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

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Your Support is Needed

Donations are vital to help us keep the light shining!

 Donate Now
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

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Producing Great Praise to God' (2 Co. 9:10-11)
"This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Overflow of Hope' (Ro. 15:13)
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Proverbs 24:33, 34
"The worst of sluggards only ask for a little slumber; they would be indignant if they were accused of thorough idleness. A little folding of the hands..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
James 1:23-25
"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and..."

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!