The Promised King: Hope Fulfilled

(Based on Luke 1:5-80)

Hoping and Praying

For over 400 years, the Jewish people waited in silence. The last prophet, Malachi, had warned them to prepare for God’s visitation, but centuries passed, and they were left under foreign rule. First came the Greeks, and then the Romans, who conquered Jerusalem and stationed their soldiers throughout the land.

The Jewish people yearned for a leader. Some dreamed of a warrior king who would drive the Romans out and restore Israel’s glory. Others longed for a righteous and just ruler who would bring them closer to God. Among the faithful few were Zechariah, a priest, and his wife, Elizabeth.

Though they were both devout and prayed earnestly for the coming King, they carried a personal sorrow: they had no children. Now in their old age, they had long accepted that they would remain childless. Yet, their faith endured, and they continued to pray for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

The Angel Appears to Zechariah

Zechariah’s turn to serve at the temple came during one of his biannual rotations. Among the priests, the highest honor was to burn incense before the altar in the Holy Place, a privilege granted by casting lots. For many priests, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity never came, but on this day, Zechariah was chosen (Luke 1:8-9).

As he stood in the sacred space, surrounded by the aroma of incense, Zechariah prayed fervently for Israel’s deliverance. Suddenly, a bright light filled the room, and he froze in fear. An angel of the Lord stood beside the altar.

“Do not be afraid, Zechariah,” the angel said. “Your prayers have been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. He will bring joy and gladness to many. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth and will go before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, turning the hearts of the people back to God” (Luke 1:13-17).

Overwhelmed, Zechariah struggled to comprehend the angel’s words. “How can I be sure of this?” he asked. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years” (Luke 1:18).

“I am Gabriel,” the angel replied, “and I stand in the presence of God. Because you did not believe my words, you will be silent until the day this comes to pass” (Luke 1:19-20).

Meanwhile, outside the temple, the people grew restless. Why was Zechariah taking so long? When he finally emerged, he could not speak but gestured to them in silence. The crowd realized he must have seen a vision (Luke 1:21-22).

Elizabeth’s Joy

When Zechariah returned home, he wrote down the angel’s message for Elizabeth. Though he could not speak, her heart overflowed with joy. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “He has shown me favor and removed my disgrace” (Luke 1:25).

Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth

Not long after, Mary, a young relative of Elizabeth, received her own miraculous message. The angel Gabriel appeared to her in Nazareth, saying, “Do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. His kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:30-33).

When Mary asked how this could be, as she was not yet married, Gabriel explained, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Your child will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age, for nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:35-37).

Mary replied humbly, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38).

Filled with awe, Mary traveled to the hill country to visit Elizabeth. When Elizabeth saw her, she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:42-43).

Mary’s heart swelled with joy, and she praised God, singing, “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior… He has lifted up the humble and filled the hungry with good things” (Luke 1:46-53).

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months before returning home to Nazareth.

The Birth of John

When Elizabeth gave birth to a son, their neighbors and relatives rejoiced. On the eighth day, they gathered for the baby’s circumcision and naming ceremony.

“Surely he will be named Zechariah after his father,” they said.

“No,” Elizabeth replied. “His name will be John.”

“But there is no one among your relatives with that name,” they protested and turned to Zechariah for confirmation.

Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John” (Luke 1:63).

At that moment, his speech returned, and he began praising God. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah prophesied, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come to His people and redeemed them. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him” (Luke 1:68-79).

The news of these events spread throughout the region, and people wondered, “What then is this child going to be?”

John grew up strong in spirit, living in the wilderness until the time came for him to fulfill his role as the forerunner of the Promised King.

God’s Promise Fulfilled

The long years of silence were ending. Through Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary, God was bringing His promises to life. The Promised King was near, and soon the world would witness His light shining in the darkness.

“For the Lord has remembered His mercy and faithfulness to Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (Psalm 98:3).