Doubt and Faith in Christ’s Coming Ministry

Luke 1:5-80

Christ is the eternal glorious divine Word of God. He’s the answer to all of our questions. Why are we here? Where are we headed? Why are things the way they are? How can I be saved? And in time, he was born. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. But as we saw from John 1, “the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not;” “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not;” and “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” And we see this. In all of Christ’s life, many people didn’t receive him. They doubted who he was. Despite maximum revelation, with all the miracles he performed to authenticate his words, many still disbelieved him. It was a willful unbelief. Romans 1 tells us that people have the truth, but hold it down, suppressing it. Why? Because if they acknowledge Jesus as God, they’d have to obey him. They’d have to love him, deny self, take up the cross, and follow him. But John 1 also says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” There were those who believed on him - they followed him, acknowledging he was the Christ - the Son of the Living God. So we see both doubt and faith in his ministry.

But doubt and faith were there before he came. And we see how dark the darkness was. We see doubt from a priest - someone who served God, but he had trouble believing. But we also see faith from a servant girl - in her humility, she trusted God’s words. We see 4 parts in our passage today. Firstly, the doubt and unbelief of a praying priest. Secondly, the faith and obedience of a servant girl. Thirdly, the praise of a blessed and joyful mother. Fourthly, the praise of a believing and grateful father.

Firstly, the doubt and unbelief of a praying priest. In verses 5-25, we learn about Zacharias, the father of John the Baptizer, and witness of Christ. And we see his unbelief despite his righteousness. Yes, it happens. Verse 5 tells us he was a priest and Elizabeth, his wife, was also from the priestly line. They were righteous and obedient. Meaning, they trusted the gospel - they knew they couldn’t be saved by keeping the law, but by trusting God alone for salvation. Because they trusted the promise, they obeyed God. To be clear, they weren’t righteous because they obeyed; but they obeyed because God promised to save them. They believed and were counted righteous. So Zacharias, as a priest, knew the good news of salvation. As a priest ministering in the temple, he knew the significance of sacrifice. And he knew the order of the sacrifices. Only after you offer a burnt offering for your sins, can you offer your grain offering to God. You can’t do good to save yourself, but can do good only after you’re saved. But we learn he and his wife were without child. She was barren and past child-bearing age. But they still served God. They did’t have a pagan mindset; they didn’t serve God for things; but served out of love. This is why they were blameless - godly.

Verse 8 says he served in the temple during his scheduled turn, in the month of Abia - late June and early July. According to the rules, the priests drew lots for their assigned service. And his job was to offer incense at the morning and evening sacrifice. So this is how it went. The 2 silver trumpets would call the people to worship in the morning - at the third hour; then the priests would offer the burnt sacrifice at the bronze altar, accompanied by the singing of psalms by the Levitical choir. Then they washed at the bronze laver. After that they entered the Holy Place to tend to the golden lampstands. Zacharias, who was in charge of offering incense, took coal from the bronze altar with a censer and place it on the golden altar. Then he poured incense on the coal, and prayed to God inside the temple, while the people prayed outside. And we learn in verses 11-12 that as he prayed - “there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.” A priest’s job was to serve God. He should’ve been faithful and believing. But here he wasn’t. Yes, to be startled and afraid at the angel’s appearance was natural. But he doubted what Gabriel said. That’s why in verse 20, he was struck with muteness “because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.” Yes, even the blameless righteous who believe can struggle with unbelief. Even the man in Mark 9 confessed to Jesus, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” But a priest who served in the temple? This shows us the extent of darkness in those times.

