God’s Breaks His Silence

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Luke 2:8-14

 

Luke 2:10-11

 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

(NKJV)

 

Four hundred years have passed since the prophecy of Malichi with no new revelations coming from God. However, the silence of God has ended with God speaking through His angels to Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, and a group of shepherds. One would think that God would have broken His silence by speaking to the religious leaders of the day but instead, we see Him breaking His silence by speaking to normal people going about their lives. However, this should not surprise us for the message of the Gospel is God came to sinful humanity to provide salvation from sin. The announcements after four hundred years of silence indicate something grand and glorious is about to happen.

 

1)                              Zacharias (Luke 1:5-25) – Zachariah was a priest of the division of Abijah. His division was on duty with Zachariah selected to enter the temple of the Lord to burn incense (Luke 1:8-9). While performing his priestly duties, an angel appears to him bringing great fear because of God’s silence for many years (Luke 1:10-12). The announcement of the angel tells Zachariah that he and his wife will have a child in the old age who will in the power of Elijah prepare the way for the coming of the Lord (Luke 1:13-17). Zachariah is unable to speak due to not believing what the angel told him (Luke 1:18-23). The word of the angel comes true, and Zachariah’s wife conceives a son.

2)                              Mary (Luke 1:26-38) – An angel then appears to a young virgin in Nazareth. Mary who was engaged to Joseph making the message given by the angel disturbing to a young woman raised in the Jewish culture. She is told she has found favor with God with the disturbing part of the announcement that she will have a child (Luke 1:30-31). I am sure she began to hear the rumors in her head but also must consider that the angel told her the child she would have would be great and called the son of the Highest (Luke 1:32). Mary tells the angel to let it be to her according to his word.

3)                              Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25) – After hearing that his fiancé was with child, Joseph considers putting her away secretly for what appears to be her immorality (Matthew 1:18-19). However, Joseph too has an angelic visitation telling him that the child Mary is carrying is not due to her immoral behavior but a special child conceived of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20). Like Mary, Joseph also agrees to do as the angel commanded (Matthew 1:24).

4)                              The Shepherds (Luke 2:8-21) – The final announcement comes to a group of shepherds tending their sheep. It should not surprise us that the announcement of the birth of Jesus, the great shepherd (Hebrews 13:20), would be given to a group of shepherds tending their sheep outside of Bethlehem. While initially afraid, the shepherds decide to go into Bethlehem to see what has happened (Luke 2:15). When they arrive in Bethlehem, they find things just as the angels said they would (Luke 2:20).

 

After four hundred years of silence, God speaks through four angelic visitations to a priest, a young girl, Joseph a carpenter, and a group of shepherds. The announcements by these angels are to announce a new covenant, not like the old covenant of the law but a new covenant of God’s love and provision of salvation by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16-17). Christmas is more than the celebration of a baby humbly born in a manger but of God coming to humanity in flesh and blood. Christmas is about when the word of God became flesh (John 1:14). Jesus mission for coming in the flesh was to bring salvation to the world by taking upon himself the judgment for humanity’s sin even though He knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is the greatest gift of love ever given (1 John 3:1).

 

Before departing earth to return to His Father in Heaven, Jesus gave the Church one simple mission, to take the message of salvation to all the world and to make disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). When I speak of the Church, I am not speaking of a building or organization but people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their personal savior. As we begin a new year, my prayer is that each person placing their faith in Jesus as their savior would share the truth of the Gospel with others. Jesus is coming back to take his Church to be with Him for eternity, I pray many will be able to answer that call because of the many disciples the Church has made.

 

If you are reading this and have not unwrapped the greatest gift of love given to humanity, I urge you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May everyone reading this have a Merry Christmas and a New Year of blessing and revival in the Church.