Old Testament Reading: Malachi 4

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts. Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. ‘Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.’” (Malachi 4, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Luke 1:5-25

“In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been 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 before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will 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, and he will go before him 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 for the Lord a people prepared.’ And Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.’ And the angel answered him, ‘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.’ And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, ‘Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.’” (Luke 1:5–25, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Introduction

In Galatians 4:4 Paul the Apostle says, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4–5, ESV). I would like you to see that the same truth Paul states in his epistle, Luke narrates in his Gospel. Paul delivers the truth regarding the birth of the Messiah and the purpose of his coming in the form of doctrine, or teaching. Luke delivers the truth to us by telling the story. 

The phrase from Galatians that I would like to draw your attention to  is, “But when the fullness of time had come…”  It indicates that the birth of Jesus the Messiah was right on time. More than this, it indicates that the birth of Jesus the Messiah was in fulfillment of promises previously made. Jesus the Messiah was born into the world – “born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” – at just the right time (according to the plan of God), and in fulfillment to the promises of God previously made (as recorded in the Old Testament Scriptures). What Paul says in a direct way, Luke teaches in narrative form. 

In Luke 1:5-25 Luke tells us the story of the angelic announcement that came to a man named Zachariah concerning the imminent miraculous conception and birth of his son, John. John would not be the Christ who was promised beforehand, but he would be the forerunner to Christ. This son of Zachariah would be the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah. And you should know that the Old Testament Scriptures do not only contain promises and prophesies concerning the coming Messiah. They also speak of the one who would prepare the way for him. 

So then, this announcement that came to Zachariah by way of the Angel Gabriel was no small thing. It was a clear indication that “the fullness of time had come”. The very thing that those who were devout and faithful in Israel were looking forward to, was about to happen. The Lord’s Messiah – the Messiah who was promised to Adam and Eve after their fall into sin, to Abraham in the covenant that God made with him and his descendants, to Israel in the covenant that God made with them through Moses, and to David in the covenant that God made with him – was about to arrive. Those who were devout and faithful in Old Covenant Israel believed these promises and they were very much looking forward to their fulfillment. It would be hard to overstate just how amazing and significant this heavenly announcement would have been to those who had faith in these promises. To hear that the forerunner of the Messiah was about to be born would have been the greatest of all announcements to hear, for this meant that the Messiah himself was at hand. In other words, the “fullness of time (as it pertained to the arrival of the promised Redeemer) had come.”

I think that is the main point of the passage that is before us today. As we consider Luke 1:5-25 and the announcement that came to Zechariah by way of the angel Gabriel, we ought to be struck with a sense of the weightiness of the moment. Something was about to happen that would shake heaven and earth. Let us now consider this narrative in detail to see that it is so. I have five observations to make. 

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The Announcement Concerning The Soon Arrival Of The Messiah 

Happened First At The Temple

One, notice that the announcement concerning the soon arrival of the Messiah happened first at the temple in Jerusalem. The angel Gabriel appeared to Zachariah to deliver this message while he ministered as a priest in the temple, in the holy place, and before the altar of incense. 

I’m glad that we have just finished a study of the book of Exodus. Having that story fresh in our minds will help us greatly in our study of Luke’s Gospel, for Luke presents Christ to us as a second and greater Moses, and the work of Christ as a second and greater Exodus. And it is also good because in that study we learned all about the tabernacle (or temple), its design, and its significance.

