Luke 1:8-17
"Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 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 give him the name John."
The altar of incense represents our prayer before God. When Zechariah was serving God, he went before God and prayed. God listens to prayer, and He will also respond with wonderful work on us. In verse 13, Lord said to Zechariah: "Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John." The meaning of the name John is "God's gift"; not only did God listen to his prayer, He also gave him a gift.
Your prayer before God is not done in vain. God will listen to your prayer and also give you a gift. He will do wonderful things in your life. When God accomplishes something for you, He's actually doing it for His Kingdom and His will. Verse 14 says that many will rejoice because of the birth of Jesus, and John the Baptist will be the pioneer for Jesus Christ who will prepare the way for Him, so that His salvation can come upon all nations and all people. Even today, we are blessed by the prayer of Zechariah that God listened and responded to.
The ministry of John, as described in this passage, was to turn the hearts of the Israelites back to God, and let the Father's heart turn back to the children. Bible often describes turning back in both directions; on the one hand, God will cover His eyes from seeing our sins in order to welcome us back; on the other hand, we are happy turn back from the path of disobedience and stubbornness to run towards God's arms. God is happy to let us encounter Him and He's waiting for us to meet him. You might think that you have been waiting for God, but that's not quite true, because God is also waiting for you. God expects you to turn back to His arms so that His grace can come upon you. He wants to listen to your prayer and also make you a part of His eternal plan, to become blessing for many, much like the family of Zechariah.
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