Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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ANNUNCIATION TO ZACHARIAH

Luke 1:1-25
Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.

(Luke 1:6)
The birth of St. John, the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ is also the preparatory event for the birth of our Lord. God had selected a dedicated priestly couple to give birth and to nurture that child. We are introduced to a man by the name Zechariah, a priest taking his turn at serving in the temple. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appears to him. The angel assures him. “You’re going to have a baby! A son, He will be great in the sight of the Lord," (Luke 1:15.). Let’s meditate upon how can a child become Great in the sight of the Lord, as announced to Zechariah the priest.

The Role of Model Parents: We learn in verse 6, that both Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were considered "righteous in the sight of God". The word "righteousness," is a state marked by the most careful and consistent obedience of the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. We infer then, that Zechariah was a genuine believer of God and also a well-instructed and upright man who Luke describes as "walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord"(v.6). In addition to that, Zechariah is described as being "advanced in years"(v.7), meaning that he was probably considered to be among the most experienced priests of his time. He and his wife Elizabeth are portrayed as devout, and now getting up there in years. Zechariah and Elizabeth are model spouses; (v6). Only model spouses could make model parents. They are role models of parents because they brought up their child in Lord's discipline.

The Role of Christian Discipline: To become great in the sight of God, a disciplined Christian life is essential. For this, the family of Zechariah gave priority and submitted themselves before the will of God. The life of John the Baptist is the best illustration of this discipline. Wealth, high influence, leadership, admiration from others, etc are often considered as signs of greatness. Pharisees bore a bad label on them as lovers of power, position and craving for honors from public. Jesus called such people as hypocrites and taught the disciples not to imitate them (Luke 14:7). Parents wish that their children should grow up healthy, intelligent, courteous and blameless. Parents' basic responsibility is to bring up children in Lord's discipline; if they fail in that they fail in all other aspects. People seldom distinguish greatness in the sight of the Lord and in the sight of the world. Home ought to be a miniature church where prayer, hymn, bible reading, virtuous conduct; compassion, charity and kindness are a routine. From there emerges a child with greatness in the sight of the God.

Prayer: Lord, help us to dedicate ourselves as role models of Christian Parenting by nurturing a disciplined spiritual life. Amen.

Rev Ansan Thomas, Melbourne, Australia















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