Here’s another lesson from Zechariah and Elizabeth – a faith lesson:

During the reign of King Herod the Great over Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah who served in the temple as part of the priestly order of Abijah. His wife, Elizabeth, was also from a family of priests, being a direct descendant of Aaron. They were both lovers of God, living virtuously and following the commandments of the Lord fully. But they were childless since Elizabeth was barren, and now they both were quite old. (Luke 1.5 – 7, Passion Translation)

Zechariah and Elizabeth chose to be faithful amid a sandwich of difficulty: King Herod the Great was their governor. An extremely evil man, as Matthew’s account of his killing all the baby boys 2 years old and under shows. Also, Zechariah and Elizabeth were childless. In a culture that believed obedience produced blessing, and blessing equals children, continued virtuous living must have been difficult.

Dr. Esau McCaulley, assistant professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, and director of Next Generation Leadership for the Anglican Church in North America, wrote about Zechariah and Elizabeth in his book Reading while Black. He compares them to elderly black believers today and to the first generation of black believers during slavery:

Zechariah and Elizabeth are, in a sense, Israel writ small. Elizabeth and Zechariah’s generation could say alongside Jeremiah’s, “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved” (Jer 8:20). It is important that Luke begins here because it situates the Jesus story in the middle of the pain of Israel, which includes the large-scale tragedy of exile and disinheritance along with the personal traumas each individual Israelite must face. In other words, Luke begins with the issue of injustice as a central concern.

Elizabeth and Zechariah are crucial for understanding Black hope. As the faithful elderly who persevered in the faith despite long-delayed hope, they are our Black grandparents who dragged us to church and prayed for us when we lacked the faith to pray for ourselves.

But more urgently, Zechariah and Elizabeth are the first generation of Black Christians who came to faith during slavery. Why put your faith in the God worshiped by slave owners? What good could come of it? How could its message be of use to you? The question posed by Frederick Douglass could also be found in the lament psalms of Israel: “Does a righteous God govern the universe? And for what does he hold the thunders in his right hand if not to smite the oppressor, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the spoiler?” Why would such a people who have every reason for cynicism put their faith in a God whose promises seem long delayed? – Esau McCauley, Reading While Black, page 82.

Jesus came into an imperfect world. A world of oppression. We wait in hope. We wait in faith. COVID has gone on way longer than any of us expected. And racial injustice has gone on longer than anyone expected, too, despite many improvements. And yet one day, we will be on the other side of COVID as I wrote earlier, and, hopefully, on the other side of injustice, too.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9.6, 7, ESV)

We’re already beginning week 2 of Advent 2020.

Faith leads to action. The shepherds heard the angels’ report and journeyed “with haste” to Bethlehem. (Luke 2.15, 16) King Herod heard the wise men’s report and responded in anger to kill all the baby boys he could find. (Matthew 2.16) I’ve never contrasted or even heard someone else contrast Luke 2.16 with Matthew 2.16, but both are responses of faith. I think we can say that the shepherds’ faith was mixed with hope – anticipation of the Messiah’s coming. Herod’s faith was mixed with dread – fear of a rival king.

We’ll look more at faith this week.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13.13, NKJV)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11.1…6, NKJV)

There’s so much in the short story about Zechariah and Elizabeth. Yesterday, we looked at the Benedictus: delivered from…to. Today we’re back to Zechariah’s encounter with the angel, who says something very intriguing:

But the angel reassured him, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God is showing grace to you. For I have come to tell you that your prayer for a child has been answered. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son and you are to name him John. (Luke 1.13, Passion Translation)

“Your prayer for a child has been answered.” Judging from Zechariah’s response, it’s likely he wasn’t even praying that prayer currently. In fact, the Passion Translation note says as much:

The Greek verb allows for a possible translation of “prayer you don’t even pray anymore.” -Passion Translation note on verse 13.