Now what did Gabriel tell him? He told him of his son’s high office and humility. He’d have a son, called John - Jochanan in Hebrew - meaning God has shown grace. It’d be a special birth - not only because they were old, but because many would rejoice. He’d be set apart, commissioned by God from conception - and special in God’s sight. He’d be a Nazarite - one appointed specially to serve God; that’s why he’d totally abstain from alcohol and he probably had long hair. And he’d turn many to God. And Gabriel described John’s humble ministry - he’d be like Elias, to prepare the people for the coming of God. Now, as a priest, what should Zacharias have realized? Who else was a Nazarite, born to an old barren woman, and turned the hearts of the people to God? It was Samuel the prophet - the last judge of Israel - who prepared Israel to receive her true king - King David. And here, Zacharias, as priest, should’ve understood the implications. John wouldn’t be just any ordinary prophet. He’d ready the people for Christ - the consolation of Israel - God himself - to come! And this was no ordinary angel speaking. It was Gabriel. He’d appeared to Daniel centuries ago to prophesy the coming of Christ. The fact he described himself as standing in God’s presence showed his readiness to obey. And we see the irony. This great angel was only a humble servant ready to obey. John too would be humble, pointing to the savior. But Zacharias? Instead of believing, he doubted. He questioned how it was possible his old barren wife would have a son. But as priest, he should’ve known it wasn’t impossible! God did it for Sarah, who had Isaac. And Isaac was the father of Jacob - who was called Israel, the prince of God. He also did it also for Hannah - who had Samuel. And Samuel anointed King David. It wasn’t I’m possible for God to provide a child to childless parents. And it wasn’t impossible for God to provide a king. Only this time, God would provide a child who would usher in a greater king - a Greater David, a Greater Jacob - the Prince of Peace. And so because of Zacharias’ unbelief, he was struck mute. As a priest who speaks the gospel, you don’t believe? You won’t speak it; you won’t even speak. And after a week, when his course had run out, he returned home, where Elizabeth conceived. A priest doubted. But beloved, it’s not a remarkable thing that God’s people should doubt. Thomas doubted. Gideon doubted. Moses doubted. We’re weak. And many of God’s people today, still have doubts. But God’s powerful enough to overcome your doubts. But on the other hand, we see someone else who didn’t doubt.

Secondly, the faith and obedience of a servant girl. Verse 26 says that when Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant, Gabriel appeared to Mary - an ordinary but favored woman. She was from Nazareth - not a rich sea port of Galilee, but a small outskirt town near Gentile territory. People in her day didn’t think much about it - “what good can come out of Nazareth” was a common phrase. We learn she was engaged to Joseph, a descendent of King David. Though poor and unknown, the angel said to her - “Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” She was also startled like Zacharias, and afraid because Gabriel told her not to be. But unlike Zacharias, she believed. He told her she’d have a Son and he’d be great. John’s role was great to point to a king, but her Son would be greater; he was that King. Verses 31 onwards say she’d name him Jesus. He’ll be great - the Son of God, a king reigning over Israel forever, whose kingdom shall not fail. Yes, John was Jochanan - the Lord shows grace But Jesus is Yeshua - the Lord saves. How would God show grace? By saving. But Jesus wouldn’t be the set apart servant abstaining from wine, he’d be the infallible sovereign - changing water to wine, drinking the bitter cup of God’s judgment for sinners, so he can drink with them the cup of rejoicing. Those were Gabriel’s words.

But with that, Mary had a legitimate question - “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” verse 34. Now, this wasn’t faithless. Zacharias may have asked a similar question, but he had many examples of barren women bearing children. But never before had a virgin given birth. So Mary’s question was legitimate. And while John’s birth was miraculous, this would be even more. So while Zacharias, a priest couldn’t believe in something that had happened; Mary, a servant girl, believed in something that never happened. When Gabriel explained this supernatural conception by the Holy Spirit - she said in verse 38 - “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” She was humble and obedient. She responded to the Word. And when Gabriel told her of Elizabeth’s unborn child of 6 months, she made haste to visit. Verse 39 - “And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda.” What Gabriel said provoked desire in her to go, in cold December, to the Judean hill, to see the mother of her son’s herald. She likely traveled with pilgrims headed to Jerusalem for the Festival of Lights.

And here, thirdly, we see the praise of a blessed and joyful mother. While Zacharias doubted, Mary and Elizabeth believed. While he was mute, they praised. We see John’s first fulfillment of his role. His role was to point all to Jesus; but he started with his own mother. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, he jumped in her, verse 41. And she being filled with the Spirit shouted - “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” She felt privileged that the mother of the Lord would visit her. Now, how did she know all of this? From the context - when she felt John kick, the Spirit filled her. But the Holy Spirit doesn’t work independently. He reminded her of what she herself knew. Yes, Elizabeth would’ve known from Zacharias - not audibly, but from his writing about what Gabriel had said. She believed. In darkness, she believed. And she rejoiced. There are certain things she knew. In verse 44, she acknowledged who her son was. In verses 42-43, she acknowledged who the baby in Mary’s womb was. Meaning, Jesus was already conceived at her 6 months pregnancy. She acknowledged Mary was the mother of the Lord. And both Mary and she were blessed. And in verse 45, we see her faith. She said all Gabriel said would come to pass. God will show grace to sinners through Jesus - God’s eternal king.

