by Gene Cline <revgenecline@nwonline.net>

Hi, Thank You. Yes Elizabeth and little John are doing quite well.

Well, if its difficult for you to imagine me changing diapers, imagine how hard it is for me. I don’t know if the reason for my hands shaking is my age, or my utter amazement that I, old Zechariah, am now a Father.

Oh well, Thank You. Yes I’ll give your regards to Elizabeth.

I’m a Father. Can you believe that? The baby is just two years old now. It’s amazing the difference a few years can make.

Why, it was almost two years ago to this very day that I received unbelievable news. It occurred when I was doing my priestly duty in the temple.

Though I come to the temple at my appointed time of service each year, each year I had a different duty to perform. Only once in every priest’s life could he be chosen to be the priest who offers the prayers of intercession for the people. Some never receive that honor and privilege. On that day almost two years ago the duty, the privilege, fell upon me. This was to be my holy day: the day when I, Zechariah, would offer the morning and evening prayers of intercession for the people’s sins.

I came to the temple early that morning adorned in my finest and purest white linen robe. Before I entered the holy area of the temple, I covered my head, and removed my shoes. Only then was I able to enter the presence of the Lord’s altar. Once there I lit the incense, and watched as its aromatic smoke rose to the ceiling of the temple. There it seemed to linger for a moment and then it disappeared.

When the incense vapors disappear from view, we believe they have ascended into the very presence of God. When that moment arrives we are to recite the words, "O Lord, our God, as thy incense has ascended now before thee, now let the prayers of your people Israel come before your holy throne."

I’ve talked to other priests concerning their emotions when it was their turn to say those words. They told me of the tremendous sense of obligation and responsibility they felt when they performed this act. But that was all they had experienced. That was all.

With bowed head, I said the words. "O Lord, our God, as thy incense has ascended now before thee, now let the prayers of your people Israel come before your holy throne."

I felt the burden the others had talked about. It was overwhelming.

Before opening my eyes, I turned to walk away from the altar. As I solemnly opened my eyes, the altar room seemed so much brighter. At first I thought it must be from some of the incense that had suddenly caught fire. But there was no smoke. There was no smell of fresh burning incense. What could be the source of this light? I turned back to the altar.

And there he was. At least I assume it was a he. I’m not really sure of that, but I am sure of what I saw. I saw an angel of the Lord. I not only saw an angel, but I heard this angel talk to me, Zechariah. I heard, but yet I could not understand.

"Your prayer has been answered, Zechariah." the angel said.

"What prayer?" I asked. "The prayers for intercession for the people?"

"Yes those prayers, and so much more Zechariah," the angel replied. "God has heard your prayer and has answered your prayer."

"What prayer? I’m an old man. I’ve offered many prayers to God. Of what prayer do you speak?"

"Your prayer for a son has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord."

But that was not all the angle said.

He said my son must never drink wine or strong drink. Even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before them, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Do you know how many times I prayed that prayer for a son? Not a prophet, mind you, but just a boy. Why, the clearest star-filled night has fewer stars than the number of times I have prayed that prayer. And now when I’m old, when all the signs of life say, "No," now this angel tells me God has heard my prayer.

And my son, the son of Zechariah, is to be a prophet to lead the people back to God! Why, we haven’t had a prophet in Israel in four hundred years. And now Israel’s long awaited prophet is to be my son!!! "It’s more than impossible," I thought.

So in an indignant tone I exclaimed to the angel, "How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years."

Let me tell you, one should never speak to God’s messenger in such a disrespectful tone. I didn’t speak again for nine months, until my son was circumcised and his name was bestowed upon him. You see, his name is John.

So then all you people, learn from me. Learn well the lesson my silence and the birth of my son have taught me.

You see, I thought I had long outlived my prayer for a son. I had long ago retracted that prayer. I had for a thousand times excused God, the Hearer of prayer, for not hearing and answering my prayer.

I had long ago seen the wisdom, so I thought, in why Elizabeth and I should end our days together childless.

Why, even if it were possible for us to have a child, I was not willing to be plunged back at this time of my life into all the anxieties, uncertainties, dangers, and responsibilities of fatherhood.

I had reconciled myself that my prayer was not to be heard. So I decided within myself, "Let me redirect my prayers and look for better, surer, more steadfast, and far more satisfying things. The will of the Lord has been done. We are to be childless and who are we to question the motives of God."

Yet that is just the point. Who am I to question the motives of God? For I have learned that in all my confusion my prayer had been heard all along.

All those long years of prayer, and waiting, and ceasing from prayer, and turning to other things - All that time my prayer had been heard by God and the answer was at hand. God had not failed to answer my prayer, but was only waiting for the best time for the answer to be sent down.

So then all you people, learn from me. Learn well the lesson my silence and the birth of my son have taught me.

Pray on. All of you that are disappointed or impoverished, pray on and do not faint.

Pray on: for your prayer is far better than the answer. And besides, your answer may all the time be as ready as mine was.

Your prayers and the prayers of other people may be so intertwined that you may have to wait till their prayers, their preparations, and their providences are all as ripe and ready as you are to receive your prayer’s answer. Elizabeth and I were ready a long time ago, but others weren’t ready. Why, for many of our years praying for a son, Elizabeth’s cousin, Mary, was still years from being born.

It is Mary and Joseph and their baby son who are at our home. They are stopping for overnight rest on their unexpected journey to Egypt.

You see, Elizabeth and I were ready a long time ago, but Mary and Joseph were not ready. They were still beginners in the faith and in prayer. And thus it was that without knowing, Elizabeth, John and I had to wait in the hill country of Hebron until Joseph and Mary were made ready for the Divine Presentation and for their prayer way north in Nazareth. Our prayers were intertwined with the prayers for the Messiah. We had to wait, and now my son, John, will prepare his way.

Prayers are always heard. Answers will always come. In God’s time, and in God’s fashion. Pray expectantly, but always pray.

Well, I must get back to my house. I’ve got company, who deserve better attention. Yes and without a doubt, these old shaky hands have diapers to change.