To the priest, Zechariah: A once-in-a-lifetime honor with an Angel visitation (Luke 1:5-25)
Because there were so many priests in Israel, each served only one week each year. Even then there were still so many that the special tasks were assigned by lot. Once chosen by lot, the priest couldn’t be chosen again until all the others had a turn. There would not be many more opportunities for an old man.
But on this day, the lot fell to Zechariah, an honor he had waited for all his life. But that was not all. He had been chosen for more than this task.
An angel! A promise! A child!
Zechariah responded (to an angel!) with skepticism (“I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”). And was given the gift of silence until the child was born.
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To Elizabeth: A Silent Husband and a Baby (Luke 1:24-25).
Children were a gift from God, but Elizabeth was barren – and now she was old. Zechariah surely communicated what had happened, and Elizabeth’s growing belly confirmed the message.
And Elizabeth responded with gleeful joy (“The Lord has done this for me!”)
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To Mary: An Angel with an Assignment (Luke 1:26-38).
Mary was just as surprised by Gabriel, but she was more curious than skeptical.
She responded with acceptance (“I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”) and praise (“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”)
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To Joseph: A Dream, Reassurance and a Mission (Matthew 1:18-25).
Old Testament justice required Mary be stoned for her “crime.” At the very least, Joseph could divorce her. But God sent him an angel in his dream to reveal the truth: Mary was every bit as pure as he had thought. And he was invited to be an important part of the most amazing story ever.
Joseph responded with humble obedience (When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.)
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No matter the response, each received that which was given. Because can you really say “No, Thank You,” to God?
The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,
and as I have purposed, so it will happen.” Isaiah 14:24 NIV
So be comforted.
God’s purpose and plan for you cannot fail. No matter how it may look.
Receive that gift.