Sometimes, life is a succession of questions that God seems to ignore—until, at the right time, His silence provides an answer that is better than any answer in the world.
“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old” (Luke 1:5-7).
The Gospel of Luke begins with the story of this devout couple, introducing readers to the point in their lives when, after a period of uncertainty, all their questions are answered.
Why us?
“Elizabeth” is the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Elisheba”, meaning “God keeps His oath”. According to biblical tradition, Elisheba was the daughter of Aaron the high priest, which gave her a special status, as the daughters of priests were considered to be under special protection.[1] And yet, the blessing was slow in coming.
Added to the pain of helplessness was the stigma attached to them by those around them. They lived among people who believed that having children was a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3), but there was also a belief that the lack of children was a sign of sin. However, both spouses rigorously observed all the laws. Nevertheless, perfect behaviour does not necessarily guarantee success, and in their case it was not a means of earning divine favour; it was simply a way of life. They enjoyed what they had: a fulfilling life together.
Perhaps a glimmer of hope flickered in their hearts when they read stories from the past that were similar to their own. Still, the feeling of God’s presence was essential and sufficient in moments of doubt. They did not dwell on shortcomings, silence, and tears. Their experience was intended to encourage families, showing them how patience is perfected in moments of prolonged waiting.
Why now?
Zechariah was chosen by lot to serve in the Temple. During the service, the angel of the Lord appeared to him with the good news that their prayer had been answered. He reacted with a mixture of disbelief and fear. He asked for a sign to ensure he could trust the good news. The sign was given to him, but it also served as a lesson for his disbelief: he would not be able to speak again until the day his son was born. What is certain is that God orchestrates events in such a way that He can reveal Himself extraordinarily. His plan for each person is personal and precise, without haste or delay. Our role is to accept every step of God’s plan and fulfil the requirements He sets for us.
Although Elizabeth and her husband would have liked to enjoy parenthood earlier and for longer, the angel’s words (“You are to call him John” [Luke 1:13]), a name meaning “God is gracious,”[2] confirmed to them that everything was happening exactly at the time appointed by God. The meaning of the chosen name was the best assurance. A contemporary of the long-awaited Saviour Himself, John prepared the way for the Saviour and baptised the King of the Universe in the River Jordan. The timing could not have been more precise!
What is the appropriate response?
“The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown His favor and taken away my disgrace among the people” (Luke 1:25). Elizabeth recognised God’s presence and direct involvement, as well as the fact that He determines the context and timing of everything. She also knew that the fulfilment of this prayer did not stop there. The angel assured Zechariah that John would be a source of joy, not just for his parents, but for everyone. Making others happy is the essence of life; it is life itself and has eternal significance. God accomplishes complete works.
Starting in verse 39, Luke describes the visit that Mary, the mother of Jesus, makes to her cousin Elizabeth. With complete selflessness, Elizabeth acknowledges the important role that the “mother of the Lord” will play in human history. The women of the Israelite people lived with the hope that salvation might come through one of them. Elizabeth had already experienced extraordinary divine intervention; only a few pieces of her puzzle were missing. When she saw Mary, the presence of the Holy Spirit filled her with joy at the sight of the woman who was “blessed among women.” Humility, a rare character trait which would be passed on to her son, led John to declare, “After me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry” (Matthew 3:11). These words came from the mouth of the man whom Christ called the greatest of all (Matthew 11:11).
The Kingdom of God is replete with paradoxes, as we perceive it to be: those who find happiness are those who engender it in the lives of others, and those who humble themselves become the most eminent among their peers. In his essay “The poppies in the corn”, F. W. Boreham writes about a striking phenomenon: “There is a very lovable thing about the poppies in the corn that I can never sufficiently admire. The poppies never belittle the corn. They glorify it. As you watch the blood-red poppies tossing in a sea of golden corn, it never occurs to you to institute a comparison. The poppies and the corn seem equally lovely. That is the glory of true greatness.”[3] Envy is an absolutely useless emotion. Everyone has their calling, their place, and their time.
A gift that brings light and joy
Elizabeth, an elderly childless woman and student of the school of faith, encourages Mary, a young virgin, that everything she has been told will come to pass. And it did come to pass, even though some events are beyond human understanding. At the birth of John, neighbours and relatives gathered and rejoiced with Elizabeth. What a pleasant image! The joy that the angel had foretold to Zechariah had already begun. People put aside their own opinions and shared in the happiness of this family.
According to tradition, the child was to be named after his father or another relative. Despite the pressure from others and the lack of support from her husband, Elizabeth did not give in. For her, the word of God took precedence over tradition. “His name is John,” Zechariah confirmed, thus fulfilling the angel’s words (Luke 1:63). As parents, they needed the same divine mercy that had given them the child in order to raise him according to God’s will.
Elizabeth and Zechariah were among those who waited for the coming of the Messiah, hoping that it would dispel the darkness surrounding them. They did not realise at the time that their waiting had kindled a light that would not dim amid corruption, wickedness, hypocrisy, intemperance, and immorality. Moreover, their son was to be a light through which Jesus Christ would be seen and understood more clearly by people of all walks of life.
The one who was to prepare people’s hearts for the Messiah was, first and foremost, a sign to his family that God does not forget those who wait for Him. And when heaven spoke to his parents, joy replaced silence.
“He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth” (Luke 1:14), the angel told Zechariah. God transformed the colours of their autumn into the most beautiful shades of green. This is His power!
Ciprian Șandru reflects on the long wait experienced by Elizabeth and her husband, as well as the lessons that believers waiting for the spring of God’s grace, even in the autumn of their lives, can learn from this story.