Zacharias (Men of Christmas 1)

This is the first in a series of blog posts in the Men of Christmas online Bible study where we are considering three men who play key roles in the story of Christmas.

These blog posts are meant as an introduction and supplement to the main chat that takes place on Twitter on consecutive Monday nights, December 2, 9 and 16 from 7:00-8:00 pm PST USA under the hashtag: #MenofChristmas.

ZACHARIAS

The first of the men of Christmas that we are looking at is Zacharias. He is the husband of Elizabeth who is cousin to Mary, who ultimately becomes the mother of Jesus, the Savior of the world.

The story of Zacharias is found in Luke 1:5-25. (And you’ll want to make sure to read those verses to be ready for chat.)

A HOPELESS SITUATION

The story of Zacharias is a story about hope in the midst of hopelessness. Scripture makes clear the hopelessness of Zacharias (and his wife)…

“But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.” (Luke 1:7)

Have you ever found yourself in a hopeless situation? Are you in one now?

AN ORDINARY GUY

And the main thing I want to point out about Zacharias and his hopeless situation is, first of all, something about Zacharias himself. He’s just a simple, plain, ordinary, every day guy. (And Zacharias’ wife, Elizabeth, is just a simple, plain, ordinary, every day gal herself.)

And Zacharias as a simple, plain, ordinary, every day guy, the point is this: He has a part in the plan of God. (Let that sink in, you who are a simple, plain, ordinary, every day guy yourself. Gals, too.)

And that’s how the Lord most often works. He chooses simple, plain, ordinary, every day guys (and gals) and then He does something wonderful in and around and through them.

Are you hearing me?

A SAVED MAN

A second thing I want to point out about Zacharias (and his wife, too) is this…

“They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.” (Luke 1:6)

And so Zacharias is saved. He’s born again. (John 3:3) He’s got Jesus in his heart.

How do we know?

Because only a Christian (they aren’t called “Christians” in the time of Zacharias, but that’s what he is!) ~ Because only a Christian can walk “blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord” and be righteous in His sight. It is through faith in Jesus Christ (faith in the Messiah) that those things are accomplished. (John 3:16) This is the faith that Zacharias had to have had for this to be written about him in the Scriptures. (Romans 10:9-10)

And the Lord does miracles especially and most often for men “who are His” (and women, too) is what I want you to walk away with here.

Are you His (by faith)? (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1-2) Could you use a miracle? (Matthew 17:20)

A MIRACULOUS EXAMPLE

Ultimately for Zacharias, God gives him a baby boy in his old age. (Luke 1:24a)

And this miracle of Zacharias (and his wife, Elizabeth) will be a crucial example to a young girl named Mary who will bear the Savior. (Luke 1:31, 36-37)

Thus concludes this introduction and supplement to Men of Christmas Bible Study 1.

Hope to see you at chat.

(Elizabeth Visited by Mary picture above is in the public domain: click here. PD-US)