The lesson remains: always pray and never give up. We don’t know how long it will take for a prayer to be answered. We pray for the big things: “Manifest your kingdom on earth,” give us relief from COVID, end racial injustice,… and for smaller, more personal things: family issues, jobs, illnesses, personal ministry. Always pray, never give up.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (Luke 18.1, NIV)

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5.17, ESV)

As we move into this Advent season overshadowed by COVID, we are not unlike those in Jesus’ day, waiting for deliverance. Physically and emotionally, we would say we want deliverance from COVID. The people in Jesus’ day were awaiting deliverance from Rome. But Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, reminds us what we are delivered to:

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. (Luke 1.68 – 75, ESV, emphasis mine)

They waited for deliverance: “that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.” But the purpose of deliverance is clear: “That we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.”

We all want deliverance. This season we especially need deliverance: COVID, racial injustice, violence stimulated by racial injustice. But what do we do with this deliverance? Go back to life as normal?

Look at how Paul invites us to pray for our leaders:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2.1 – 4, ESV)

We serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness (Zechariah) … living peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way (Paul) … SO THAT all people will be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Deliverance -> serving God in holiness and righteousness -> godly and dignified in every way -> more people coming into a relationship with God.

This is why Jesus came.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2.11 – 14, NIV)

Here’s another semi-interruption to our Advent meditations, courtesy Vince D’Acchioli, head of On Target Ministries, based in Colorado Springs. After the passing of my friend Paul Stanley, that I wrote about Monday, I received an email from Vince, paying tribute to Paul. It’s too good not to share, especially when we remember that Jesus came not as a conqueror, but as a servant. 

For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. (Luke 22.27, ESV)

Paul taught leadership around the world, using a formula he had distilled from his study of Jesus: lead, develop care. His adult son asked him, “How are we going to teach leadership in China?” Paul’s answer, “We’re going to teach them to lead like Jesus – lead, develop, care.” Paul taught Jesus’ lifestyle of servant leadership. 

Back to Vince. In 2010, Vince organized a major men’s ministry leadership conference for the National Coalition of Ministry to Men. Vince said that over 100 of the most noted men’s ministry and denominational leaders from around the world were there. Vince had asked Paul Stanley to speak at the opening session. Vince himself was late to the meeting, but he arrived in time to introduce Paul. Here’s his story:

So, after some opening remarks and welcoming, I had the privilege of introducing my friend Paul Stanley.  I assumed not many of those in attendance knew Paul.  However, as Paul walked up after my intro I noticed some strange murmuring and body language from many who were in the audience.  It was a reaction I was not able to understand until later. 

You see, unknown to me, when most of these leaders entered the Great Hall that morning they had already met Paul.  Paul greeted everyone who entered as he set up virtually all the chairs in that ballroom.  He never mentioned who he was other than to give his name.  He simply kept on setting up chairs and engaging these men in meaningful conversation as he did.  Most of these leaders thought Paul was part of the facility setup team or on the janitorial staff.  

When they observed this precious man moving toward the podium to deliver the opening message they were blown away. It was not until after Paul finished and many of these leaders approached me that I discovered what really happened.  These men were not impacted by the powerful message that Paul brought, though it truly was.  They were impressed by Paul.  You see, on that morning Paul Stanley was a man who needed no introduction.  He was already known.  Not by accolades or his resume, but rather, who he is.  Paul’s talk that morning was on leadership.  His audience experienced the essence of his message long before he uttered his first words from that podium.  – Vince D’Acchioli, emphasis his

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Mark 10.45, NKJV)

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant… (Philippians 2.5 – 7, NKJV)

Advent is a time of waiting, and this year, we really are waiting…for relief from COVID, for social justice AND an end to the riots, for … you fill in the blank. Jesus came into such a world, not as a conqueror as some had hoped, but as a baby.

Others are picking up on this theme also. Frazer Church in Montgomery, Alabama, is beginning a 20-week series on the Kingdom, beginning with Advent, continuing through Easter. I encourage you watch their 1:30-minute trailer on the series:

Here are some snippets:

• Broken, helpless, the world Jesus entered was in need of renewal. Is it all that different from today?
• Putting faith in the dollar, the scholar, or the sword? Where, oh where, are you, Lord? Can you redeem all this? That’s what the people were asking before Jesus came.
• The solution is a Kingdom…Thy Kingdom come for YOU are the promised one.
  

