Luke 1:5-25 The Angelic Announcement Introduction The Prophet laid down his pen. He proclaimed the message that God had given him. The message he proclaimed was that the Sun of righteousness would arise with healing in his wings for those that fear His name. The message promised that God was sending Elijah the prophet to turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers. And then they watched for that Sun of righteousness to arise. They waited patiently for Elijah to come. 400 years pass without so much as a single word coming from heaven. No word, no sign, no prophet, no message. Nothing, and then seemingly out of nowhere, at the most unexpected time God speaks. The silence is broken. God speaks here about the last subject He spoke about. 400 years had not caused God to forget His plan. God had not forgotten His promise, and now He speaks. In this passage God chose to speak through an Angel. Hebrews 1 tells us that God spoke in different manners before Christ came. He spoke through prophets, angels, dreams, visions, and once through a donkey. (That all ended once Christ came; so don t go looking for an angel). Gabriel makes it clear that God sent
him to speak to Zacharias on God s behalf. Joel Green says that the image implied by Gabriel standing in the presence of God is that of God s personal servant. Everything he says can then be taken as God s word. God s word found in this angelic announcement has one ultimate focus and that is Christ, but specifically it touches three areas that are worth examining as I preach on the Angelic Announcement. The first area this announcement speaks about is I. God s Forerunner V.11-17 A. God s Forerunner was Picked Appointed Chosen As God sends His word to Zacharias and ultimately the world that would come behind Him and read this book, He left no detail untouched. Absolutely nothing is arbitrary with God. The angel instructs Zacharias that he is to name his son, John. V.17 tells us that this child who is to be named John will go before the Lord. God knew who would be going before the Messiah when He prophesied about him 400 years before through the prophet Malichi. John being yet unborn certainly didn t volunteer. John had no choice in the matter. He was God s choice. He was chosen. The time he was born was chosen. His name was
chosen. Before John knew God, God knew John. What was true of Jeremiah was also true of John. Jer. 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. B. God s Forerunner was to be Prepared - Anointed Consecrated John was to be the Messiah s forerunner. God set John apart before he was born, but God also set John apart after he was born. V.15 the Angel commands Zacharias that John is not to have wine or strong drink. In this passage this command is given for John not to drink because he is going to be different. He is consecrated wholly unto God and to His service. There is a contrast even in these verses similar to what Paul used in Ephesians. We are not to be drunk with wine, but filled with the Spirit. God calls John to never be influenced by strong drink because He is going to be filled with the Holy Ghost. Marshall notes, In John s case the gift of God was present with him from his mother s womb. The language
expresses divine choice and care of a person from his very birth, but here in connection with 1:41-44 a prenatal sanctification of John is implied; even before he was born, the hand of God was on him to prepare him for his work. C. God s Forerunner had a Purpose - an Assignment Called John was picked on purpose for a purpose. God never picks arbitrarily or without a purpose. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God before ordained that we should walk in. The word workmanship means product or fabric. God did not choose John (or you) without purpose. God wove the fabric of John s life to reflect the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. VV 16-17 says that John was to do this by calling men to repentance. John would have a similar ministry to that of Elijah. Johns call was to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and as Malachi 4 says the hearts of children to their fathers. The angel explains Johns message will cause those who are disobedient to turn to the wisdom of the just. Men, women, boys, and girls will experience a change of heart so that they would be the people that were ready for Christ when he came.
