Luke 1:5-7
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

These verses, 6 & 7, reveal two important details about Zechariah and Elizabeth.

First, they both were righteous before God. To say they lived blamelessly does not mean they were sinless, but that they loved God and obeyed him, living according to all the commandments and regulations.

Second, they had no children. To ancient readers, this would have seemed like a contradiction. Children were considered to be God’s greatest blessings. Certainly such God-fearing and God-honoring people as Zechariah and Elizabeth should have been blessed with children. But Elizabeth was barren.

Not only that, but Luke adds the detail that they both were getting on in years, meaning they could not expect any change in their situation. In societies like Israel, in which a woman’s value was largely measured by her ability to bear children, to be aging and without children often led to personal hardship and public shame.

For Elizabeth, a childless old age was a painful and lonely time, but during this time she remained faithful to God.

Zechariah and Elizabeth didn’t merely go through the motions of following God’s laws; they backed up their outward obedience with inward obedience.

Unlike the religious leaders whom Jesus called hypocrites, Zechariah and Elizabeth did not stop with the letter of the law.

Does your life reflect careful obedience and high regard for God’s will?

As your life shows your love for God, others will be drawn to Him.