A priest, God’s servant, described as Righteous, blameless and a keeper of all God’s commandments. One who faithfully served The Lord day in, day out. One who dedicatedly administered sacrifices and offered prayers for multitudes, having the very rare privilege of burning incense at the Lord’s temple. He was careful, meticulous and cautious, making sure laid down guidelines were followed. 

Alas! Zacharias was Barren!  ‘Barren’ for a man, you ask? Alright, Zacharias was advanced in age and yet childless. 

Luke boasts to have given an orderly account of events; probably subconsciously attempting to arrive at a logical end, something similar to a diagnosis. The picture his orderly account in Luke chapter 1 paints of Zacharias, God’s own priest, suggests a sad, near-disgruntled, unsatisfied yet faithful servant of God, with an unmet need (a child; just a child). 

Questions: Why did it take God so long to send Gabriel to Zacharias? Was it fair for Gabriel to have made Zacharias dumb and mute considering his period of wait? How many times had Zacharias prayed for a child, waited expectantly for a manifestation and yet experienced nothing? How many times had he trusted and believed for the miracle of a child and yet got no obvious response? Has Zacharias been  truly doubtful as he served or was Gabriel’s observation a one-off? Or had constant waiting and believing without seeing an expected corresponding response eroded his faith and patience? 

Too many questions…and yet more questions…

The Lord did not forget Zacharias. He did not forget his servant’s devotion and commitment. He remembered his labour of love, overlooked his doubtful and imperfect nature (if truly) and honored him. In the end Zacharias didn’t just get a child, he got the ‘premessiah’, the forerunner to the Christ. 

Be encouraged today as you serve. He will not forget your labor of love. If He said ‘ a labourer is worthy of good wages’, then rest assured that He knows exactly what to do for you. The miracle you expect will not come in the way you’ve envisioned it, no! It’ll be bigger, greater, wider, exceeding your best imaginations. 

Keep serving and loving The Lord. Any other options are unattractive and devilish ?

Compliments of the season.