I cannot take the time in this sermon to remind you of all that the tabernacle, and later temple, signified. But I will remind you of three basic things. One, the tabernacle, and later temple, was the place where the God of heaven invited his people on earth to come and meet with him and to worship him under the Old Mosaic Covenant. The tabernacle and temple functioned, therefore, as a kind of special contact point between heaven and earth in those days. Two, the tabernacle and temple, along with all of the sacrifices that were offered there, provided cleansing for the priests and the people in an earthly and temporary way while also pointing forward to the Christ who would one day atone for sin really, truly, and eternally in fulfillment to the promises of God previously made. So then, the tabernacle and temple were places for ceremonial cleansing and true worship, but they also pointed forward to someone and something greater, namely Christ, his atoning sacrifice, and the new creation temple which he would earn through his obedience unto death. Three, the tabernacle and temple were constructed in such a way as to symbolize one’s approach to God who is enthroned in heaven. To journey to the temple was to ascend the mountain of the Lord. Entering the courtyard the people were reminded of their sojourning on earth by the mountain-like altar upon which animal sacrifices were offered up, and the ocean-like sea in which the priests would be consecrated and daily cleansed. The Holy place symbolized (in part) the heavens above, and the Most Holy Place symbolized the heaven of heavens, that is to say, the very throneroom of God in heaven where he manifests his glory even now before the elect angels. But as you know, a curtain divided the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The High Priest would pass through the curtain and enter the Most Holy Place once a year, and not without animal blood to atone for his own sin and the sins of the people. The curtain communicated, on the one hand, that the way into the presence of God had not yet been opened up wide. On the other hand, when the High Priest entered once a year, it communicated that the way into God’s presence was not closed off entirely. No, it would be opened up wide, for God had promised. And we know that it was opened up by Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, and mediator of the New Covenant, through the offering up of himself before God for the sins of many. The priests of Israel (the common ones) were not able to enter the Most Holy Place. They ministered daily in the Holy Place. And one of the things they did was burn incense on the altar of incense at the hour of prayer, morning and evening. The incense would raise from the altar, pass through the curtain, and enter the Most Holy Place, signifying that our prayers do in fact reach God’s ears. And all things considered, what do you think the priests were to pray for as they offered up incense and prayers on behalf of the people at that altar morning and evening? One of the things they must have prayed for was the consolation of Israel through the arrival of the Messiah who was promised to them long before.  

It is perfectly fitting, therefore – in fact, it is marvelously beautiful and glorious  –  that the first announcement concerning the soon arrival of the Messiah happened at the temple in Jerusalem. More specifically, the announcement came to Zachariah the priest as he ministered at the altar of incense which was placed just in front of that ominous curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy place. It is not hard to imagine generations of faithful priests ministering there at that altar praying for the consolation of Israel through the arrival of the Messiah as if knocking on the door and saying, open wide the way, O Lord. Open wide the way into your presence for Israel and for the nations in fulfillment of your promises. 

Brothers and sisters, we must read the New Testament Scripture being mindful of the Old Testament Scriptures. And the more we know and understand the Old Testament Scriptures, the more we will be able to appreciate the meaning of the New. When Luke tells us that the announcement concerning the soon arrival of the Messiah was delivered first to a priest ministering in the temple at the altar of incense, it is far more than fact – it is a fact that is filled with significance and meaning. The One that the temple signified was about to arrive. The One whom those who were faithful in Israel longed for and prayed for was about to arrive. The One who would open wide the way into the presence of God through his broken body and shed blood was at hand. The location at which this announcement was first made was perfectly fitting and filled with symbolism. May the Lord give us understanding.

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The Announcement Concerning The Soon Arrival Of The Messiah 

Came First To A Righteous Priest

Two, notice that the announcement concerning the soon arrival of the Messiah came first to a righteous priest. This too was most fitting.

Now, it is true that many of the priests and the religious elite in Israel did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Many had a dead and lifeless form of religion. Many did not understand the Old Testament Scriptures truly, though they claimed to be experts. Many did not believe the promises of God concerning Jesus the Messiah. The Gospels make much of the hardness of heart and unbelief of many within Israel in the days of Christ. But notice this: some did believe. There were some who were righteous, faithful, and eagerly awaiting the consolation of Israel and the arrival of the Lord’s Messiah. Zachariah the priest, along with his wife Elizabeth, were among these.

