December 1930
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
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in his lifetime. It was, then, to Zachar ias a very great day. ,Y. 10. The people were praying. The reference to a multitude indicates that this incident occured either on a Sab bath or on some great feast day. The “hour of incense” may have been either in the early morning or in the evening. The incense typified the prayers which were ascending to God from the multi tude o f. worshipers not only in the outer courts but in all parts o f the land. II. Birth o f John Foretold (11-17). | V. 11. Appeared Unto him Jan angel. Luke dwells frequently on the ministry of angels (cf. 1 :26; 2:9, 13, 21; 12:8; 15: 10; .16:22; 22:43 ; 24:4, 23), This angel is named Gabriel (cf. vs. 19, 26). Only two angels or archangels are named in Scripture: Michael, who is sent with messages of wrath and judgment (cf. Dan. 10:21),., and Gabriel, who always brings messages of mercy and peace (cf. Dan. 8:16; 9:21-23). Since Jesus is the Son of God; it was to be expected that heavenly messengers woulej attend Him throughout His earthly life,; : V. 12. Zacharias was troubled. Super natural appearances.always produce such an effect (cf. 2:9; Mk. 16:8; Rev. 1:17). V. 13. Fear not, Zacharias. “The first utterance o f the dawn of the Gospel.” Luke ends his story with the description of the apostles “blessing and praising God.” The coming of the Lord Jesus meant the banishment of all fear to those who trusted in Him. No fear of judg ment or of death need trouble the child o f God (cf. Heb. 2:14; John 5:24). Thy supplication is heard. More accurately, “was heard,” suggesting that Zacharias had just been praying—perhaps that he might have a son, or possibly telling out his desire for the coming o f Messiah. Shall : bear thee a son . , This promise seemed impossible o f fulfillment because of Elisabeth’s age, but Zacharias trusted in God with whom all things are possible (Matt. 19:26). Shall call his name John. The name means “Jehovah is gracious” or “the favor of Jehovah.” V. 14. Joy and gladness. The latter is a strong word; it expresses exultant joy (cf. 1 Pet. 1 :6). This great joy came not merely because a son was received in a childless home, but because he was to be one who would bring blessing to many other homes and hearts in Israel. There fore, many would “rejoice at his birth.” V. 15. Great in the sight of the Lord. This is true greatness. No one is-actual- ly aiiy' greater than he is in Gocl’s sight. Drink ho wine. He was to be a Nazirite to whom strong drink was forbidden. This abstinence was a mark of separation and consecration (cf. Num. 6:1-4; Lev. 10:8). Filled with the Holy Spirit. In stead of the false stimulation by strong drink, he was to have spiritual exaltation by the Holy Spirit. The same contrast
January 4, 1931 The Birth of John the Baptist Lesson : Luke 1. (Lesson Text-. Luke 1 :8-17, 80.) Golden Text: “Yea and thou child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High: For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways” (Lk. 1: 76). i * * * L e s s o n i n O u t l in e I. Zacharias and the Temple (8-10). 1. His office—priesthood. 2. His special privilege—ministry in the holy place. II. Birth o f John Foretold (11-17). 1. The herald—angel of the Lord . (11; cf. 19, 26). ' 2. The reassuring word—“ fpar not” (13). 3. The promise of a son (13-15). a. His significant name—John ( “Jehovah is gracious” ) (i.3): • b. H is character— “ g r e a t” ; S “filled with the Holy Spirit” (15). c. His ministry and its effect (14-17). (1) Bringing joy and glad ness. (14). (2) Turning many o f Is rael to the Lord (16). (3) Announcing the com ing of Messiah (17). John’s Growth and Training (80). * * * A p p r o a c h to t h e L e s s o n 'J'HE Gospel of Luke, in which the les- 1 sons for the next six months will be found, has marked characteristics. The following may be noted. (1) It gives an orderly account of the events o f the life o f Christ (cf. 1:1-4). (2) It is the gos pel of the Son of man, as the Gospel of John is the gospel of the Son of God. It gives the most complete account of the birth and childhood o f Jesus. It shows His dependence upon the Father, main tained in a life of prayer. It reveals Him as a man among men with tender sym- • pathy and love toward all who need Him. (3) It is is the gospel of salvation through Christ. This is in accord with the title of our lessons for this period, “Jesus, the World’s Saviour.” It shows Him as a Saviour reaching out to Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles. The world’s outcasts wete ever welcomed by Him. (4) ‘ Six miracles are peculiar to this gospel: the miraculous draught of fishes; the healing o f the man with the dropsy; the healing, o f the two lepers; the healing of Malchus; and the raising of the widow’s ,son at Nain. (5) Luke alone -gives these eleven striking parables: the two debtors; the importunate III.
friend; the rich fool; the lost piece of sil ver; the barren fig tree; the unjust stew ard; the unjust judge; the Pharisee and the Publican; the good Samaritan; Dives and Lazarus; and the prodigal son. (6) It contains some of .Christ’s severest de nunciations o f the ungodly rich and of religious hypocrites. (7) It is a gospel o f joy. Some o f the most wonderful Christian songs are found here alone. The coming of the forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist, was foretold by Malachi (4:5, 6). He was the last and the great est of the prophets and the Connecting link between the old and the new dispen sations. John the Baptist was born about six months before Jesus, near the close of the reign of Herod the Great. His parents were both of priestly decent; Both were pious worshipers' of Jehovah, look ing for'the coming of Messiah. * ■ * *■ . . ' H e a r t : of t h e L e sso n I. ZacHarias and the Temple (8-10). V. 8. Executed the .priest's office'. It it •said that • there were perhaps about 20,000-priests •at that time. They were divided into twenty-four divisions or to enter. The special duties o f each priest were determined by the. drawing of lots. ■Zacharias -received by lot the duty of enteringr, into the .sanctuary and burning incense. The Greek word translated “temple” means the holy place of the temple, not the whole structure. This -sanctuary was immediate ly in front o f the veil which separated be tween the holy place and the holy -of ho lies. . None but priests were permitted to enter the holy place. Because o f the great number of priests, it is said that it could not fall to the lot of any one of them to have this privilege o f .minister ing at the altar o f incense more than once ..courses, each course serving for a week in the temple. V. 9. His lot was
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