In the Bible, the book that Luke wrote in the New Testament, Luke tells his friend Theophilus about a couple that “walked in all the commandment and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (Luke 1:6 NKJV). Their names were Zacharias and Elizabeth. I find it interesting to note the meanings of the names of some of the people in the Bible. For instance, the Hebrew name, Zacharias means “the LORD remembers” or “Yahweh has remembered”. Elizabeth’s name in Hebrew means “God’s oath” or “God’s fulfillment”. Zacharias was just an ordinary Priest. He wasn’t the high Priest or even a Chief Priest. He was one of thousands of ‘common’ Priests that lead in worship though out Isreal. Now these two, Zacharias and Elizabeth, were old enough to be grandparents. But the Bible says that Elizabeth was barren, meaning that she couldn’t and didn’t have any children. One day Zacharias took a vessel of burning incense into the Temple – the House of God. Now you have to recognize that this was a privilege for Zacharias. It is believed that there were about 2000 priest in the time that Jesus lived on earth. So, the ‘casting lots’ was a practice to determine who would go before God and pray for the people of Israel. That would mean that it most likely was a one in a lifetime opportunity for Zacharias. While he was inside the Temple, Gabriel (an Angel “Who stands in the presents of God” – Luke 1:19) appeared to Zacharias and told him; “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him (Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:13-17 NKJV). Of course, Zacharias questioned Gabriel and said that he was old and that his wife was “well advanced in years.” Smart man that Zacharias, saying that his wife was “well advanced in years”. (Luke 1:18 NKJV) He could have just said “she’s an old woman”. But one thing that Zacharias forgot; his prayer had been heard. Some say that Zacharias was praying for a child when he was younger; however, now that he is old, he tucked that prayer in the back of his mind and went on with his life. Which makes sense that Zacharias questioned Gabreil, even though Gabreil said, “your prayer is heard”. Now because Zacharias questioned Gabriel, Gabriel told Zacharias that he would not be able to speak until his son was born. (See Luke 1:19&20) The next time you hear about Gabriel is when he appears to Mary “and having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:28-38 NKJV) Now let’s talk about Elizabeth. Can you imagine how she felt after she found out that she was pregnant? Mind you, at her age, she should have had grandchildren already. But no; the heartache, the shame of not having a child weighed heavy on her. But not anymore because ‘her who was called barren’ is barren no longer. Remember that I said that the name of Zacharias means “the LORD remembers” or “Yahweh has remembered”, and Elizabeth’s name means “God’s oath” or “God’s fulfillment”. It’s interesting to note that John’s name means “Jehovah is a gracious giver.” So, one could say that “The Lord remembers His oath, Who is a gracious giver.” If Jesus is your Lord and Savior and you find yourself this Christmas in a season that seems dry and barren; you’ve given up and you feel that your prayers were not heard for years regarding your lost loved ones or an illness that has taken a toll on you or someone you know — Your prayers have been heard. It may not seem God was listening; but He heard you the very first time you prayed. Just remember the final words of Gabriel when he announced to Mary that she, being a virgin, was going to give birth the Jesus and that Elizabeth was pregnant in her old age — “FOR WITH GOD NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSIBLE!” (Luke 1:37 NKJV) The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it would obey you!(Luke 17:5-6 NLT) If you don’t know Jesus but would like to know more about Him, Tap or Click Here!

“Her Who was Barren”