Our text says that Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth “were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.” When the text says they were righteous, this does not mean that they were sinless, but that they were made righteous through faith in the promised Messiah, just as Abraham was. And because they were made righteous through faith, they also walked “blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.” They kept God’s law, in other words. They kept the civil and ceremonial laws of Moses. They strove to keep the moral law. When they sinned (which they certainly did), they repented and turned to God by offering up the sacrifices required under the Old Covenant, trusting always, not in their own righteousness, nor in the blood of bulls and goats, but in the promised Messiah, of which these things were a sign. 

The text also tells us that the righteous couple “had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.” This would have undoubtedly been a great sorrow to Zachariah and Elizabeth. Children are blessing from God to all people living in all times and places. But they were especially precious to Israelites living in those days. Children would take care of their parents in old age. Being childless left people particularly vulnerable. I emphasize the obvious sorrow associated with childlessness to draw your attention to this reality: those who are righteous and faithful – those who walk blamelessly before God – do also suffer. But those who have faith know that God works in and through our sufferings, and so we entrust ourselves to God even in the midst of difficulties and sorrows, knowing that he cares for us.

There is one more observation that I would like to make concerning Zechariah and Elizabeth before moving on. They were nobodies when considered in a worldly way. They were likely poor, weak, and vulnerable.  And yet the Lord determined to use them mightily. Notice how Luke introduces Zechariah to us alongside another individual, namely, Herod, king of Judea – “In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah”, the text says. Herod was a man of great power and wealth. He was so powerful that “days” or times were identified by his reign. And yet the Lord’s will was not to establish his kingdom through the rich and powerful, but the weak, vulnerable, and marginalized of society. This theme will run strong throughout Luke’s Gospel, and it is introduced here at the very beginning. Brothers and sisters, know this: God, through Jesus the Messiah, takes the wisdom and ways of this fallen and sin-sick world and turns them on their heads. In Christ, the mighty and the proud will be brought low, but the humble and poor in spirit will be lifted up. Look for the theme. It is everywhere in Luke’s Gospel. More importantly, believe in the teaching and live by it. Do you wish to be exulted? Then be brought low. Bow the knee before God and Christ. Live for his glory, not your own. Do you wish to gain your life? Then lose it by dying to self and living for the good of others and the glory of God. Walk humbly before God and man. In due time, he will exult you.   

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The Announcement Concerning The Soon Arrival Of The Messiah Was 

Delivered By The Angel Gabriel

Thirdly, notice that the announcement concerning the soon arrival of the Messiah was delivered by the angel Gabriel. 

Angels are ministering spirits. At some point before man’s fall into sin on earth, there was a fall or rebellion in the heavenly realm. There was no one angel who was set as covenant head over all the rest, as Adam was over humanity, and so the decision to remain faithful to God or to rebel was individual. The elect angels (as they are called in 1 Timothy 5:21) remained faithful. The fallen angels rebelled. We do not have all the details about this, and we ought not to speculate about things not revealed. But it seems clear that some of the angels (with Lucifer or Satan in the lead) were filled with discontent regarding their place and wanted to have the power of God as their own, so they rebelled, and Satan then brought temptation to the man Adam through the woman Eve. Notice two things: One, no redeemer is provided for the angels. Two, not all angels fell, but some remained as servants of God and of God’s people.

There are many angels and demons, but we only know the names of a few of them through the Scriptures. Two of the elect angels that are mentioned by name in the Bible are Michael and Gabriel. They are often mentioned together and they seem to have been given the special task of ministering to God’s covenant people (see Daniel 8-10, 12, Jude 9, Revelation 12).

So what is the significance of this announcement being delivered by the angel Gabriel? Consider three things: 

One, the announcement by an angel communicates that what was about to happen on earth (namely, the birth of the forerunner to the Messiah, and thus the birth of the Messiah) was of heavenly origin and concern. It was the will of God, and it was of interest to the elect angelic. 

