ORDINARY PEOPLE

ZECHARIAH AND ELIZABETH
Read Luke 1:1-25

     "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name 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."   Luke 1:13-15a NIV

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     For many years this humble couple in Jerusalem wanted a child, but in spite of continued disappointment, they faithfully served and obeyed God. Zechariah was one of many priests who took their turns burning incense in the temple. How surprised he must have been at this sudden visit by the angel Gabriel, promising him a son - so surprised that he reacted in unbelief: Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." (Luke 1:18)

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     How wonderful it is that God chooses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Little did Zechariah and Elizabeth realize that they would become the parents of John the Baptist, the prophesied forerunner of Jesus the Messiah.

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     Lord, I have no idea what your plans are for the future of our children, but my deepest desire is that they will follow You. We are ordinary people, but I am trusting in Your extraordinary plan for our lives.

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     And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."    Luke 1:17 NIV (Malachi 4:6)