Special Delivery

Luke 1
That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand
of our enemies might serve Him without fear.  Luke 1:74

To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of
their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the
dayspring from on high hath visited us.  Luke 1:77-78 

Luke was a Gentile doctor converted to Christianity. He wrote Book of Acts
before the Gospel of Luke. He accompanied Paul on various missionary trips.
Only Luke gives the accounts of six miracles by Jesus and nineteen parables
told by Him.
About 490 years passed since the Messiah's coming was predicated in
Daniel 9:24-27.

LET IT GLOW

Angels, which are messengers of God, had special delivery news to bring
down to earth. It was straight from the throne room.

The angel Gabriel appears to a priest named Zecharias to announce that his
wife Elisabeth would have a son named John. verse 13
Then about six months later Gabriel visits a young virgin named Mary, who
is engaged to Joseph, of David's leneage. She is told of her son's upcoming
birth, The Messiah Jesus.
Another angelic visit happened to Joseph in Matthew 1:18-24.
The shepherds were told by angels about the Messiah's birth in Luke 2.

What a special day for each of these people. It was a "once in a lifetime"
event. How did they react to the angels' messages?
Zacharias didn't believe it, thus he couldn't talk for at least nine months
until John was born; Mary submitted to God's will for her life; shepherds
went to worship the Savior where the angel said He would be.

How do I react to the good news of Jesus; how do I react to what Jesus has
to say to me?

LET IT GROW

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and
thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
(verse 13)
Zacharias' prayer was heard. Which prayer? It must have been the ones
for he and his wife to have children. By now, they were both "well stricken in
years."
The angel told Zac. that they would have a son and to call him John. He told
the purpose of John's life in verse 16. Specific instruction were given for John,
like no drinking wine or strong drink. He would be filled with the Holy Ghost,
even before his birth.
Don't you know there was gladness, joy, and rejoicing at
John's birth. (verse 14) What a blessing for Zach and Beth-a son to preach
God's Word.

But Zach didn't believe Gabriel's words. As a result, he could not speak until
John was born and named. I wonder if every time Zach said John's name
that he remembered the angel's message and his doubt.

We know the rest of the story-John the Baptist preached repentance and
baptised for the remission of sins. He was the forerunner of Jesus.

LET IT GO

Listen to Jesus' Words and  His messengers, believe  and obey them.

Lord, sometimes even  mustard seed sized faith is hard.

Trust in God's Way being the right way.