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Your Prayer Has Been Heard

Luke 1:1-25

Key verse 13

But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John”

Introduction)

Luke, a companion of apostle Paul, is consider to be the author in writing this book although his name is shown directly in the book. Luke’s gospel is known as the most comprehensive gospel among four synoptic gospels. He documents the thorough story of Jesus’ all the way from John the baptist to Jesus’ ascension. Luke is the most universal gospel. It’s also written for the Greek with the explanation of Jewish events. It elaborates humanity(compassionate heart and mercy) of our Lord Jesus Christ who helped women, children, and social outcasts. So it is perfectly matched with the deeply seated desire of the Greek looking for a perfect man such as Greek mythology. Jesus is our perfect man and a fully God. The Key Verse of Luke’ gospel would be chapter 9:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke’s gospel also uniquely emphasizing on preaching the gospel continually with the second volume, Acts. May the Lord help us to be filled with the Holy Spirit like him and prayerfully serve one on one ministry with world mission mind of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

1. Read verses 1-4. What does the author Luke want to write about and who had handed down the account of which he writes? (1, 2) Who is Luke writing these things for? (3) What is the purpose of Luke’s account? (4)

1-1, Read verses 1-4.

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

1-2, What does the author Luke want to write about and who had handed down the account of which he writes? (1, 2)

Luke is known as a Greek, a physician, and a historian. Also Luke was a companion of Paul

Acts 16:10-11 read,

10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis.

2 Timothy 4:11 reads,

11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

Philemon 1:24 reads,

24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

Colossians 4 :14 reads,

My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas.(You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.

Luke was not a Jew. He is a Gentile who participated in writing a part of New Testament.

What a great privilege for him to write the words of God!

The first four verses are originally written in one sentence in Greek.

They were written in refined, academic, or classical style. But then, for the rest of the gospel, Luke does not use such language of scholars but the common language so that people would understand Jesus.

Luke 24:44-47 read,

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

*Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us (Verse 1)

First of all Luke mentions that many have already undertaken to draw up an account of the things - It may refer the book of Mark or Matthew.

An account of the things that have been fulfilled among us - It is written based on facts and fulfillments rather than fictions.

* just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. (Verse 2)

Two resources about his writings were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.

They may include apostles who were with Jesus, Mary(Jesus’ mother), other devoted women(Mary M.), 72 disciples (Luke 10:1) and so on.

Luke might have interviewed with those people.

1-3, Who is Luke writing these things for? (3)

3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning - it may be possible for him to be one of 72 disciples who were appointed by Jesus Christ.

I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus.

Theophilus might be a prominent Roman government official. It might be designed to defend his companion, apostle Paul for his trial before Caesar.

Theophilus - ‘One who loves God’

In broad meaning, Theophilus is anyone who loves to hear the gospel message with spiritual desire.

Such a dedication to the publisher was come at that time just as one dedicated the book to beloved wife or close friend.

1-4, What is the purpose of Luke’s account? (4)

4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Although they had chance to hear about Jesus Christ, Luke wants to help them have personal knowledge about him.

2. Read verses 5-17. Describe the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth. (5-7) What was Zechariah chosen to do? (8-10) Who appears and what effect does this have on Zechariah? (11,12) What is the angel’s message?(13-17) What do you think of God’s plans for Zechariah’s son?

2-1, Read verses 5-17.

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

2-2, Describe the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth. (5-7)

Luke came up with the time of Herod king of Judea.

This is the man known as Herod the Great, who was a descendant of Esau and Edomite or an Idumean. (he rules as a tetrarch from BC37 to AD4)

He was notorious for his paranoid cruelty as well as his building programs.

Luke focused on a couple.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous and obedient. They belonged to the priestly family.

They suffered from ‘no child problem.’

2-3, What was Zechariah chosen to do? (8-10)

According to the custom of the priesthood - Luke explains Jewish tradition for the Greek.

Only Priests from a particular lineage could serve in the temple.

Due to many priests, they had to use the lot to determine which priest would serve when. It might be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

**Exodus 30:7-8 read,

“Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. 8 He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come. 9 Do not offer on this altar any other incense or any burnt offering or grain offering, and do not pour a drink offering on it. 10 Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the Lord.”

It must be the most privileged duty to burn incense once a year.

Zechariah was chosen by lot for this job as a priest.

**According to Leviticus 16(about what the day of atonement means),

The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the Lord. 2 The Lord said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die. For I will appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.

3 “This is how Aaron is to enter the Most Holy Place:He must first bring a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. 4 He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments;so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on. 5 From the Israelite community he is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.

