Divine Disruptions - Part 1

The Christmas story is a story of several divine disruptions. 

We are all experiencing a divine disruption this year.

Difficulties happen. Even to the faithful.

Luke 1:5-7

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

The Daily Routine

Luke 1:8-10

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

• There were 24 priestly orders established by King David to manage the activities in the temple. 
• Each priestly order would serve 2 weeks each year and serve at the 3 major festivals.
• The crowd praying was the normal practice. 
• Lots were cast because there more priests in each order than needed. 
• We often do not recognize God’s hand in real time. His work is easier to see in the rear view mirror.
• This had been the routine for over 400 years. 
• No one had heard from God in any significant way since God last spoke through the prophet Malachi. 
• The daily routine continued in the temple year after year, decade after decade, century after century. 

This sounds mundane but for many it was comfortable. 

A Divine Disruption

Luke 1:11-17

While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

• Wow! After 400 years of silence God is moving in a big way! 
• No one expected this. Especially Zechariah.

Disobedience 

Luke 1:18-20

Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

19Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

• Sometimes the bible cleans things up. 
• Zechariah’s was clearly stronger than what is recored because Gabriel responds so harshly to him. 

The disruption continues

Luke 1:21-22

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. 22When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

The disruption becomes a blessing

Luke 1:23-25

When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. 24Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25“How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

John is born…

The Path to Peace

Luke 1:67

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

Luke 1:76-79

“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. 77You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. 78Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, 79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Prepare the way!

Luke 3:3-6

Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 4Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,

“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!

Clear the road for him!

5The valleys will be filled,

and the mountains and hills made level.

The curves will be straightened,

and the rough places made smooth.

6And then all people will see

the salvation sent from God.’”

What barriers are standing between you and God? 

• Prepare the way for the Lord!
• Clear the road for Him! 

I Have Decided…

…to trust God in the midst of disruption.