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And the angel answered him [Zechariah], “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” (Luke 1:19-20)
I love God’s sense of humor expressed through the angel Gabriel. Because He could have gotten mad, couldn’t He? But He doesn’t. He simply reminds Zechariah of the facts of the case—“Hey, you’re talking to an angel. Right here, see? I stand in the presence of God? Right. So why are you doubting me?”
And then God gives Zechariah the extra “sign” he was asking for, the answer to his doubtful “How will I know this?” “Fine,” says the angel on God’s behalf, “if you want a sign that badly, you can be mute for the next nine months. Will that do you?”
I think of my own husband the pastor, and I wonder. Would he survive for nine months with no voice? What a discipline for a preacher, poor man!
But the discipline is a loving one—for Zechariah will indeed see God’s promise come true, and he will see his son John born, the first visible, touchable sign of God’s coming into the world. For John is Jesus’ forerunner, and he goes before the One who is both God and Man, who will give Himself up into death to save the world—and who will rise from the dead to give life to all of us.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your patience with me when I am slow to believe—and thank You for loving me anyway. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- Does it surprise you to think God has a sense of humor?
- Where else do you see it?
- Why is John a sign of Jesus’ coming?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
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