Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-25)
Luke 1:5-25 – Zechariah and Elizabeth: The Unlikely Beginning
The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is one of longing, faith, and the beauty of God’s timing. Their lives, seemingly ordinary, are about to be intertwined with a divine narrative that will change the course of history.
In this post, I will explore key moments from Luke 1:5-25 that shape their story and we will see what they can teach us about trusting God in the face of unanswered prayers and the unexpected.
Luke 1:5-7 – Zechariah and Elizabeth: Righteous Yet Childless
The Gospel of Luke introduces Zechariah and Elizabeth as a faithful couple who have longed for a child but faced the heartache of infertility. Despite their righteousness, they were childless—a circumstance that would have brought shame and social stigma in their culture. On top of that - personal heartbreak. Luke emphasizes their faithfulness to God, calling them “righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly” (Luke 1:6).
Following the Lord faithfully does not shield us from pain or unmet desires. They were not immune to life's disappointments, but their righteousness remained steadfast. Their faith is commendable and encourages us to keep walking with God, even when we don't understand why our prayers have not been answered yet.
Luke 1:8-10 – Zechariah’s Temple Service
Zechariah’s story takes a turn when he is chosen by lot to enter the temple and offer incense to God. What I love about being chosen by lot is the belief that God is in charge. Whatever befalls or whoever is chosen, it's done on purpose.
Serving in the temple was a high honor, and for Zechariah, it was a moment of both duty and privilege. We must remember that Zechariah goes into a concealed area to offer incense. The people are outside praying, unable to see him, awaiting his return. This was an "ordinary sacred moment," but one that would turn into an encounter with the divine.
We never know when God will work during the ordinary moments. Zechariah's serve was a planned event - part of a routine. Yet, it became a moment when God chose to reveal something monumental. Similarly, our daily routines may be the very spaces where God is about to act. That's why regular times of prayer, quiet, meditation, and worship are so important.
Psalm 141:2
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
Luke 1:11-13 – The Angel Gabriel Appears to Zechariah
As Zechariah is performing his duties, something extraordinary happens: an angel appears to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. Imagine this!
Zechariah expects to be alone. Zechariah is startled and gripped with fear. But the angel reassures him, saying, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John” (Luke 1:13, NIV).
This is shocking! Not only did an angel appear, but the angel tells Zechariah that his prayer has been answered. He's going to be a daddy! Zechariah had prayed for a child for years, but now, when it seemed too late, God was answering.
Luke 1:14-17 – John’s Prophetic Role
The angel continues, explaining the incredible role that John would play. He would not just be any child—he would be a prophet of the Most High, going before the Lord to prepare the way for Jesus. The angel quotes the prophecy from Malachi, saying, “And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous” (Luke 1:17, NIV). John’s mission was clear: he would prepare Israel for the coming of their Messiah.
John's life was not just about being a child to Zechariah and Elizabeth; it was about a divine purpose that stretched beyond their own lives. They needed to parent him toward that purpose. All Christian parents would do well to remember that we are raising our children for the purposes God has for them. Unlike Zechariah and Elizabeth, we do not know the exactly details, but we do know that even when our lives feel like they are ordinary, we are part of God's extraordinary plan.
Luke 1:18-20 – Zechariah’s Doubt
Despite the angel's overwhelmingly positive message, Zechariah struggles with doubt. He questions the angel, asking, "How can I be sure of this?"
I mean, shouldn't he be convinced by the angel appearing to him while he is burning incense in the temple in Jerusalem?
"I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." (1:18) In other words, I know the biology involved and I just don't see how it's going to happen for either of us.
The angel's response is sharp, and Zechariah is struck mute for his lack of faith until the prophecy comes to pass.
Now, imagine having the best news you could ever have and never be able to tell anyone about it!
Even faithful people can struggle with disbelief, especially when God's promises seem too impossible or too good to be true. Doubt is a natural human response to the miraculous, but it does not negate God's faithfulness.
Shall we be honest? It really is difficult to trust God, especially when it doesn't make sense to do so. Yet, God doesn't need our understanding to fulfill the promises, but God does invite us to trust and enjoy the relationship.
Luke 1:21-23 – Zechariah Explains
The first question Zechariah was likely to face as he exited the temple was, "What took you so long?" Yet, when he emerged from the temple, he couldn't speak and that amazed the people. Perhaps after wild gesticulation they realized he had seen a vision or had an encounter that they could only imagine.
What could his muteness mean? It's ironic, isn't it? That his muteness means his son is going to announce the arrival of the greatest news ever told.
Luke 1:24-25 – Elizabeth’s Joy and Praise
Finally, Elizabeth conceives and praises God for taking away her shame. She exclaims, “The Lord has done this for me. In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people” (Luke 1:25).
The reader joins Elizabeth in her happiness. Her joy is a profound response to God’s grace, as she sees not only the fulfillment of her long-awaited prayer but also the end of a deep personal shame and distress.
God continually brings about reversals. Reversals is a theme in the gospel of Luke. Resurrection comes after the cross. The kingdom of inclusion occurs within a society of shadow people. Jesus will tell parables of reversals: a despised Samaritan will become the hero, the younger prodigal is embraced instead of shunned, the last shall be first and the first shall be last. The lowly are lifted, the powerful are brought low, and God scatters the proud, says Mary in our next story as she too is visited and told wonder news of her future child. What had once been a source of shame and disappointment becomes a reason for praise.
Conclusion: Trusting God When We Don’t Understand
The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is a powerful reminder that God’s promises are always faithful, even when we doubt or don’t see immediate answers. Their story is one of waiting, of trusting, and of God’s miraculous provision in the most unexpected ways. Zechariah and Elizabeth’s lives speak to the fact that God’s plan is often much larger than we can see in our own limited perspective.
In moments of unanswered prayer, we can follow their example—continuing to trust God’s timing, even when we face disappointment or difficulty. The birth of John the Baptist marked the beginning of God’s great work of salvation through Jesus Christ, and it serves as a reminder that God often begins with the small, the humble, and the unexpected. Just as Zechariah and Elizabeth’s faithfulness paved the way for John, so our faithfulness, even in the midst of trials, can be part of God’s unfolding plan.
Just as John was set apart for a specific purpose, so are we. Our lives, though ordinary, are part of God’s extraordinary story. God is faithful and good and we are blessed.
