Tough Assignments

They didn't have an easy assignment. We celebrate them now, but it wasn't easy being them. If they could have, they would have written the script of their lives differently. Yet, they were to eventually discover that they were part of a much greater story line; it was not theirs to determine their own roles.

No doubt, Zechariah and Elizabeth had longed for children for a lifetime. Decades came and went with hopes unfulfilled. Disappointment became a familiar guest in their home. Yet, they clung to their God and lived lives that were upright in His sight (Luke 1:6). Their prayers for a family seemed to be met with silence but this silence did not stop them from serving Him. They would obey and serve the One they could neither control nor fully understand.

With one announcement, their lives were completely altered. The angel Gabriel was sent to declare the good news: the barren, elderly couple would become the parents of the forerunner of the Messiah. Their decades of disappointment suddenly had meaning. They had been uniquely chosen for a significant task. The story line was being revealed and they finally saw their place in it (1:13).

Certainly there were times of great joy. A child! A son! A miracle! Upon receiving back the ability to speak, Zechariah declared, "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people" (1:68). What a pleasure and honor it must have been to raise this chosen child.

Yet, life is life--no matter how chosen we are. Here they were, perhaps 60 or even 80 years old, trying to keep up with a strong-willed six year old. How many times were they asked, "Is this your grandson?" How many times did they have to think, "There is a good reason God gives children to most couples when they are still young. Why didn't He give us this child when we still had energy and strong backs?"

We never hear of Zechariah and Elizabeth in the Scripture after John's birth in Luke 1.What happened to them? We have no way of knowing, but consider the possibilities. Option One: They died at a normal age, thus not living to see the fulfillment of the promise regarding their son as John doesn't begin his ministry until some 30 years later. Option Two: They lived to a very old age and endured the incredible grief of knowing that their son died a sudden and senseless death (Mark 6).

I think Option One is the most likely. They were already "well along in years" (Luke 1:7) when the story begins. And, at some point as he grew up, John chose the desert as his home (1:80). It is my assumption that the couple doesn't live long enough to see the fulfillment of the promise they had received about their son, "Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God" (1:16). God gave them a major part in the unfolding drama of His salvation plan, but they disappear from the script well before the wonderful scenes of their son's baptisms and the Messiah's miracles. They had a part to play and then they passed from the scene.

So it is for all of us. If we become entirely focused on our little part in God's unfolding drama, we may become discouraged. Some assignments aren't easy. Some of us would like to re-write our part in the script. Yet, models like Zechariah and Elizabeth testify to us that it is possible to stay faithful to God for a lifetime, even when it doesn't play out the way we hoped.

Holy Lord, Help me to remember today that I am part of a much bigger story than just my own life. Thank you that you have included me in your eternal plan. I accept the role you have given me and ask for strength to carry it out well. Thank you that it all leads to something so very beautiful and glorious--eternity with you in heaven. It is an honor to be your child. In the name of Jesus, Amen.