Once again I wish I had a picture for every event but it is not to be. I just could not go forward without telling you about Zacharias so here we go....
Read: Luke 1
After years of praying for a child and while serving in the temple Zacharias is visited by Gabriel. Just a little information about Zacharias's temple service; he would serve in the temple for one week twice a year. A priest, chosen by casting lots, ~this was done to ensure that everyone had equal opportunity....there were so many priests that the chances of doing this once let alone more than once was very remote~ would enter the temple and light the incense.
Taken from "Jesus The Christ" by James E. Talmage, pg. 72.
"On this day the lot had fallen to Zacharias. It was a very solemn occasion in the life of the humble Judean priest -- this one day in his life on which the special and particularly sacred service was required of him. ...The place and the time were conducive to the highest and most reverential feelings. As Zacharias ministered within the Holy Place, the people without bowed themselves in prayer, watching for the clouds of incense smoke to appear above the great partition which formed the barrier between the place of general assembly and the Holy Place, and awaited the reappearance of the priest and his pronouncement of the benediction.
"Before the astonished gaze of Zacharias, at this supreme moment of his priestly service, there appeared, standing on the right of the golden altar of incense, an angel of the Lord." (Remember the people hadn't had revelations for many years and thought they were something that happened only in the past.)
What was Zacharias's reaction to the announcement of being a father? What happened to Zacharias as a result of his reaction? Elisabeth (again a woman who had waited and prayed for a child her whole married life) was a cousin to Mary (the mother of Jesus.) Again read all of Luke 1.
In the last verse where was John and why was he there?
Read here beginning at (3-5) Jesus and John Escape Herod's Wrath.
We will learn more about John and his mission later.
Zacharias has become a hero to me! Elisabeth....how did she keep John alive and safe? Was she alone? These are some strong people we could take some lessons from.
Next post back to the pictures.
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