5 During the rule of King Herod of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. 6 They were both righteous before God, blameless in their observance of all the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to become pregnant and they both were very old. 8 One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God because his priestly division was on duty. 9 Following the customs of priestly service, he was chosen by lottery to go into the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense. 10 All the people who gathered to worship were praying outside during this hour of incense offering. 11 An angel from the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and overcome with fear. 13 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to your son and you must name him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many people will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the Lord’s eyes. He must not drink wine and liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth. 16 He will bring many Israelites back to the Lord their God. 17 He will go forth before the Lord, equipped with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and he will turn the disobedient to righteous patterns of thinking. He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:5-17, CEB)
When Zechariah saw the angel he was startled and overcome with fear. Then the angel said don’t be afraid. Almost every time an angel appears in the bible it says do not be afraid. Why?
Have you looked at the description of angels in the bible? They are scary. Some of them have multiple head and multiple sets of wings. They don’t look like us. So they say don’t be afraid of me, I am not here to harm you.
The angel that appears to Zechariah gives him great news that he will be a father. Elizabeth you is barren will have a son and he will prepare the way for the Messiah.
We will all do things we do not think we can because of God working through us.
Always remember that.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 