41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:41-52)
Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Festival of Passover, when Jesus was twelve years old, he also went. After the Passover, they returned to Nazareth, unaware that Jesus was still in Jerusalem. Later, they went to Jerusalem again and found Jesus in the temple. Jesus sat among the teachers, and the people were amazed at his wisdom and his answers, and his parents were also amazed. When his mother asked him why he had done this, he said, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” The Lord Jesus is the Son of God, and He had to be in his Father’s house, to be about the Father’s business. At the time, Mary did not understand what the Lord Jesus meant, but she kept all these things in her heart. Other scriptures also mention that Mary kept the things in her heart when she did not understand them.
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17)
These two verses say that that all things were created through the Lord Jesus. He is the Creator, not created. He co-created all things with God the Father, and therefore, at the age of twelve, he had already a lots of wisdom. He is both divine and human, and as a human being, he needed to grow in wisdom and stature, and he was obedient to his parents.
3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” (Mark 6:3-4)
From the age of twelve until his baptism, trained disciples and preached the gospel, the Bible doesn’t record much about Jesus. It mentions that he was a carpenter, and there is verse mentions that his father is also a carpenter. The Lord Jesus was not respected in his own town, so he went to other places to preach, performing many miracles, and many people believed in him.
May God bless you and your family!
Gospel Luke study
Simeon Met the Baby Jesus
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:22-35)
Here we see that Mary and Joseph went to the temple in Jerusalem to present the baby Jesus to the Lord, in accordance with the Old Testament law. In Jerusalem there lived a man named Simeon. He was righteous and devout, and he longed for the coming of Israel’s Comforter, Israel’s Comforter mentioned here is the Lord Jesus. He received a revelation from the Holy Spirit, knowing that before he died he would see the Christ appointed by the Lord. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he entered the temple and happened to meet Jesus’ parents carrying their child in to do for him what the custom of the Law required. This encounter was no accident; it was guided and arranged by the Holy Spirit. Upon seeing the infant Lord Jesus, Simeon praised God and said, “For my eyes have seen your salvation.” The Lord Jesus is God’s salvation. His coming would bring salvation to the world, saving the people from their sins. Just as Simeon had said, the Lord Jesus is the light of the Gentiles, the light of the world. Simeon then said to Mary, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” This was Simeon’s prophecy, and we can see these were what happened later in the Bible. The Pharisees and many Jews fell because of their unbelief in the Lord Jesus, but the Lord Jesus raised up many disciples who believed in Him. He was slandered, persecuted, and finally crucified, His mother Mary was very sad, just as Simeon had predicted, sword would pierce Mary’s soul too.
As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 9:33)
This verse in the book of Romans says that many Jews fell because of their unbelief in the Lord Jesus, but those who believe in Him will never be put to shame; they will receive God’s salvation.
May God bless you and your family!
The Angel Brings Good News to the Shepherds
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. (Luke 2:8-21)
Here we see that after the Lord Jesus was born, angels appeared to the shepherds and announced the good news. Shepherds were of relatively low social status, and the good news of birth of the Lord Jesus was first announced to them. God gives grace to the humble and favors the lowly. When the angel appeared to them, they were afraid, but the angel told them not to be afraid. As we saw earlier, when the angel appeared to Zechariah and Mary, he also told them not to be afraid. However, demons are different. When they appear to people, they don’t tell them not to be afraid. The angel told the shepherds that the Lord Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem. A manger is a feeding trough for animals, a humble place. Upon hearing the good news, the shepherds believed and obeyed, and hurried to Bethlehem, where they found Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus in a manger. Seeing him, they spread the angel’s words concerning the child. Returning, the shepherds glorified and praised God, because everything they had heard and seen was just as the angel had told them. We see the shepherds’ faithful response. They acted immediately upon hearing the angel’s message, telling others and glorifying and praising God. Here we also see that the angel’s message portrays Jesus as the Savior, the Messiah, and the Lord. The word “Messiah” comes from the Hebrew word “Mashiach,” meaning “the anointed one.” In ancient Israel, when a person was appointed to an important position (such as king, priest, or prophet), a ceremony was held in which sacred anointing oil was poured on their head. This “anointing” ceremony symbolized their selection by God and the granting of authority and mission. We also see that after eight days, the child was circumcised. According to the Old Testament, a child must be circumcised eight days after birth. He was named Jesus, a name given by the angel to Mary and Joseph.
May God bless you and your family!
The Birth of Jesus
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:1-7)
In this passage we see that there was a census, and everyone went to their own cities to register. Joseph, a descendant of David, went from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea, the city of David, to register with Mary, his betrothed wife. While they were there, the time came for Mary to give birth, and she gave birth to the Lord Jesus in a manger, because the inn was full. The Lord Jesus, the Son of God, was not born in a palace, but in a manger. A manger is a feeding trough for animals, a humble place.
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. (Micah 5:2)
This Old Testament passage prophesied about the Lord Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. Here we see the Holy Spirit inspired those in authority to conduct a census to fulfill God’s purpose and bring about the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecy of the Lord Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25)
This passage is the parallel passage about the birth of Jesus. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling him that his fiancée’s would bear a child from the Holy Spirit and that he should name him Jesus. The name “Jesus” means that he would save his people from their sins. Here we see that God can speak to people through dreams, but not all dreams are from God. Some come from God, some from demons, and some from oneself.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14).
