Chosen – Advent Lessons from Zechariah.

“One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the LORD and burn incense.” (Luke 1:8-9)

It was Zechariah’s turn to serve as the Temple priest in the Holy of Holies. This didn’t happen very often. In fact, it is probable that this was the first and only time Zechariah ever served. There were historically 24 divisions of priests, and the priest who served in the Temple was chosen by sacred lot.

I am not much of a risk taker. I love to go to Las Vegas for the shows but please don’t ask me to gamble. My heart pounds and my palms sweat at the thought of a friendly game of cards that involves bidding. I just don’t like to take chances. What if I make the wrong choice?

When I read that Zechariah was in the Temple because he’d been chosen by lot it seems to me that a cosmic game of chance happened. Did he draw the short straw? Or is it possible that he was specifically chosen by God? Do you ever wonder if you are specifically chosen by God?

The use of sacred lots in decision-making was the ancient way of ensuring that the decision was God’s and not man’s. For example: The land given to each of the Israelite tribes as they entered their promised land was determined by lot (Num 26), Saul became King by casting of lots (1 Sam 10:19), and the practice of the priests drawing lots to determine who would serve in the Temple, “so that no preference would be shown…” came into being during David’s reign (1 Chr 24:5).

Luke makes a point of saying that Zechariah is chosen by lot because God wants us to know that He specifically picked Zechariah to be the priest on duty in the Temple at that time.

God is preparing to assign an important task to Zechariah and Elizabeth; that of being the parents of John (the Baptist); the prophet who would prepare the way for the Messiah. Zechariah and Elizabeth are old; way past the natural ability of having children. Zechariah himself doubts God’s choice. But God is not confined by human limitations. According to God, they are the perfect choice.

Zechariah’s doubt about his age was loud. When he voiced it, God, in His wisdom, caused Zechariah to be mute. At first, this seems harsh, but God would not permit Zechariah’s doubts to speak more loudly than the promise.

Zechariah left the Temple mute and with a choice. Would he believe what God said or not? He decided to lean into God despite all of the reasons why it seemed crazy.

• He went home and had sexual relations with his wife.
• Elizabeth, in her old age, became pregnant.
• The promised son is born.
• Bucking all tradition, Elizabeth tells her community the baby’s name will be John.
• Zechariah, with a heart full of the kept promises of the Lord, affirms: His name in John. With this act of faith, believing the unbelievable, Zechariah steps squarely in the will of God and his tongue is loosened. His doubts are gone.

Zechariah’s response? To sing a song of praise to God!

We need to love this story because it is our story.

Sometimes we struggle to believe that God can or will choose us. We think we are too old or too young or not educated enough. We see ourselves in terms of our shortcomings. We second-guess God’s judgment and decision. We convince ourselves that we cannot be the perfect choice.

Zechariah’s story becomes our story because it is about being chosen despite, or maybe because of, our “shortcomings”, not assigned because of our strengths. It resonates deep within us the same insecurities we have about being called by God.

It tells us that we can voice our loud doubts and I think it assures us that God will take steps to silence our doubts so that we can focus on leaning into His promise.

We have the same choice to make. Will we believe that God knows what He’s doing when He deems us the perfect choice or not?

What has God chosen you for that you are struggling to believe? Take a moment and list all of the reasons why God must be mistaken. Go ahead. Voice your doubt. Ask your Savior to silence those doubts. Might I encourage you to be like Zechariah and lean into God? Do one thing that affirms you believe you are the perfect choice because God says you are.

Blessings,

Denise

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