Advent slows us down and helps us pay attention to our hearts. We want to hope. We want to believe. But the weight of what has not yet happened often makes fear speak louder than faith. Zechariah’s story shows us how God works even when fear tries to take over. It gives us a picture of what it looks like to keep trusting God during a season of waiting.
1. A Faithful Priest With a Quiet Ache
Luke 1:5 to 7: “In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God observing all the Lords commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive and they were both very old.”
Zechariah and Elizabeth served God faithfully. They served Him with clean hands and clean hearts. Yet they carried a long lasting disappointment. They wanted a child. They prayed. They waited. It did not happen. Many of us know this kind of ache. We keep trusting. We keep doing what is right. And sometimes, despite all that, life still feels heavy.
2. Fear Responds First
Luke 1:11 to 12: “Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was startled and was gripped with fear.”
Zechariah was simply doing the work he had always done when God interrupted his normal. His first reaction was fear. Fear often steps in quickly, doesn’t it? Fear says this is too much. Fear says do not get your hopes up. Fear says you are not ready for this. Even in a season that points us to hope fear can speak loudly.
3. God’s Promise Meets Zechariah’s Hesitation
Luke 1:13 to 17:“But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid Zechariah your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you and many will rejoice because of his birth for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
God gives Zechariah a clear promise. But Zechariah responds with hesitation and doubt. “How can I be sure” he asks. We get it – they were both old! Like Zechariah we often focus on what looks impossible. But faith focuses on God’s power. And here is the encouraging truth the passage does show us: God continues His plan even when our trust feels uncertain.
4. A Silence God Appointed
Luke 1:19 to 22: “The angel said to him I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens because you did not believe my words which will come true at their appointed time. Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out he could not speak to them. They realised he had seen a vision in the temple for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.”
Zechariah is made silent by God for a time. Scripture does not tell us everything God was doing in those months, only that the silence was a direct result of his unbelief and that it would last until the promise was fulfilled. What we do see throughout Scripture is that God often works in quiet seasons. Even when we do not understand what He is doing His purposes continue to unfold.
5. God Lifts the Silence
Luke 1:57 and 64: “When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby she gave birth to a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy and they shared her joy. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free and he began to speak praising God.”
The promise is fulfilled. Zechariah obeys and writes the name God gave. Right then his mouth is opened and his tongue is released. Praise pours out. His doubt had led to silence. God is the One who lifted it.
Then in Luke 1:67 to 79, Zechariah speaks words filled with confidence in God. God remembers. God rescues. God brings light. God leads us into peace. Fear loses its grip. Trust grows. Hope rises again.
Reflection Questions
Where do you see your own story in Zechariah’s journey?
Which fear has been influencing your thoughts or decisions?
Where might God be inviting you to slow down and listen?
What simple step of obedience can shift your heart toward trusting God more this Advent?