The verse in the book of Isaiah of the Old Testament prophesied that a virgin would conceive and bear a son, and that his name would be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.”
No one has ever gone into heaven except
The Birth of John the Baptist
57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. 59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” 62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. 67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—72 to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel. (Luke 1:57-80)
This passage is about the birth of John the Baptist. They would name him Zechariah after his father. His parents would name him John. This name was given by the angel. After Zechariah named his son, his mouth immediately opened. Previously, Zechariah became mute due to his disbelief in the angel’s words, just as the angel had predicted, his mouth would open after his son’s birth. Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to prophesy, saying “He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” This prophecy refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. From a human perspective, the Lord Jesus is the descendant of David, the horn of salvation, he would save his people from their sins. He also prophesied: “ to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham”
16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”(Genesis 22:16-18)
When God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham obeyed, believing that God would resurrect his son. However, God sent an angel to stop him and swore to bless him, making his descendants as numerous as the stars of the
This passage is about the birth of John the Baptist. They would name him Zechariah after his father. His parents would name him John. This name was given by the angel. After Zechariah named his son, his mouth immediately opened. Previously, Zechariah became mute due to his disbelief in the angel’s words, just as the angel had predicted, his mouth would open after his son’s birth. Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to prophesy, saying “He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” This prophecy refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. From a human perspective, the Lord Jesus is the descendant of David, the horn of salvation, he would save his people from their sins. He also prophesied: “ to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham”
16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”(Genesis 22:16-18)
When God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham obeyed, believing that God would resurrect his son. However, God sent an angel to stop him and swore to bless him, making his descendants as numerous as the stars of the
Mary Glorifies the Lord
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. (Luke 1:39-56)
Elizabeth was a relative of Mary. When Mary learned from the angel that Elizabeth was six months pregnant, she hurried from Nazareth to Elizabeth’s home in Judea. At Mary’s greeting, her baby leaped for joy in her womb. Earlier, when the angel appeared to Zechariah and told him that John the Baptist world be filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb. Elizabeth called Mary the mother of my Lord, knowing that the child she was carrying, the Lord Jesus, was her Lord, the Son of God. Mary said, “From now on all generations will call me blessed.” But many in our generations don’t call her blessed. Because of her humility, God lifted her up. God’s value is contrary to the world’s value. He lifts up the humble, fills the hungry with good things, and sends the rich away empty.
1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. (John 2:1-11)
Here we see a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, along with Jesus and his disciples, were invited to the wedding. Before the wedding was over, the wine ran out, and Mary told Jesus about it, would like
Prophecy of the Birth of Jesus
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:26-38)
Last time, we studied “The Prophecy of the Birth of John the Baptist.” Today, we study “The Prophecy of the Birth of Jesus.” Six months after Elizabeth conceived John the Baptist, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth in Galilee to appear to the virgin Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph, a descendant of King David. When the angel greeted Mary, she was greatly troubled. The angel told her not to be afraid, saying she would conceive and give birth to a son and would name him Jesus. He would be called the Son of the Most High, i.e. the Son of God. Mary, however, questioned how this could happen since she was a virgin. The angel then told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and cause her to conceive. Mary then replied, “I am the Lord’s servant, May your word to me be fulfilled” We see that when the angel delivered the message to Mary and Zechariah, their reactions were different: Zechariah was skeptical and unbelieving, while Mary responded with faith, humility, and obedience. This is an example for us to learn from.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
This Old Testament verse prophesies that a virgin will conceive and bear a son, and his name will be called Immanuel, which means, “God with us.”
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)
This Old Testament verse prophesied that the Lord Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. Later, we learn that the Lord Jesus grew up in Nazareth, hence people call him Jesus of Nazareth.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
This Old Testament verse also prophesied the birth of Jesus. It speaks of Him as Almighty God, the Everlasting Father. Being the Everlasting Father does not mean that He is God the Father. Jesus is the Son of God, the Son of the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus sometimes addressed His disciples as children. Being the Everlasting Father means that He will forever protect and provide for us like a father.
May God bless you and your family!
Prophecy of the Birth of John the Baptist
5 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. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. 8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. 23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” (Luke 1:5-25)
In the Bible there are four Gospels. We have studied Gospel Mark and John, and just finished studying Gospel Matthew. Now we are studying Gospel Luke. This passage prophesies the birth of John the Baptist. Here we see a priest named Zechariah and his wife named Elizabeth. Elizabeth was barren, and both of them were very old. One day, while Zechariah was serving the Lord in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him. He was afraid, but the angel told him not to be afraid and told him that his wife would bear him a son, whom he would name John. He would have the spirit of the Old Testament prophet Elijah and would lead many Israelites to God. Because of his old age, Zechariah did not believe the angel’s words. Because of his disbelief, the angel made him dumb until the birth of the child. Later, his wife Elizabeth did become pregnant. In the Old Testament, being childless was a disgrace. In the New Testament, being childless is not a disgrace. Some remain unmarried or childless in order to be devoted to serve the Lord.
“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly
