that they don't have a television and explains that the ICU doesn't usually have patients with entertainment needs. Still smiling, she waits for his reply.

The old man leans forward, and with just as much force as before, "I am tired o' yur voice." After this statement, he shuts his mouth in a firm, hard line.

The nurse takes a moment to take that comment in. Raising an eyebrow and reminding herself that he probably didn't mean it, she gets up still smiling and half-sarcastically states, "Well, that's the
easiest problem to solve!" And she walks out of the room to the desk behind the glass windows, praying he doesn't try to stand up or Houdini out of his restraints in the moments her back is turned.

She sits at the desk and takes a moment to breathe. Looking down at the notepads, charts and pens which lay scattered on the desk, she runs through her mind the events of the day. A trifle discouraged, she looks at the computer and finds this as the verse of the day:

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."

-Hebrews 6:10

The fog is lifted, the message of encouragement is received and, like a dove finding a resting place, her thoughts become still and peace is found.

The nurse smiles. Her Father was just waiting for her to look up, to see the kindness in His eyes.


***

Written back in 2007, when I was a Real Nurse. :)

“Do you not care that we are perishing!?”

How frequently do I panic.

I’m tired, a day hasn’t gone well, the children are fussy, I have a fight with my husband - and I panic! God, don’t you care? 

His response - “Peace! Be still!” to the wind and the waves. 

And even the wind and sea obey him! (v. 41.) How amazing, how incredible - how revealing! 

And my panic is meaningless... no, not meaningless, because he cares - but rather, moot - a purely academic debate. He, who calms the storm, has control over my life and has allowed these tempests in my life for His sovereign purpose. 

This, is what faith in God looks like. This, is what sanctification is made up of. Tempest and trusting, child-like, in His grace. 

And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Mark 4: 36-31