Two, the announcement by the angel Gabriel suggests that what was about to happen on earth was connected to the war that was (and is) raging in the spiritual realm, of which he was a part. I would like you to think about that passage in Daniel 10 where the prophet Daniel receives a vision concerning the future of Israel and it is none other than the angel Gabriel who speaks to him. But notice that Gabriel says something interesting in that encounter. In Daniel 10:13 he says, “The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia” (Daniel 10:13, ESV), and a little later he says, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince” (Daniel 10:20–21, ESV). It is beyond the scope of this sermon to offer a detailed explanation of Daniel 10. The thing that I want for you to notice is that it was Gabriel who appeared to Daniel, it was Gabriel who delivered a message to him concerning the future of Israel, and it was Gabriel who waged war in the spiritual realm with the prince of Persia (Israel’s enemy) and would wage war in the future with the prince of Greece (Isreal’s future enemy). These princes are spiritual beings – fallen angels who bound the nations in darkness and idolatry. Gabriel (and Michael) fought against them on behalf of Isarel. And so when Gabriel appears to Zechariah, it is right for us to assume that his announcement has something to do with this war that had been raging in the spiritual and heavenly realm. Indeed, Luke’s Gospel will make it quite clear that Jesus the Messiah came, not only to atone for sins, but defeat Satan himself, to overthrow his kingdom of darkness, and plunder his house.  In Luke’s Gospel, we will hear about the casing out of demons, the expulsion of Satan from heaven, and the binding of Satan, so that the gospel might spread to all nations – nations once bound in darkness and deceit.  When Gabriel appears, it is right to assume that it has something to do with this spiritual war. Indeed, more angels will appear to others announcing the birth of the Messiah. In Luke 2:13 they are described as a “multitude of heavenly host”. This is a description, not of an angelic choir, but of an angelic army prepared for battle. 

Three, when we hear that the angel Gabriel made the announcement to Zechariah concerning the soon arrival of the Messiah, we ought to remember the announcements that he made previously as God’s messenger to Daniel the prophet. As I have said, Gabriel appeared to Daniel as recorded in the book of Daniel chapters 8 and 9. In Daniel 8 things are revealed to Daniel regarding the future of Isarel. The details are limited, but it is clear that it has to do with the oppression that Isarel would endure, first under the Medo-Perian empire, and then under the Greeks. In Daniel 9 we find Daniel praying for his people Israel and pleading with the Lord to act and to deliver them. It is Gabriel who appeared to him again to bring an answer (Daniel 9:20).  And it is here that we find that famous prophecy concerning the 70 weeks, which revealed the length of time that would pass before the Lord’s anointed one (Messiah) would appear to be cut off to atone for sins (see Daniel 9:26; Isaiah 53:8). Again, it is beyond the scope of this sermon to offer a detailed interpretation of Daniel 9. But it should be clear that when Gabriel appears to deliver this announcement to Zechariah concerning the soon arrival of the Messiah, it has to do with the prophecy he previously delivered to Daniel. The time of which he spoke previously had come.   

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The Announcement Concerning The Soon Arrival Of The Messiah Was 

Presented As A Fulfilment Of Old Testament Prophesy

This leads us now to the fourth point of the sermon. Notice that the announcement concerning the soon arrival of the Messiah was presented as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy. 

I have just said that the very appearance of Gabriel ought to remind us of the prophecies of Daniel 8-10 and signal that the time for their fulfillment had come. But notice that Gabriel explicitly quotes Old Testament prophecy too. 

Beginning in Luke 1:11 we read, “And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.” This is the common reaction of men when they see an angel. So glorious are they that men fall to their knees and fear. Verse 13: “But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.’” Many assume that Zachariah’s prayer was for a child, and perhaps it was. But I cannot help but think that he was praying also (or even exclusively) for the consolation of Isarel through the arrival of the Messiah. Yes, it was announced to him that he would have a son in answer to his prayer. But more specifically, he would have a son who would serve as the forerunner to the Lord’s Messiah. Verse 14: “And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will 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, and he will go before him 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 for the Lord a people prepared.” (Luke 1:11–17, ESV)