6 “Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household.7 Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 8 He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the Lord and the other for the scapegoat. 9 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the Lord and sacrifice it for a sin offering. 10 But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat.

11 “Aaron shall bring the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household,and he is to slaughter the bull for his own sin offering. 12 He is to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the Lord and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense and take them behind the curtain. 13 He is to put the incense on the fire before the Lord, and the smoke of the incense will conceal the atonement cover above the tablets of the covenant law, so that he will not die. 14 He is to take some of the bull’s blood and with his finger sprinkle it on the front of the atonement cover; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the atonement cover.

15 “He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the bull’s blood: He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it. 16 In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the tent of meeting,which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness. 17 No one is to be in the tent of meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he comes out, having made atonement for himself, his household and the whole community of Israel.

18 “Then he shall come out to the altar that is before the Lord and make atonement for it. He shall take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood and put it on all the horns of the altar. 19 He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and to consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites.

20 “When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. 21 He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. 22 The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.

23 “Then Aaron is to go into the tent of meeting and take off the linen garments he put on before he entered the Most Holy Place, and he is to leave them there. 24 He shall bathe himself with water in the sanctuary area and put on his regular garments.Then he shall come out and sacrifice the burnt offering for himself and the burnt offering for the people, to make atonement for himself and for the people. 25 He shall also burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar.

26 “The man who releases the goat as a scapegoat must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water;afterward he may come into the camp. 27 The bull and the goat for the sin offerings, whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place to make atonement, must be taken outside the camp; their hides, flesh and intestines are to be burned up.28 The man who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may come into the camp.

29 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you— 30 because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. 31 It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance.32 The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments 33 and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, for the tent of meeting and the altar, and for the priests and all the members of the community.

34 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.” And it was done, as the Lord commanded Moses.

**Burn incense - prayers (Revelation 5:8)

And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

What did Zacharias pray for?

He must have thought about it carefully beforehand based on Leviticus 16. He must have read it again and again until he even memorized it. He also knew what lists he had to pray. He must have prayed for the needs of the nation of Israel. He must have prayed for God to send the Messiah. He probably would have guilty in praying for his personal need like getting a son at such a holy moment!

2-4, Who appears and what effect does this have on Zechariah? (11,12)

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.

According to how Zechariah responded, it must be an unexpected thing for him.

He might have asked other fellow priests who had been there done this job before.

But it was the least and last thing that he could imagine and now he was startled and was even gripped with fear.

2-5, What is the angel’s message?(13-17)

13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

It is not likely that Zechariah prayed for a son when he was at the golden altar of incense.

Both he and his wife were very old and they might have given up on this prayer a long time ago after they prayed for a while.

It is quite interesting that God knows our agony and deepest need in person.

Although he prayed for the Israelites as a representative, God came up with the good news by sending his angel.

2-6, What do you think of God’s plans for Zechariah’s son?

“for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

**Numbers 6: (it reminds of Nazirite, John would be specially consecrated or dedicated even from the birth by God’s will in accordance with the prayer of his parents’ desires/prayers)

The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the Lord as a Nazirite, 3 they must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or other fermented drink. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. 4 As long as they remain under their Nazirite vow, they must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins.

5 “‘During the entire period of their Nazirite vow, no razor may be used on their head. They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the Lord is over; they must let their hair grow long.

6 “‘Throughout the period of their dedication to the Lord, the Nazirite must not go near a dead body.7 Even if their own father or mother or brother or sister dies, they must not make themselves ceremonially unclean on account of them, because the symbol of their dedication to God is on their head. 8 Throughout the period of their dedication, they are consecrated to the Lord.

9 “‘If someone dies suddenly in the Nazirite’s presence, thus defiling the hair that symbolizes their dedication, they must shave their head on the seventh day—the day of their cleansing. 10 Then on the eighth day they must bring two doves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 11 The priest is to offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for the Nazirite because they sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. That same day they are to consecrate their head again. 12 They must rededicate themselves to the Lord for the same period of dedication and must bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering. The previous days do not count, because they became defiled during their period of dedication.

13 “‘Now this is the law of the Nazirite when the period of their dedication is over. They are to be brought to the entrance to the tent of meeting.14 There they are to present their offerings to the Lord: a year-old male lamb without defect for a burnt offering, a year-old ewe lamb without defect for a sin offering, a ram without defect for a fellowship offering, 15 together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and a basket of bread made with the finest flour and without yeast—thick loaves with olive oil mixed in, and thin loaves brushed with olive oil.

