Often the names of characters in the Bible have a specific meaning, perhaps relevant to something in their lives. Zechariah the priest, father of John the Baptist, is no exception. Zechariah’s name means: “God Remembers.” We see God “remembering” in two ways in Zechariah’s life.

 

First, God is remembering Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth who remain childless at what the Bible describes as a “very old” age (Luke 1:7), by giving them a son. The angel Gabriel meets Zechariah in an area of the Temple reserved for priests, and gives him a message:

 

 

Secondly, we see God remembering His promise to His people to send them a Savior. Zechariah knows his son John is being called to be the forerunner of Christ and to point people to Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. So as soon as John is born, Zechariah proclaims a long “song” of praise extolling the faithfulness of God in remembering His people and fulfilling His promises. This section of Scripture in Luke 1:68-79, is known as Zechariah’s Song and is sometimes used in the traditional liturgical service of Matins as the Benedictus. Here’s a short excerpt where we see Zechariah proclaim how God has remembered His people:

 

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. … and to remember his holy covenant” – Luke 1:68, 72

 

What’s interesting to note is what transpired between Luke 1:13 and Luke 1:68. You see, when the angel told Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth was going to have a son, Zechariah responded in disbelief:

 

 

For someone whose name means “God remembers,” he seems surprised, doesn’t he? Has he forgotten how God brought children into the lives of the barren wives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? God may have a long memory, but Zechariah’s seems short.

 

The truth is, we worship a God that always remembers. More than that, when He remembers, He acts! That’s important, right? If I just remember our wedding anniversary, but do nothing about it, my wife doesn’t really consider that remembering. And just as I would be insulted if my wife were surprised that I remembered our anniversary, God is not pleased when we act surprised at his faithfulness.

 

So the angel Gabriel takes away Zechariah’s ability to speak until John is born. But when John is born, Zechariah makes up for lost time, and uses his first mouthful of words to proclaim a beautiful song of praise!

 

Shouldn’t that be our response to our faithful God who not only remembers, but acts in faithfulness to His promises? Rather than be surprised at God’s goodness, we should be anticipating it with a confident hope! We should reflect our expectation of God’s faithful action in our prayers, in our words to others, and even in our own actions! That’s why the Apostle Paul encourages the Christians at Rome, and us:

 

 

Zechariah, once he’s able to speak, clearly expresses this confident hope in God’s faithfulness through the Holy Child who will be born to Mary. May we do the same this Advent season, and always.

 

Trusting in God’s faithfulness,

Pastor Augie.