Wednesday 19 December 2012

Background

The story of the conception of John the Baptist has echoes ofseveral Old Testament narratives which recount the birth ofsignificant figures in Israel's history. In particular there areseveral echoes of the account in Judges13 of the birth of Samson - a couple unable to have childrenare visited by an angel who promises that a child will be born toexercise a special ministry which must be accompanied by abstinencefrom alcohol.

The Old Testament figure who is named in Luke 1 is Elijah. There is a double reference here. Thehistoric character is implied - here again is one who will recallthe people to their devotion of the Lord. After his translation toheaven, Elijah took on another significance - his return (as in Malachi 4:5-6) would herald God's interventionin the affairs of God's own people; the ministry of Elijah is toprepare people for judgement.

The messenger informing Zechariah that he is to be the father ofthe new Elijah names himself as Gabriel (verse 19). It was Gabrielwho informed Daniel that the end of his people's exile was imminent(Daniel 9). We are not told for what Zechariah had been praying;Gabriel's first words to him ("Your prayer has been heard" (v. 13))may refer to a request for a child or to the petitions of afaithful priest praying for the liberation of his people.

Zechariah's response to the vision is to question the angel'smessage (verse 18), a response that results in his enforced silence(verse 20). Again, there is an echo of the story of Daniel (Daniel10:15-16) who was so overwhelmed by one of his visions that hewas unable to speak until his mouth was opened. Gabriel's snapjudgement on Zechariah's hesitation to accept the message may seemharsh. 'I am old….' (v. 18) is trumped by 'I am Gabriel…' (v. 19),and the months of muteness can be understood not so much as apunishment for unbelief as a sign that this is all divineactivity.

To Ponder

• The inference we might draw from this story is that Zechariahhad no expectation that his prayer would be answered. How do youthink/expect God will act to answer your prayers?Dramatically?

• The number of echoes of the Old Testament in this passage pointus to a ministry which will resemble that of some figures in someways but will also have its own character. In what ways can youunderstand your discipleship as like that of Christians from anearlier age whilst still being uniquely yours?