Luke 1 v 5-25 Luke 1 57-80 Zechariah
(Click the links to get to the passages)
Even though Zechariah was a priest of
The Lord, who loved him and followed him blamelessly, he was gripped with fear
when the angel of The Lord appeared. The opening words are reflected many times
across the Bible - "do not be afraid". The angel then continues to
explain the amazing news he brings, and that the path for the Saviour was being
laid in place.
When we find ourselves powerfully in
the presence of God, if our response is fear we are in good company. But
hear again the words of the angel - and of Jesus himself: "Do not be
afraid". However, be careful that our response is not unbelieving like
that of Zechariah. He had been praying for what the angel had come to announce
("your prayer has been heard" - v13), but then asked for reassurance
when the answer came. Let us be persistent in our prayers, but also quick to
rejoice when the answers come.
Merciful Lord,
absolve your people from their offences,
that through your bountiful goodness
we may all be delivered from the chains of those sins
which by our frailty we have committed;
grant this, heavenly Father,
for Jesus Christ's sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour.
absolve your people from their offences,
that through your bountiful goodness
we may all be delivered from the chains of those sins
which by our frailty we have committed;
grant this, heavenly Father,
for Jesus Christ's sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour.
No comments:
Post a Comment