16 “‘The priest is to present all these before the Lord and make the sin offering and the burnt offering.17 He is to present the basket of unleavened bread and is to sacrifice the ram as a fellowship offering to the Lord, together with its grain offering and drink offering.

18 “‘Then at the entrance to the tent of meeting, the Nazirite must shave off the hair that symbolizes their dedication. They are to take the hair and put it in the fire that is under the sacrifice of the fellowship offering.

19 “‘After the Nazirite has shaved off the hair that symbolizes their dedication, the priest is to place in their hands a boiled shoulder of the ram, and one thick loaf and one thin loaf from the basket, both made without yeast. 20 The priest shall then wave these before the Lord as a wave offering; they are holy and belong to the priest, together with the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.

21 “‘This is the law of the Nazirite who vows offerings to the Lord in accordance with their dedication, in addition to whatever else they can afford. They must fulfill the vows they have made, according to the law of the Nazirite.’”

The Priestly Blessing

22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ 27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

His ministry would be to turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

He would prepare the way of the Messiah by turning hearts to God before the Messiah came.

His ministry was compared to that of Elijah and his spirit. (1 Kings 18:20-40)

1 Kings 18:20-21,

“So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

Malachi 4: 5-6,

5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children,and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

Matthew 11:13-15

For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.

Matthew 17: 9-13,

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

In short, we do believe that God answers his prayer in the best way.

God’s work is to be done in and through a devoted person who is filled the Holy Spirit and turn the hearts of people to King of the kings, Jesus Christ.

God never ignored a couple’s obedient and righteous lives before God and sends a great person of mission to prepare people’s hearts and God’s work continues in and through him.

Praise the Lord who answers our prayer without fail according to his unfailing kindness throughout the generations.

That is why we continue to serve him and his will in our generation by faith.

3. Read verses 18-20. What does Zechariah say to the angel? (18) What happens after Zechariah doubts the angel’s message? (19-20)

3-1, Read verses 18-20.

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

3-2, What does Zechariah say to the angel? (18)

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

Zechariah should have faith. But he looked at the situation or his human condition first.

He concluded that it is nonsense. It is like the response of Sarah who laughed at what the Lord or angel had said.

3-3, What happens after Zechariah doubts the angel’s message? (19-20)

I am Gebriel. “Gabriel” means “God is my strength.”

In the Bible Gabriel serves as a messenger of God for certain people. (Daniel 8, 9)

When the angel says, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news,” he solemnly speaks who he is before living God and how important his message is.

Why is this good news?

It is not only good news for Zechariah personally but also the good news for all mankinds due to the fact that his son would have a significant role in God’s plan of redemption.

And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

God’s will would be fulfilled according to his determined will.

Zechariah had to be silent for a while because of his unbelief about God’s words.

He should pay the price about his unbelieving remarks.

4. Read verses 21-25. What was happening outside the temple? (21) What do the people realize when Zechariah is unable to speak to them? (22) What happens to Elizabeth after Zechariah returns home? (23-24) What praise does Elizabeth give to the Lord? (25) What do you think we can learn from the Lord and His faithfulness to answer the prayers of Zechariah and Elizabeth?

4-1, Read verses 21-25.

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

4-2, What was happening outside the temple? (21)

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.

People might have thought that he was struck dead by God because of delay inside.

4-3, What do the people realize when Zechariah is unable to speak to them? (22)

22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

Usually when the priest came out of the holy place, he should bless the people with Numbers 6:24-26.

“‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ 27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

So they were wondering what had happened inside.

4-4, What happens to Elizabeth after Zechariah returns home? (23-24)

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.

She must have secured personal prayer time and Bible reading for first and second trimesters.

4-5, What praise does Elizabeth give to the Lord? (25)

25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

She could have enjoyed her pregnancy so much that she could forget the Lord who had blessed her. But she never forgot it and confessed to anyone by saying,

“The Lord has done this for me. In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

4-6, What do you think we can learn from the Lord and His faithfulness to answer the prayers of Zechariah and Elizabeth?

God never fails to shows his kindness throughout the generations.

Praise the Lord who is faithful in all situations in fulfilling his will.

In Conclusion)

God answers an old couple’s prayer at His time. However Zechariah looked at the situation and uttered unbelieving words. May the Lord have mercy on each of us to say differently. May the Lord help us to not forget how God is working in and through our young children and Bible students for they will be servants of God impacting the history greatly. Amen.

One word: Your prayer has been heard!