There is a lot that could be said about verses 14 through 17. He is the thing that must be seen: the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, was announced by Gabriel as the fulfillment to the prophecy of Malachi 4:6, which is the very last verse of the Old Testament (according to the ordering of the books in our English Bibles), and the very last word of prophecy to be delivered before 400 years of silence. Stated differently, all of the prophetic activity of the Old Testament culminated in these words from Malachi: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction” (Malachi 4:5–6, ESV). The announcement of the angel Gabriel was clear. Zecharia and Elizabeth would be the ones to bring “Elijah” into the world. This was not the Old Covenant prophet “Elijah” reincarnated, of course, but the Elijah-like figure of whom Malachi spoke. John the Baptist would “go before [the LORD] in the spirit and power of Elijah.” His mission was to “turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God… [and] to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared” (Luke 1:16–17, ESV). Indeed, this is the very thing that John the Baptist did. And it was all in fulfillment to Old Testament prophecy. 

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The Announcement Concerning The Soon Arrival Of The Messiah Was 

Accompanied By Miraculous Events

I have one more observation to make before moving to a conclusion, and it will be brief. 

Fifthly, notice that the announcement concerning the soon arrival of the Messiah was accompanied by miraculous events. 

One, an angel appeared to Zacheriah. As we move on in Luke’s narrative we will learn that angels appeared to others too. The heavenly realm is typically hidden from our site. But at this period in the history of redemption, the heavenly realm was opened up a bit to demonstrate that the Lord was at work.

Two, Zachariah was made to be mute for a time because of his disbelief. Yes, this was a form of punishment, but we must also see it as a gift. It was a powerful sign to Zachariah and to all who knew him that the Lord had indeed spoken to him in the temple. The punishment fit the crime, didn’t it? Zachariah opened his mouth in disbelief; the Lord closed his mouth so that he would believe. It is also interesting to note that after Daniel received a message from the angel Gabriel the scriptures say that he “turned [his] face toward the ground and was mute” (Daniel 10:15, ESV). So then, Zechariah, like Daniel before him, was mute, but for different reasons. What Zechariah experienced was miraculous.

Three, it was a miracle that Zachariah and Elizabeth would have a child being advanced in years as they were. We should remember that God gave Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age after years of barrenness. So then, Isaac was born in a miraculous way. Isaac’s wife, Rebecca, was barren too. Issac prayed for her, and she gave birth to twins: Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25: 21). And now we hear that John the Baptist was born to a father and mother advanced in years who were barren. These are to be regarded as miraculous births which demonstrated God’s power and ability to bring life from death. They were a demonstration that God was at work. The miraculous births in the line of Abraham did also anticipate and prefigure the most miraculous birth of all: the virgin birth of Christ. 

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Conclusion

As we move to a conclusion, let us not forget Luke’s stated purpose for writing. “[I]t seemed good to [him]… having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account [to]… most excellent Theophilus, that [he] may have certainty concerning the things [he had] been taught” (Luke 1:3–4, ESV).

Let us pay special attention to the way in which Luke went about this task. Yes, he stated the facts concerning the things that happened. But notice that he presented the facts to us in such a way as to demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt that John the Baptist was the promised forerunner to the promised Christ. In other words, the story of John the Baptist, and therefore, the story of Jesus Christ, is set squarely in the context of the story contained in the Old Testament Scriptures.  

The Messiah (and before that, his forerunner) came into the world in fulfillment of promises previously made. Christ was the fulfillment of the temple and the priesthood. He was the fulfillment of prophecies revealed to Daniel by the angel Gabriel hundreds of years earlier. He was the fulfillment to prophecies uttered by Malachi. And when the birth of the forerunner to the Messiah was announced, the message with confirmed by miracles. In this way, Luke labors to give Theophilus (and all who love God through faith in Christ as he did) certainty concerning the things he had been taught. 

Brothers and sisters, if you wish to grow in certainty – if you wish to increase in faith, hope, and love – then one thing you must do is study the Scriptures, for in the Scriptures we find the revelation of God’s marvelous plan of redemption. In the Old Testament, we find promises, prophesies, types, and shadows concerning the Savior who was to come. In the New Testament, we learn that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled these things, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory” (2 Corinthians 1:20, ESV).