What Jesus Did! 'Obedience' — Luke 1:11-13

Thursday, January 5, 2023

While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But 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."
— Luke 1:11-13 NLT

Key Thought

God swept up Zechariah in the fulfillment of divine promises - fulfillment that occurred with the coming of the Messiah. God had chosen Zechariah, along with his wife Elizabeth, to play crucial roles in his great story of grace. Zechariah experienced the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as a priest to burn incense [1] at the great Temple in Jerusalem. While performing his duties, a heavenly messenger visited him and revealed that he and Elizabeth would have a son. Despite being well past the age to have children, [2] God was answering their prayer. The messenger told Zechariah to name their son, John. He obeyed, [3] and God used Zechariah's "simple" obedience to bless the world.

[1] Luke 1:8-9.
[2] Luke 1:7.
[3] Luke 1:59-64.

Today's Prayer

Father, please accept my obedience, including in the little, clear, and simple things, as an offering of my love to you. Take that obedience and bring glory to your name and a blessing to your people whether others know of my part in your plan or not. In Jesus' name, and to his glory, I offer you this prayer and my life. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Hebrews 1:14
  • 1 John 4:17-18
  • Hebrews 6:9-12

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 1:11-13 NLT — "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."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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