Prepared as a ship provisioned for a voyage God s word spoken through the angelic announcement tells about John as His forerunner. God used His message to prepare the hearts of a people so that they would receive the Lamb of God when He came. The second area this announcement speaks about is II. God s Faithfulness It is clear from the text that God spoke, but why would God speak? Why wouldn t God just allow those who were unprepared for Christ s coming to go on unprepared and consume them in His wrath? Why would He speak? A. God was Faithful to His Promise There are several instances in this passage that call to mind Abraham and Sarah. Both couples were older when God supernaturally gave them a child. Both were given the names of their child by God. Both children (Isaac and John) play a crucial role in God s redemptive plan. In VV 68-75 Zacharias praises the Lord for visiting and redeeming his people at John s birth and he says that he has remembered
his holy covenant; the oath which he sware to our father Abraham, that he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear; In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. God had made a promise to Abraham that his seed would called in Isaac which is fulfilled in Christ just as Zacharias acknowledges. That is exactly why God spoke. He promised that He would send a redeemer. That redeemer is Christ. When God speaks it is always because He is faithful to the Covenant He made with Christ! B. God was Faithful to His People V.10 shows us a picture of worship and devotion. Gathered around the temple that day was a multitude of people that were praying. It is likely that this was the evening sacrifice, and these faithful Jews were gathered together praying for the Nation of Israel. A later tradition says that the people prayed during the offering: May the merciful God enter the Holy Place and accept with favor the offering of his people. It is in the midst of His peoples worship and prayer that God speaks! The Angel says V.13 thy prayer is heard. What prayer? Zacharias and Elisabeth s prayer for a son?
Possibly. The nations prayer for the Messiah? Possibly. Regardless of which prayer is specifically referred to God sends the answer to both request in one word! Why? V.17&68 to prepare and redeem His people! Paul asks the question in Romans 11:1 Hath God cast away his people? God forbid! V.2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? How he maketh intercession to God against Israel? Wrapped up in God being faithful to His people is the necessity of an intercessor. Just as Elijah, John will stand before God on behalf of His people and pray for them. Yet, a greater than Elijah, and a greater than John is coming. He will be our great High Priest and will perfectly represent us to God, and because of that God will be faithful to us! C. God was Faithful to His Plan Why would God speak? It was His will for Him to speak. Men would like to think that it was their prayers that caused God to speak and certainly He heard and answered their prayers, but as Van Doren said God creates a longing for an intended blessing. Here the goodness God is seen in Him moving the heart of His people to pray for deliverance and then sending the deliverer! God is always faithful to His
plan. Paul says in Ephesians 1:11 that God works all things after the counsel of His own will. Rest assured that what God has purposed He will also perform. The third area this announcement speaks about is III. God s Favor A. God s Favor is seen in the Angel s Presence The text tells us that it is Zacharias time to perform his priestly duties. V.9 says that it was his lot to make the incense offering. Because this was considered such a high and sacred honor, only those who had never offered the Incense offering were eligible. They cast lots and they believed this was the way that God would choose who He wanted. The lot fell on Zacharias and this was the greatest privilege of his life. The incense offering was a symbol of prayer and the fragrances of the incense were a sign of God s delightful presence meeting His people. The fact that God sent this word is an act of free grace and shows His loving favor. B. God s Favor is seen in the Angel s Position It is interesting that Luke notes the Angel being on the right side of the alter. Joel Green says, The right side is the
place of honor and may suggest here the status of the angel as well as hinting that the message to be spoken will be propitious/favorable. C. God s Favor is seen in the Angel s Proclamation The Angel announces that Zacharias prayer was heard, that his wife Elisabeth was going to have a son, and that son would be used by God to pave the way for the Messiah to come. Just as Noah found favor, so Zacharias finds favor in the eyes of the Lord and God blesses him abundantly. The glory is that Zacharias blessing was connected to the coming of Christ, and in Christ we are equally blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places! D. God s Favor is found in Elisabeth s Praise After discovering that she is with child, Marshall notes that the wording used here means that Elisabeth thought to herself what is recording in v.25. The Lord dealt with her in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. Elisabeth is amazed that God has looked on her with favor and rolled away the reproach that was laid on her shoulders by removing her baroness. That s favor. God didn t owe it to Elisabeth to take away her reproach, but He did. The same is true with us. God didn t owe us anything. Unlike
Elisabeth our reproach was warranted, but yet in Christ our reproach has been lifted and we are accepted in the sight of the Lord! Conclusion Now that we have looked at this word from God may we thank the Lord for what He has done for us. Thank Him for turning our hearts from disobedience to righteousness. Thank Him for His covenant faithfulness to us. Thank Him for His undeserved favor. Thank Him for sending a redeemer to save us from our sins.