Sermon -- Mid-Week Advent – 1st Wednesday (December 6, 2017)

LUKE 1:18-20

TO WHOM DOES JESUS COME?

With Proof to Him Who Doubts.

In the name + of Jesus.

     In the city of Jerusalem, the priests from the division of Abijah were taking their turn to serve at the temple for the month.  In this division was a priest named Zechariah.  Zechariah had been reporting with the division of Abijah for service at the temple since he was twenty years old.  In all those years, the lot had never fallen to him to go into the Holy Place to make the sacrifice at the altar of burnt incense.  It was late in his life that the lot finally fell to Zechariah.  God's timing had come for the Christ to enter into the world.
     When Zechariah was burning incense in the Holy Place, the angel Gabriel appeared to him on the right side of the altar, just in front of the curtain which covered the Holy of Holies.  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 he will go before [the Lord] 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 1:13,17)  In fulfillment of the Old Testament prophets, Zechariah would be the father of the forerunner of the Christ.  Elizabeth, who had been barren, would give birth in her later years.  This is the word of the Lord.
     Zechariah was confused.  Zechariah did not believe the angel's words.  I suppose today's skeptics would applaud Zechariah for not being a fool.  If we saw a YouTube video in which two senior citizens popped a balloon to announce the gender of their unborn child, we would never believe it was their child.  We would assume they were doing it for a grandchild.  Or we would assume it was a joke.  We would not think they had any announcements to make for themselves.  Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this?” (Luke 1:18)  Zechariah did not believe it either.
     To whom does Jesus come?  With proof to him who doubts.  Zechariah wanted a sign.  He demanded proof to know that the angel's words were true.  God granted Zechariah his sign, but the sign also proved to be judgment against Zechariah.  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.” (Luke 1:19-20)  
     We might consider the judgment against Zechariah to be harsh.  Could you really blame him for being a skeptic?  In word: Yes.  Consider the scene again.  Zechariah was a priest on duty, serving the Lord in his temple.  Zechariah entered into the Holy Place, as close as he was allowed to get to the presence of God.  The Lord sent his angel to Zechariah in that temple.  He did not come to Zechariah in a dream at his house.  He was not some mysterious voice in the dark.  God had sent an angel to Zechariah during the prayer service of Israel.  Israel's prayer was that God would send his Messiah.  As Zechariah was making this petition, the angel Gabriel came in answer to it.  God's angel came to God's temple to tell God's priest that God's Messiah would come.  And Zechariah and Elizabeth would be the parents of John, the forerunner of the Christ.  The Savior, Jesus, was coming.
     To whom does Jesus come?  With proof to him who doubts.  Zechariah had asked for a sign to prove that the Lord's word was true.  Zechariah received both a sign and a judgment—he was made mute until the Lord's word would be fulfilled.
     To whom does Jesus come?  With proof to him who doubts.  Our sinful flesh often causes us to doubt God's word.  Like Zechariah, we make observations about our life and circumstances, and we judge God according to those.  Zechariah doubted God's word with his excuses: “Elizabeth is barren.  We're too old.”  We doubt God's word with our judgments.  When we and our loved ones are healthy, we believe that God is good.  When we are successful and do not stress over finances, we believe God is love.  When we are delivered from stress and trouble, we believe that God is merciful.  But when we face hardship, when blessings are withdrawn, when we are put through an emotional wringer, we doubt God's word.  We doubt that God is good or merciful or loving because we don't see or feel an easier life than we expect. 
     To whom does Jesus come?  With proof to him who doubts.  Zechariah doubted a very specific God-given promise.  It is important that we understand what God promises and what God does not.  God does promise to give us each day our daily bread. (Matthew 6:31-32)  He does not promise large reserves in our bank account.  God promises that he will work out all things for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28)  He does not promise life will be easy, or that we will understand how he will work out our hardships for our good.  God promises to meet all our needs in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)  He does not say that whatever you think YOU need he will give.  We often hold God accountable for promises he did not make.  When these are not fulfilled, it is our fault for not knowing God's promises.  We not only fault God for promises he did not make, we doubt the promises he did make.  Repent.
     To whom does Jesus come?  With proof to him who doubts.  Zechariah doubted the word of the Lord, but God's mercy did not depend on Zechariah's faithfulness.  God is faithful to his promises.  He had promised to send a Messiah and his forerunner.  God's word stood, even if Zechariah doubted it.  John was born of an old-ages barren woman.  The Savior came after John.  And the Savior atoned for Zechariah's sin.
     Jesus comes for us for the same reason.  God's faithfulness is not weakened by our weaknesses.  We suffer for our own weaknesses and doubting.  We inflict ourselves with grief and worry and fear when we doubt God's promises.  But Jesus Christ comes for you, and he comes with proof to him who doubts.  He comes to bring forgiveness to you for your doubts, fears, and worries, even for weak faith or misguided faith.  As it was with Zechariah, so it is with you.  Jesus comes for you with proof of God's love.  That proof is seen in Jesus' sufferings and death.  He suffered for your sins.  He became weak for your weakness.  He faithfully fulfilled his role as the atoning sacrifice for your misguided faith and doubts.  That payment stands, and God is faithful to forgive all who believe in Jesus.   It is not the strength or sincerity or perfection of your faith with saves you.  You don't have faith in your faith.  Rather, it is the faithfulness of God to his own promises which saves you.  It is Jesus' atoning sacrifice which covers your sin and guilt.  And for the sake of your faith and for the consolation of your soul, the Lord proclaims to you again and again through his minister: “I forgive you.  Fear not; you are mine.”
     To whom does Jesus come?  With proof to him who doubts.  Zechariah was not the only skeptic in Jerusalem.  The elders and the priests also demanded a sign from Jesus, but Jesus would not perform for them.  Old Testament promises should have been enough to prove that the kingdom of God had come to them in the person of Jesus.  Still, Jesus gave one proof: He would rise from the dead.  Either he is risen or he is dead.  If he is dead, Jesus is a liar and a fraud.  But Jesus is risen!  He lives, and therefore, he is the Messiah.  He is your Savior.  His word is sure.  His promises stand.  Your forgiveness is real.  Your salvation is certain. 
     To whom does Jesus come?  He comes for you.  Even if your faith is weak, God's word is solid.  Whether your life is going fine or your world is a mess, your Father in heaven is good and merciful.  Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection are the proof.  I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. (Luke 1:19)  God is faithful.  His word is fulfilled.  Your Savior has come. 

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.