Zechariah, the priest, had prayed for many years for the coming of the Messiah. He knew from prophecy that the time was near. While he was ministering in the Holy Place of the temple, an angel suddenly appeared with a message for him: He and his wife were going to have a child who would go forth to prepare the hearts of the people for the Messiah.
Zechariah knew about Abraham and his wife having a miracle child in their old age and that Abraham believed Him faithful who had promised. But for a moment he forgot that what God promises He will do, and so asked the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
What a difference from Mary of Nazareth, who answered the angel who told her she was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”
In answer to Zechariah’s question, the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God and am sent to speak to you and show you these glad tidings!” (Luke 1:19, 20) “You shall know this I say is true because you will not be able to speak until this takes place.” Sure enough, when Zechariah went out to the people, he couldn’t say a word.
There is a truth taught in this story that we often forget. We can of ourselves do no good thing because we inherited a sinful nature from the first man, Adam, and any good we do is tainted with selfishness. But God is willing and able to change us if we are willing to let Him and trust Him to do it.
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