Manifest your Kingdom on earth. (Luke 11.2, Passion Translation)

Here’s a powerful opening to our Advent week of hope:

One day Jesus taught the apostles to keep praying and never stop or lose hope. …Don’t you know that God, the true judge, will grant justice to all of his chosen ones who cry out to him night and day? He will pour out his Spirit upon them. He will not delay to answer you and give you what you ask for. God will give swift justice to those who don’t give up. So be ever praying, ever expecting, just like the widow was with the judge. (Luke 18.1, 6 – 8, Passion Translation)

As I write this, we have a close friend fighting COVID for her life. Our challenge is to keep praying and never stop or lose hope. Simeon didn’t lose hope.

In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. (Luke 2.25, MSG)

Zechariah did lose hope, but God worked through him anyway.

Zachariah said to the angel, “Do you expect me to believe [that my wife and I will have a son]? I’m an old man and my wife is an old woman.” (Luke 1.18, MSG)

One of Jesus’ ancestors was a man of hope, also, finally.

[Abraham] didn’t tiptoe around God’s promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. (Romans 4.20, 21, MSG)

P.S. When I drafted this about a week ago, there was a strong possibility that our friend with COVID would not survive. I’m ecstatic to report that she turned the corner and will be discharged soon. Keep praying and never stop or lose hope!

We interrupt our advent meditations before we even get started with a reminder of one of the things we’re waiting for: an end to death:

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (Revelation 21.4, NIV)

That is, until the old order passes away, there WILL be death, mourning, crying, and pain.

My friend and Navigator mentor Paul Stanley passed away Thanksgiving morning, just three days short of his 79th birthday. Actually, Paul has been gone for several years, having suffered from dementia. I wrote about Paul and his wife, Phyllis, back in September 2019.

Given the dementia, it’s a blessing he didn’t hang on longer. Phyllis wrote, “We are rejoicing that my precious husband is now with Jesus.” But still, we would have rather seen him healthy, making disciples, and developing leaders as he did for a very long time, in the Army, as a Navigator missionary in Germany, as International Vice President of The Navigators, as the founder of the Leader Development Network, and as Interim President of another organization, Greater Europe Mission.

So we wait…that’s what advent is about.

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3.8, NKJV)

For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15.25, 26, NKJV)

But we take comfort during this first week of Advent, the week of Hope:

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4.13, NIV)

I’m committing (by faith!) to blog advent meditations from now until Christmas. I’m excited to see where this goes.

I strongly believe that this Advent season has the potential to be very significant. Why? Because we’re actually waiting for something. This is America. We don’t wait for anything. If we need or want it, we buy it. Long gone are the days of “Please allow 4 weeks for delivery.” Stuff we order comes in a day or two.

HOWEVER, this year we wait…for relief from COVID. We’re chafing against lockdowns and isolation. The neighborhood Jesus moved into was waiting, too. Jews were in permanent lockdown under brutal Roman rule.

So for the first time I can remember, ALL of us are waiting…in hope. It’s a good way to start the Advent season. Journey with me.

Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8.24, 25, ESV)

Yesterday’s thanksgiving sentiment that this is the year to appreciate what you have reminded me of something I heard on Prairie Home Companion over 35 years ago. Garrison Keillor was in the middle of the long weekly story about what was going on in his hometown, Lake Woebegone. A mother was in conversation with her adult, newly married son, who was having marital adjustment issues. He asked his mother how she and his dad made it all these years, and his mother replied, “Even when it was hard, we knew it was what we wanted.” The son replied, “Well, some people are lucky; they know what they want.” Later, the mother reflected on the exchange and concluded what she said wasn’t quite right. Then Garrison reported what she meant to say:

Some people are lucky, not to get what they want, but to get what they have. Which, after they’ve had it, they might be lucky enough to realize it’s what they would have wanted had they known about it!” -Garrison Keillor

Meditate on that! It’s profound – I’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of that quote over the years.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8.28, NKJV)