But not only was there praise from this joyful and blessed mother; Mary was also joyful and blessed. While Zacharias was mute from unbelief, Mary praised God. What did he say? From verses 46 to 55, she magnified God and rejoiced in her savior. She acknowledged her sin when she said she needed a savior. She also acknowledged God’s mercy; how he saw her low class, but blessed her with this role of giving birth to the Savior. And in verse 50, she said this mercy was not just for her - but for all who love God. And he’d save them. Friends, we can’t save ourselves. Those who think they can are proud in their minds, verse 51. Only those who humbly go to him are saved. He’ll exalt them and fill them with good things. He’ll keep his promise to save sinners. If you’re humble and acknowledge your sins, he’ll forgive you. Friends, we can only truly rejoice when we believe God’s Word that he’s sent a savior. Our souls can only magnify God when we see ourselves as needy sinners. And this is what Zacharias eventually learned.

Lastly, the praise of a believing and grateful father. We learn Mary stayed 3 months until about March when she returned home after the Feast of Purim with the pilgrims. It would be 6 months until her own labor and delivery. We learn Elizabeth gave birth and John was to be circumcised 8 days later. Both his mother and Zacharias, confirmed that his name should be Jochanan - God shows grace. Zacharias wrote it on a tablet. And this showed his reversal - from doubt and unbelief to faith and obedience to what Gabriel said. And immediately, that muteness was lifted. And he sang. Verse 64 - “And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.” What caused him so much joy? What should cause us so much joy?

In verses 68-79 he praised God because God visited and redeemed his people. The word “visit” shows God cares enough for his people, he’d come to them in their trouble. He doesn’t leave them alone. And he comes to redeem them. Why? They’re slaves and prisoners. So God makes a payment to rescue them. And the Bible says that we’re prisoners of sin. So we need to be redeemed from sin. And we see how. God has raised up a powerful savior from the family of King David. He’s a king. And that’s Jesus - God saves. And this had been promised since the world began; that God would save his people from their sins. As verse 72 says, God would show mercy just as he promised. Jochanan. And those he saves would serve him, not in fear, but out of holiness and righteousness. Sinners, who are saved, love their Savior. And Zacharias had a father’s pride. In verse 76-79, he acknowledged that John would prepare the way for Jesus. That he would preach this way of salvation; and point people to the light of salvation.

So what do we learn here? Friends, the message is simple. Why were these three people so full of praise? Because they understood and believed the message of salvation. We’re not saved by our good works. We’re in darkness; slaves to sin. But God offers to sinful men a strong savior to rescue them from sin, to forgive them of their sin. When we believe, our hearts can be glad. And just as no one can believe without hearing the Word, we need preachers. John came to point people to Christ. We need to believe the preached Word, to see our need for a Savior.

But according to the context, not all 3 of them believed readily. Zacharias took some time. Yes, he understood the gospel - he was a priest! But it took him awhile before he truly believed. In his unbelief, he couldn’t sing. He had no joy. And that’s the same with many of us in this congregation. Many of you understand the gospel - but do you truly let that belief affect your life? Is Christ your all in all? Is the hope he brings of forgiveness, an eternal kingdom, victory over sin - your deep hunger? Yes, many of us struggle - like Zacharias. We’re religious, we serve, we understand - but we don’t always trust the Word. John was sent to call people to repentance, to amend their ways, to prepare for Jesus. And many religious people rejected it. Perhaps you have some love in your life that’s hindering you from truly living out the gospel. There’s some secret sin. There’s some love in the world. And while you may sing in church, you’re not really praising God. Perhaps the Lord is using this Word here, preached to you - it’s God’s grace - Jochanan - to you, that you may once again, turn to your savior. And when you do, you can truly sing.

1. The Doubt and Unbelief of a Praying Priest (5-25)

He was righteous but unbelieving

His son’s humble calling and office

They were pregnant and blessed

2. The Faith and Obedience of a Servant Girl (26-38)

She was ordinary but favored

Her Son’s great calling and office

She was humble and obedient

3. The Praise of a Blessed and Joyful Mother (39-56)

Her son’s first fulfillment of his role

Her spirited praise before her Lord’s mother

Her spirited praise before her Savior

4. The Praise of a Believing and Grateful Father (57-80)

Their son’s birth and circumcision

His reversal to faith and obedience

His spirited prophecy of Jesus and John