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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Not Forgotten in the Bigger Story
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious One, The heart of our Father was beautifully revealed through the prophet Isaiah:For this is what the high and exalted One says —..."
It's Always Special When Angels Show Up
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of the King, When you open your Bible and you see the appearance of angels, know that the Father is up to something special in your world...."
KEEPING THE CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS
Article by Steve Ridgell
The Christmas season is here... Christians celebrate Christmas 365 days a year, not just on December 25.
How Do You Grasp this Mystery?
Article by Phil Ware
Jesus longs to be born again into our world in me? Jesus wasn't just born into our world in the womb of Mary, but he longs to be born into our world again in each individual Christian the Holy Spirit gives birth to in the world.

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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, January 5, 2023

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'The Light Now Shines!'
"Dear Believer, Somewhere along the way, My light shown into your heart and changed you. More than just the light from the bright star that guided the..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Knows, but Still Wants You to Pray'
"When you pray, go to your room and close the door. Pray privately to your Father who is with you. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Relationships' (Co. 3:18-4:1)
"Dear Father, May Christian wives and husbands relate to each other as is fitting in the Lord, with subjection and kindness. May children obey their....."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Jeremiah 17:7
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him."

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.

More What Jesus Did!