Luke 1:21-23
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. When his time of service was completed, he returned home.

According to The Talmud it was normal for the priest whose duty it was to offer incense to leave the altar as quickly as possible, so as not to accidentally commit some act of sacrilege. But in the this case, completely contrary to custom, the priest “stayed so long in the temple” before returning from the Holy Place.

Finally Zechariah appeared, but he could not pronounce the blessing because he could not speak. The angel’s words had already begun to come true; the sign of fulfillment had taken place in Zechariah’s life.

The crowd could probably see fear staring from the priest’s eyes; he was probably still shaken from his encounter with the angel. At his advanced age he must have looked as if he had “seen a ghost.”

In Jewish tradition, the silent gestures indicated God had acted in a special way. But Zechariah could not tell anyone about it. Zechariah alone knew God was moving forward in His plans to bring the Messiah to His people. But Zechariah would remain silent until his promised and longed-for son arrived.

When have you doubted the reality of God’s wonderful provision for you?

What could God do in a person’s life today that would have as big an impact as the angel’s visit to Zechariah?