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Luke 1:5-7
There are several people mentioned in this passage and we will try to learn a little about each one.
- Herod, the king of Judea – The reigning king at the time of the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus. Herod sent the wise men to find the baby Jesus and then report to him so he could go and worship Him, however, this was a deceitful way of finding the baby Jesus so he could kill Him because he was afraid of losing his place as king of Judea (Matthew 2).
- Zacharias – The father of John the Baptist and a priest from the division of Abijah (Luke 1:5) who was the son of Samuel and a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses, who was presented to the LORD by Moses with his sons to be priests, anointed by the LORD, “by a statute forever throughout their generations” (Leviticus 7:35-36, NKJV).
- Elizabeth – The mother of John the Baptist and wife of Zacharias, also a descendant of Aaron (Luke 1:5). Elizabeth was a relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:36).
Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth, “were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (Luke 1:6). Zacharias and Elizabeth were both very old and initially were unable to produce children because Elizabeth was barren (Luke 1:7). However, God would soon grant them a child – John the Baptist.
This is an example of a man and his wife living according to God’s will for them even though they are still yet experiencing misfortune (they were unable to have children).
As Zacharias and Elizabeth continued to follow the LORD and seek His will for their lives, even during adverse times, we too should keep our focus on seeking the LORD’S will for our lives in good times and during trying times that will arise in our lives from time to time. Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” God is in ultimate control, and when we go through trying times our faith and trust in God is growing stronger and stronger, and our relationship with Him is developing deeper when we keep our focus on Him.
Dear Lord,
As we seek Your will for our lives we are not promised a life free of trials, but You have promised to be with us and to see us through the good times and the bad times if we will keep our focus on You. Help us to be aware that You are always in ultimate control and that we are growing in our relationship with You when we trust in You…always. In Jesus name I pray, amen.