Luke 1:5–17

content/bible_journal/luke_1:5-17.md

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+title = "Luke 1:5–17"
+date = "2022-10-16"
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+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk1.5-17)
+
+Luke's account begins with a priest. This priest, Zechariah, and his wife
+Elizabeth are blameless and upright before the Lord, and yet they have no
+children. This is an important detail, because to first-century Jews this would
+be a contradiction. But then Zechariah is chosen for a special priestly duty.
+On this particular day, he is chosen at random to be the one to burn incense
+before the Lord while everyone else prays outside the temple. While he is doing
+this, an angel appears beside the incense altar and tells him he and his wife
+will have a son in their old age. But he isn't just any child, but one that is
+full of the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will go forth and prepare
+the people of Israel for the Lord who is coming into their midst.
+
+The angel mentions that John will come in the spirit and power of Elijah.
+Today, when Jews celebrate Passover, they set an extra place for Elijah because
+he is prophesied to come back at any point (_Mal 3:1, 4:5_), and they want to
+be ready in case he comes to their house. However, the angel and, later, Jesus
+identify John as the fulfillment of this prophecy.
+
+* * *
+
+We toss the dice or flip the coin, but You determine the outcome, O Lord. You
+rule sovereignly over every detail of our lives.