Purpose: That this passage will increase your affections for Jesus in response to the demonstration of God’s character in the life of Zachariah and Elizabeth. 

Zechariah’s Shame

• Alone
  • Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, were old and she was unable to have children (1:5). This left her feeling disgraced among the people because the inability to have children was seen as a curse from God (1:25).
• Exposed
  • Zechariah was a priest so Elizabeth’s barrenness would be known to nation because of her husband’s public role.
• Forgotten
  • Zechariah’s name means “Remembered by YHWH, yet their prayers went unanswered for years.

God’s Salvation

• Visited (1:68)
  • God draws near
  • God saves
• Protected (1:69-71)
  • God enters with power
  • God enters to protect
• Remembered (1:72-75)
  • God sees & remembers
  • God is faithful to his word
• Tender Mercy of God (1:76-79)

Conclusion

• Personal meditation, appreciation, and application of God’s character as described above.
• In light of God’s mercy and faithfulness, we remind ourselves of two great promises:
  • Romans 10:13 “For every who calls on the name of the Lord [Jesus] will be saved.”
  • John 14:1-4 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”