It was probably the evening offering that was assigned to Zacharias. The incense was offered daily before the morning sacrifice at about 9 AM, and after the evening sacrifice, about 3 PM in the afternoon. This was a high honor that was permitted to a priest but once in a lifetime. As an aged man, it was a supreme honor given once in a lifetime to serve at the altar of incense. Zacharias was one of 24,000 priests who served 2 weeks each year by rotation. Next we meet his wife Elisabeth (meaning “His oath”). First we meet Zacharias whose name means “Yahweh remembers”. Open with me to Luke 1 and meet these two saints Zacharias and Elisabeth.Įven the order of their names in Hebrew conveys a message from God. In the weeks ahead we will meet within the pages of God’s Word many more of the characters of Christmas - the brooding and insecure Herod the Great the hopeful and faithful Joseph and Mary the seeking and worshipping Magi the simple and obedient shepherds and the waiting and watching Simeon and Anna. This week we meet an aged couple from Judea named Zechariah and Elisabeth parents of John the Baptist. Some of the greatest characters from the pages of Holy Writ come to life in this Drama of Christmas. The Scriptures devote Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2 – four chapters our of 1189 in the Bible, four chapters out of 260 in the New Testament, four chapters out of 89 in the Gospels – to this amazing event. So the Wonder of Redemption starts at the Incarnation – when God became a man, Christ Jesus, the Son of David. Only a perfect man could take the place of sinful mankind. Without the manger - we could have no Cross. Three places frame all that we believe this morning: Bethlehem, Golgotha, and the Empty Garden Tomb.Īt Christmas the Infinite One became and infant, the Creator laid in a cradle, the Most High slept in a manger. Three events shape all that we believe this morning: Christmas, the Cross, and Resurrection Sunday.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |